To refuse to pay for a theatre visit from the school

[peachypips]

that happened today?

I received a letter in the book bag telling me that they would like a £4 contribution towards a visit from a theatre visit they had had this afternoon. We had no information about this except this retrospective letter!!

It almost takes the option of refusing away- "your child just did this- now pay for it"!!!

I doubt they'll get much money back!

I'd ignore that letter...

They need to learn to ask first. Not do it and then ask for the cash.

I'd pay it....sounds like an admin mistake of not getting letter out sooner. I think its bad form not to pay up.

Are you sure the letter wasn't just misplaced and everyone else got it days ago

Oh what a cheek. They brought some art to your child and now they want MONEY!?? It's four pounds and unless you're on benefits, you have no excuse for moaning.

I can see why you are annoyed, the school seem to have gone about this the wrong way. Had they asked for donations in advance it would have gone down so much better.
Is there a chance that school intended to fund it, but then realised the budget won't stretch to cover it?
Or will they need to cut something else now to cover the short fall?

If your child enjoyed it, and you can afford the £4 (that's the important part - don't put yourself out of pocket) then I would probably pay it. But I would let the school know that in future I would rather be told in advance about events where they want a contribution.

The letter says that they had it today. So we all got the same letter today. Yes art, yes I want him to experience the theatre, but I'd like to be asked first!

It is a contribution. You can choose not to pay.

If you can afford it pay otherwise it just looks petty plus they may have sent letters previously you just didn't get them. DTD's book bags are like a black hole, stuff apparently gets put in there but I never seem to see it.

Yes GOLD, that seems the most sensible answer...

It sounds like an admin error and someone is probably in trouble for it. Refusing to pay just makes it harder for the school to provide activities like this for your child.

If you really have an issue with the fact that it is a retrospective request, write a letter expressing this and asking that they request money in advance in the future.

This was def the first letter and the day they sent it...

Dies your schopl not have the system where by you sign at the beginning of the so they had consent already.

They asked for a contribution, not demanded and you would pay anyway and can still arrange with staff to pay on a later date if you need to.

I had thought that 'other' Gold... I reckon someone is getting a rollicking somewhere. I'll have to forgo my cake at Waitrose and contribute the £4. Sigh.

It looks like I may be B a bit U and will suck it up.

It costs anything from a tenner to over a hundred quid to get a theatre experience in my neck of the woods. Sounds a bargain. Unless you are really struggling why so miffed? It's only four quid for something they probably really enjoyed. Unless they are always doing this I'd pay up and be grateful they got a theatre experience in the first place. I'd love it if my daughter got that.

It's £4. I don't think you'll need to flog a kidney on the black market

It's annoying, yes. But your child likely enjoyed it and if you would have paid it anyway, then I'd pay it.

Maybe scribble down a note in the wee ones homework diary asking that the school give you the option next time?

Not miffed about theatre. Just the asking in retrospect. I will go now and humbly pay my £4 and thank them profusely for the wonderful educational opportunity.

You don't have to pay.

On the theme, does anyone else get a lot of letters asking for money all the time? We get one every two or three weeks asking for money or donations. Is this normal? (My first at school)

Why don't you pay and include a note saying that you would appreciate that when you are going to be asked for money, being asked in advance. Say that it suggests poor organisation and makes it difficult to say 'no'

Is your objection to the request for £4 or the fact the letter came on the day of the event?

The second!

Well then,moat up and express your feelings about the timing of the letter.
You will probably not be the only one to do this and will probably find it doesn't happen again.
Job done!

Meant PAY up.

I would just be pleased they were doing extras like theatre groups.

Unusual to send letter after event.
But I would be pleased the school organised the theatre. Your child will have benefited enourmously from the experience.
You've saved the cost of tickets and travel for yourself. Usually hundreds for Westend and would be best part £50 for local theatre tickets, refreshments and travel.
Agree if you can afford it pay, but I think you should enclose a note saying you would appreciate advance warning in future.

This has annoyed me in the past and I agree they should have asked first. But I think I'd just pay it and moan about it to everyone. Because the school has made an effort for the good of the children.

And yes in my experience schools constantly want money for xyz :)