To wonder how many more letters the school will send that require me to pay out money

[cuteboots]

School Lunches for the fortnight, a project they are doing in class, a trip to visit a place of religious worship, an after school club, a trip thats taking place in June . I know I may have to say no to some of these but does anyone else feel like you are just paying out money all the time ?

So one of your problems is the school charging you for feeding your child lunch? Really? The school office can/will help with a free school meal application if you think you might be eligible.

The after school club - presumably that's voluntary on your part? Presumably at some point you signed your child up to it?

And the rest - if it's going to be a struggle, talk to the school who will be willing and usually able to help. But please don't assume that it's part of some sort of master plan to bankrupt you.

I book coaches / trips for schools and I can assure the OP that the schools never make a profit. Each and every time we don't get enough money to cover it, the money has to come from somewhere else in the school budget.

So if you don't want your child:

• having school lunches - then send a packed lunch
• doing a project in class - then don't pay (but be aware that the money has to come from somewhere)
• a trip to visit a place of religious worship - do you KNOW how much coaches cost??
• an after school club - take them home instead (this is definitely not mandatory)
• a trip that's taking place in June - then don't send them on the trip. However, the school obviously feels this is beneficial to the students.

And if you really, really can't afford it, then speak to the school. They will try and help you.

My school do competitions etc, but the money raised from entries goes to charity. Personally I like to encourage giving in children and to consider those in a less fortunate position. Having said this, the parents who send children to my school pay over 10k in fees anyway, so I suppose the odd 50p doesn't worry them too much.