To be uncomfortable with the wording of this letter

[pouffepants]

Got a letter from school home just before half term. In december there will be a visiting theatre group performing sleeping beauty. I skim read it, it costs £4, and dd2 wanted to go so I was fine with that. Astonishingly, I remembered this on Monday, and sent the form and money back in.

Anyway, dd2 came home today. 'Mum, you need to give in the money for sleeping beauty.' I said I had. 'Oh good, because if we don't pay no-one can go.' I asked if her teacher had said that, and she said no, Megan read it on the letter and was telling everyone they must pay.

I still had the other half of the letter knocking about so had a look in more detail. It says the date etc, then ' the cost per child will be £4, this cost is based on every child attending and paying. in the event that anyone doesn't pay, it will be necessary to cancel the performance.' It doesn't say anything about voluntary, apart from right at the bottom where you sign it says I enclose £4 voluntary contribution.

Now I'm sure they don't mean it literally, and if 1 child out of 100ish doesn't pay, that it scuppers the whole lot, but that's what it says, and that's what 6yo Megan interpreted it as. I get that schools can only do this stuff with parents money, and £4 is very reasonable, but what if that's your bread and milk money for the whole week?

I've been skint before, and have absolutely no qualms about telling my kids when we can't do stuff due to lack of funds, and I think it's quite good for them to realise that stuff costs, and sometimes ain't possible. I don't feel bad, it's life, and they've never kicked up a fuss. But I think I might struggle if the whole of ks1's treat depended on my £4.

Surely the school should be saying that unless 'enough' pay it won't be possible. And they need to price it so there's a little leeway for those who really can't. The kids always have a nosy at the letters in their book bags, I'd hate for there to be any pressure put on any of the kids to pay by their classmates. It's bad enough when they can't go themselves, let alone feeling like you're wrecking it for everyone else.

I see what you mean, there is a sort of standard wording which is similar to your last paragraph and the way they have written it is significantly different. I also agree that this could place undue pressure on people who can't afford it but could it be that in this instance the situation is slightly different? Could it also be that they have had a large number of non payers in the past and are trying to make it clear that they need everyone who can pay to pay?

I agree. We couldn't afford it at that cost tbh, and it is disheartening to be basically told you will be responsible for cancelling the play Thwy are putting a lot of pressure on parents who might not be able to live up to it, and, in turn, on their children.

I think you're taking it far too literally. Schools have hardship funds where families who struggle can have assistance with all school related costs. I'm sure the letter means within reason; they will be aware of the families who will need assistance and will have a process for this. YABU taking the interpretation of a 6yo as the full picture.