To not want to pay for an activity during the school day

[Dancergirl]

Dd's school does djembe drumming. It started off as Year 5 doing it for the year as part of the curriculum for which there was no charge. It's now expanded and both Years 4 and 5 do it but you have to pay a fee.

Dd is in year 5, she did it last year and hated it and doesn't want to do it this year. I'm all for schools offering extra curricular clubs at lunchtime etc that you have to pay for but I'm a bit miffed with the school doing this during teaching time and the assumption that all children do it and pay for it. The letter was worded in such a way that it wasn't optional.

AIBU?

YANBU. If it's compulsory then you should not have to pay. I'm hoping it's just a badly worded letter rather than them just being U.

YANBU. I wouldn't pay for it and I would tell the school why.

I don't mind paying for extra curricular clubs which take place after school. I'm not particularly happy about paying for clubs that take place during lunchtimes, and I'm not convinced the school makes as much effort as I, the person who has paid for the club, would in ensuring my child attends.

I absolutely would not be happy about paying for a regular club taking place during teaching time. A voluntary contribution to a one off service bought in would be okay now and again, but not anything taking place regularly.

I'm not convinced the school can make you pay if you are saying it's not optional.

Private school? Cash flow problem. Any other indicators of a squeeze?

Nope, state school

I wouldn't be happy with it as a regular thing. Ok as a one off, but not regularly.

If it is not optional then you shouldnt have to pay. Sounds a ridiculous thing to force a kid to do if they dont want to do it too.

Playing the drums is hardly a life skill such as swimming would be.

Exactly squeaky, they always say there's 'no time' in the curriculum for swimming or 11+ preparation but there's time for things like this!

'no time' in the curriculum for swimming or 11+ preparation

Their priorities seem a little skewed.

Utterly unreasonable of them to expect you to pay for a non-optional activity which is not even of specific benefit nor enjoyment to your dc.

Djembe drumming I seriously give up! Swimming is a life skill, dance to the beat of your own drum and all that, but not if you have to frigging pay for it!

or more accurately, DMD, not swimming is a not living skill in some situations

We had this at First School. it was music, each term a different instrument that we had no choice of. They wanted £12 a term. Over 2 years DS did the flute, the cello, the violin, the cornet then the flute again. He had no interest whatsoever.

state schools are banned by law from doing specific 11+ preparation, swimming is part of the nc

Drumming isn't though catwoo OP that's ridiculous. Refuse and explain why!