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.

I was referring to the "lesson" people seem so rabidly excited to teach the children of the undeserving poor - that they can't have stuff because their parents are lazy.

That they are missing out because of the actions of their parents.

Essentially that is to teach a small child that they are being punished because their parents are not good (rich) people.

The OP and partner both quit their jobs, if they have a low household income then they made that choice. Expecting others to fund the "extras" in life is simply not on - they could both get part time jobs on top of the study if they want their children to have this type of extras.

The provider is a business not a charity, those that can afford the service and want to use it will whilst a higher percentage wont. Handing out places to those not paying makes a mockery of those that do pay.

Parents are fine if they are qualified to teach the subject, CRB checked, have insurance and are prepared to give their time for free every week.
I actually think if you just relied on the parents to run the clubs kids in poor areas would be worse off. Traditionally people living in pooorer areas work longer hours so have less time to give to the school.

"G & T is considered a special need."

It's considered a special need to be in the top 10% of pupils at whatever school you happen to attend?

Really?

I'm not worked up at all but I can understand how the OP feels and imo it does not boil down to a sense of entitlement. She's not complaining that her dd doesn't have designer clothes or the latest iphone.

In the UK there is not enough emphasis on learning foreign languages. Spanish is a very useful language to learn and interest in it would begin with a class like this. You can't learn a language off youtube.

"And I do see the OP's point when clubs in a school setting aren't accessible for poorer students."

Chess club at lunchtime - club in a school setting
Spanish after school - club in a school

Yes, Scott, it is. Although they usually don't get as much funding and/or help as the bottom 10%

Most primary schools offer languages in the curriculum and a range of free clubs, the op is talking about the Rolls Royce of clubs.

Most parents settle for the languages kids do in school time and the free clubs teachers kindly give up their time for.

I'd love my dd to have a pony,riding lessons,ballet,French,violin.I'd love my ds's to do martial arts,French,all manner of holiday activities they never get to do,all to learn the piano etc,etc. They're keen,I'm keen soooooooo .........

'"G & T is considered a special need."

It's considered a special need to be in the top 10% of pupils at whatever school you happen to attend?

Really?'

Yes really. You seem to have very little clue about the difficulties and needs of being G&T, and the need for specialised, individual teaching that a child is entitled to in the same way as if they were SEN at the LA end of the scale.
Or do you really think that being incredibly able is all honey and roses for the child, the parents, the class and the teacher?

I don't agree. When I was at school we were able to study extra languages for free. The school arranged it so that those of us who were particularly interested and good at languages were able to access these lessons.

There are plenty of useful things I'd like to learn Electra - it doesn't mean I should get them if I can't afford to pay for them.

Wow, well I learned not to expect everything handed to me on a plate. I learned the difference between want and need. I learned to work to earn my own money from a young age. I learned that if I couldn't afford something I shouldn't buy it. I learned not to be materialistic. I learned to really appreciate the stuff I did have.

I suspect those lessons are actually more useful in the long term than getting to do whatever after-school clubs you fancy. Feel sorry for the poor spoiled kids instead...

A disadvanatged child should be given the opportunities to do things that will limit the chances that they will be stuck in the poverty cycle and education is where that begins.

Do we know for certain the OPs school doesn't offer other languages as part of the curriculum?

Electra that works fine if the school have a teacher/parent willing to give up time for free, or money in the budget to pay for someone to come in. Otherwise, set ups like those mentioned in the OP are the only realistic possibility.

When children get to secondary school age they get the chance to learn languages anyway. I couldn't speak a word of french when I was 11 but still managed to get an A Level in French so I dont think it put me at that much of a disadvantage.

I cannot believe people think a desire to learn is materialistic.

electra - this is not really about education it is about an after school club that very few children will be attending.

Electra - they're getting an education. Learning how to sing songs and count in Spanish is not going to get them out of the poverty cycle! If they want to learn Spanish then what's wring with using the free resources?

I thought it was a Spanish class? Is that not educational? If it was ballet or pony riding maybe I'd agree with you.

obviously dance is educational but my point is that learning languages is very useful for any child.

i've only skim read this very long thread so apologies if i've missed the point but surely money is only one reason children don't go to these clubs. mine could never go because i worked and our childcare arrangements did not allow the flexibility for most of them and the few that were possible always seemed to be on a first come first served so the places were always taken by the children who were collected by a parent and could sign up on the spot. My children would show me the leaflet in the evening when I got home and take their form in the next morning and there were no spaces left.

life isn't fair - the sooner we all get used to it the better. and what's really unfair is that for a lot of people the unfairness is not as a result of something they chose to do - unlike for OP in choosing to go to uni and for me in choosing to go to work. i really don't think primary school children get a sense of entitlement at this age, unless of course their parents encourage one.

The level of spanish she will acheive in 7 lessons will probably be about as useful as pony riding would be in later life

It's hardly essential education though Electra. How exactly is basic Spanish going to get them out of the poverty cycle exactly?

No, cat64. What a ridiculous comparison - weekly spanish lessons would cost a fraction of the price of driving lessons. And it would not be an efficient use of funds to teach someone to drive who probably wouldn't be able to run a car afterwards which they wouldn't be able to do if they couldn't afford lessons.....

I have made my point well enough. Encouraging disadvantaged children to study will help them to do better. Do you also disagree with free school meals?