Private companies running classes in state schools, DD can't go because we are poor, AIBU to complain??

[PollyPeppa]

We are below the poverty line as we have 3 DC's and DH and I are full time uni students. We worked in low paid jobs and decided enough was enough and are now hoping to get better ones after university.

DD's school had just started up after school Spanish club. We sent her along to the trial session and she loved it. We had foolishly assumed there would be a concessionary rate (as there usually is with after school clubs) but there is not as it is run by a private company so we can't afford for her to go again.

I feel this is very unfair to offer this as only children whose parents can afford to send them can go, I think it creates a divide in the 'state' system.

Opinionatedmum most children do not attend after school classes. Some will be rich, some poor and most inbetween.

So, you think the rioters all did so because they were deprived of Spanish lessons?

My kids have ponies and skiing and a nice house. But they don't have an x box or a dad that is home every night for dinner at five ( because he works long hours) or designer clothes or a playstation or a Wii.
But other kids do.

The schools don't have the money because successive governments have adopted neo liberal economic policies and supported the interests of the City in preference to supporting public services. No, I don't subscribe to 'the sky is falling' theory of deficit and debt. There was a teensy debt after WW2 but we still created the NHS. Perfectly respectable Keynesianism.

aliceliddell - interesting as your point may be that doesn't actually change the fact that the schools don't have the money, or that a private companty will want to be paid for the work it does.

I really just don't get this sense of entitlement. Just because someone wants what someone else has does not mean they are entitled to it. People can afford different things and not just necessarily 'rich people'. People place different priorities on their spending and some have bigger financial commitments than others - that's life.

How ridiculous to suggest that everyone should miss out because someone can't afford something! Should my neighbour not buy a new car because it would upset me that I can't afford one? I work hard (well DH does ) so we must be entitled to a new car too! Perhaps I should ask them to subsidise us because clearly they MUST have more money than us.

YABU.
My dcs had to pack in music lessons as we struggled to afford it. Both myself and dh work.
Why did you both choose to pack in work at th same time if it is causing you such hardship, surely just one of you should be studying and the other working?

noble - I guess your crap education made it hard for you to read complicated things like message threads and understand the points being made.

Our education authority offers some funding for extra curricula activities for children from low income families. May be worth asking at school.

"I really just don't get this sense of entitlement. "

I know, it's outrageous.

People are entitled to NOTHING. NOTHING!!!

How dare they expect to live in a decent society that attempt to treat all of its members fairly.

The fucking cheek of anyone who isn't really into making sure poor children suffer because their parents don't have the virtue of being wealthy.

And I've just started paying for music lessons for 2 of mine because we've clawed back money from elsewhere eg we've whittled our food bill down by only buying supermarket basic brands,only running one car,no holiday etc.

Oh and by the way I'm very envious at the op being able to afford to even go to uni.My career is totally up the swanny and I'd give my eye teeth to be able to afford to get my Masters or do a back to teaching course in order to get my career back on track. Sadly I have to work.

singforsupper "Schools should only endorse projects that are socially inclusive" so... I'd better get the head and governors to cancel our G&T workshops. They are not charged for, but not everyone can go to those.

"making poor children suffer" errr we're talking about Spanish lessons.

Oh well, let's just put up with it, then. The fact schools don't have money and privatise their language teaching is the result of political deicsions. Other decisions can be made if we don't like the first ones. Since when did fatalism become so popular?

Oh sorry, SCOTT, what punishment and suffering for poor children were you referring to if not the lack of Spanish lessons which this entire thread is about?

Also, I didn't have a crap education. I had an excellent, free education, and my parents took advantage of other free stuff, such as libraries, to supplement it.

SheCutOffTheirTails - I am going to ask you again what do you suggest as a soloution if schools don't have the money to cover the cost of the clubs and private companies won't work for nothing?

bumbleymummy - surely everyone is entitled to learn though? And I do see the OP's point when clubs in a school setting aren't accessible for poorer students.

Obviously we're not talking about toys or holidays here - that would be entirely different. When someone is eager to learn and the opportunity is not there that's a shame and is unfair. We should not be having a go at people who want their children to learn. There are so many kids who don't want to do a second of study they don't have to do.

Abigail G & T is considered a special need.

Parents.
They should all give back to the school community by offering a tithe of hours at some point in the school year to benefit all children.

Why is it so unfair that someone can afford something that someone else can't? Its not necessarily just ruch people going. Some people in similar jobs to those that the OP left may scrimp and save to allow their child to go while someone who earns more may not have enough spare due to other financial commitments. How would it be fair to either of them if someone comes along and gets the class at a subsidised rate? I really don't see what you are getting so worked up about. We're talking about extra curricular Spanish classes here. It's not like the children are being denied food/health care/education ( I mean essential education not how to sing dings and count to 10 in Spanish - have you heard of YouTube?)

So only the children with parents who have money should be 'entitled' to go... Nice

Company wouldnt be offering it at all if they wern't making money. DO you want to stop all children from thr benefit of the classes?

Nancy Hmmm, let's see...different Government? NB I did not suggest Brown/Blair/Miliband

Sing songs *

All children have free access to everything within school hours, which is why no child can be denied a place on a trip that takes place within school hours. This is extra.
I always wanted to play the saxophone.

Electra, the opportunity is there to learn. If the DD really wants to learn Spanish there are about a billion free resources she could use.

But it is also an additional out of school activity that is not a compulsory part of the school's remit, funded by any additional money the school can get it's hands on, like the hiring charge from Brownies, Street Dance and Orchestra.

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryspanish/