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Original poster

School constantly asking for money

135 replies

Blurry29 · 27/03/2012 18:15

I'll admit this is a moan....

I always pay up. I always volunteer to help class when a trip is on but.....

In the last week school have asked for;

£2 science visit (held at school)
£2 another science visit (held at school)
50p easter egg hunt
All kids to take money in for cakes
£13.50 zoo trip

It seems to be getting more and more each week. It doesn't help that all the kids are informed of these events at assembly so of course get excited etc

Isn't that alot to ask for in one week??

X

OP posts:
amothersplaceisinthewrong · 27/03/2012 18:17

Do you also have to make the cakes for which you are giving the kids money... :)

Original poster
Blurry29 · 27/03/2012 18:17

I'll also add this isn't the start of school asking for money. There seems to be something every week.

There are 300 pupils..... Smile

OP posts:
SootySweepandSue · 27/03/2012 18:18

I don't have school age kids but I'm shocked at that amount. I would complain. Are all parents paying up?

nj32 · 27/03/2012 18:32

I agree in the last couple of weeks we have had £1 for a mothers day gift (all kids in my ds class came out with one but sure they can't all have paid) £1 for sport relief mile, mothers day lunch £2.55 for the moms £9 for trip, asking for seeds/ bulbs etc. I to always pay but wonder if others do the same.

Last yr when ds was at nursery we paid for snack as she said government only provide enough for say raisins & she likes to offer different choices etc but also said she wouldn't see a child miss out so again i often wondered if everyone paid this.

skybluepearl · 27/03/2012 18:39

i feel milked for every penny! it's not just the school, the PTA are really bad too. they are driven to raise thousands and I have just about had enough of the constant costs. Decided recently not to cough up for PTA stuff unless it's something very special and is reasonable in price now. the problem is that they usually over price everything and then it's quite expensive if you have multiple kids at the school. Saying that I'm happy to pay for trips

skybluepearl · 27/03/2012 18:41

it's also ironic that the school strives for a healthy school but the PTA are always shoving cakes and ice creams at the kids. often they turn out to be tescos naff stuff and not even home made

tantrumsandballoons · 27/03/2012 18:42

Do you also have to make a contribution for craft materials and then pay £1 to come to the fete and pay for the thing your dc made with the craft stuff you just paid for?

BarbarianMum · 27/03/2012 18:48

Well at ds1's school so many parents are unable or unwilling to pay for school trips (each year group has 1 trip a year, total cost not more than £15) that they are being cancelled left, right and centre Sad.

At the end of the day you pay for what you can afford, or want to pay for. Ditto charitable giving. But if schools don't ask for money then something will have to give - whether it's blinds for the IT suite, new books or a special science day.

willbeskinny · 27/03/2012 21:51

We got a letter home today saying that school are transforming the hall into an "art gallery" and for the price of £9 you can have your childs framed painting.

They can fuck off raise money some other way.
I'll get DS to paint a pic and get a bloody frame from the poundshop somewhere a bit cheaper. if I didn't already have 5 million paintings from DbloodyC

We've just had to pay for school trip, after school activities and the book fair was there last wk, which we were expected to support.

My friend told me b4 DS started that school were money grabbers always asking for money, but I thought she was lying exaggerating.

I appreciate schools have to raise money but it's ridiculous. I just contribute as much as I can, when I can. That's the best they're gonna get from me.

willbeskinny · 27/03/2012 21:53

Oooh ar. Think I need a Biscuit

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 27/03/2012 22:21

It does add up to a lot, but quite often it's good value. £2 to take part in a Science day isnt expensive for what it is. The children do enjoy these things and learn from them, the teachers don't just sit in the staff room thinking up ways to make the parents hand over money for the sake of it.

On the other hand, PTA things are usually a rip off, with things like the art gallery's where you are charged a fortune for your own child's work. Even then though, the money does go back to helping the children. It helps when the PTA tell you what they are raising the money for. Our school has a constant list of requests for the PTA, so we know what the money being raised is for, and we always see the evidence of it.

SconeInSixtySeconds · 27/03/2012 22:34

Australia - land of milk and honey. Land of the (just this term)

$12 each disco (that's 8 pounds each for a school disco) parents must stay

Donate sausages/cakes/homemade jam for election sale

$30 (20 pounds) for cheapest school photo option each (can't buy sibling unless also bought one individual)

Donate soft cans (no supermarket own brand though) for school thing - currently $30 for 30 cans in the supermarket

End of term school meal $6 for a slice of dominos pizza (4 pounds)

School book club 3 times a term (yup, every 3 weeks) cheapest book is $5

And all this on top of the book list that costs over $180 (about 110 pounds) EACH per year

And uniform that has to be bought from school (though it's a state school) - polo shirt costs $25 (18 pounds).

Shock
GwendolineMaryLacey · 27/03/2012 22:34

I'm dreading this tbh. I have nieces at the school dd1 will hopefully go to and my SIL is constantly telling me about the amount of money that she has to shell out. In fact I've just ordered a cheque book for the first time in years because she says she gets through them like there's no tomorrow.

SconeInSixtySeconds · 27/03/2012 22:36

Ooh, I forgot about the school bill for this term for trips and whatnot.

Ds $65 - roughly 40 pounds
DD $80 - roughly 55 pounds.

[sobs]

animula · 27/03/2012 22:39

It's depressing. Our child's primary school has lost an enormous part of its budget in the cut-backs. Our son's secondary school has lost even more (did you know that 6th Form does not count as a "Frontline" educational service?).

It's not nice. Clearly, there is going to be quite a difference in what schools in areas with parents who can afford to pay for "extras" and those with with a cohort who can't are going to be able to provide.

I think most schools would like to be able to offer all these things free of charge but increasingly that's not going to be the case. then they will either have to cease to provide them, or ask the parents who can afford to pay, to pay more.

troisgarcons · 27/03/2012 22:44

FWIW - Primary trips are supposed to be curriculum based - therefore contributions are voluntary - the government has already paid for the curriculum - school cant shouldnt cancel them due to non ability to pay.

Cherriesarelovely · 27/03/2012 22:46

That is too much I agree. As for the stupid "gallery" thing, that is outrageous, especially if you have more than 1 child.

undercoverPrincess · 27/03/2012 22:51

I don't understand why people have kids then moan that they actually have to pay for things?? Free Education in this country is amazing and the schools are trying to make your childrens education BETTER by doing these things for them. People put time and effort into it that they don't have to.

The mums with 2plus kids at school moaning 'it's all very well if you only have to pay for one' well I have three, I chose to have three and I'll continue to struggle to pay for three (overtime if necessary) and quit moaning! Biscuit

seeker · 27/03/2012 22:57

This really does baffle me. Do people think the money goes int the teacher's cream bun fund or something? Why do people resent paying a couple of quid for their children's educational experience to be enriched? And this business about the PTA demanding money! What the fuck do you think they do with it?????

animula · 27/03/2012 23:06

I have to say, despite the slightly depressed post I just made, I do also agree with seeker.

It's a fraught issue but the basic point is that these schools are, by and large, just doing their best and it's generally a good idea to be supportive.

anothermadamebutterfly · 27/03/2012 23:11

But the zoo trip is only once a year, and the other things are not every week? Like seeker, I can't see why people mind so much, most of them can afford it, and the ones who can't (FSM) don't have to pay, surely?

VonHerrBurton · 27/03/2012 23:13

When it comes to PTA stuff or charitable donations (mainly money) my gripe is this. Ask Once. Then leave it. Ask us once and we will make a decision whether it's something we want to give to, btw the last two weeks we have been bullied into requested to send sponsor money in for a teacher doing something for Sport Relief FOUR TIMES. First a nicey nicey email. A couple of days later a flier came home in a 'don't forget now' tone. Third time not so subtle notes in school bags. Then a fucking huge sandwich board on the playground.

curtainrail · 27/03/2012 23:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ohnevermind · 27/03/2012 23:25

I don't like the way that one of our schools is always asking for money in the form of sponsored something or another, or half termly mufti days, raffle tickets that cost £5 each etc. There was also an auction for a child to be head for the day. Someone paid £500 for that one and my DS was heartbroken - I hated having to explain that I just couldn't afford that sort of money.

DD's school is so much better and actually organises fun family things. People go and have a good time and don't mind spending a bit of money. The prices are more realistic too. Somehow her school seems to be much better off than the school DS attends. All the children go on three trips a term and we don't have to pay for coaches.

Scholes34 · 27/03/2012 23:44

To all those moaning about the PTA, just remember that you are the PTA and if you're not happy take a more active role and you'll find you can influence how they do things. Any money they collect is spent on your children and their school.

So, recent spends are £825 on a ski-trip, £295 on a year 6 residential, £60 on a Go Ape trip, 50p for a PTA home-made bun.

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