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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to pay the full amount

67 replies

Knitivity · 13/01/2015 00:13

I recently started work but before I did (some months ago) I paid for a school trip. I was on benefits back then so got a 50% discount. The trip is in March and I paid in October.

Today I got a letter from the school asking me for the balance (£62). I don't feel I should pay this as when I paid for the trip I was entitled to half off. I'm sure if I had paid the full amount and then lost my job I wouldn't get half back, so why should I pay the other half now. Has anyone else been through this?

AIBU in saying I won't pay and can they refuse my child a place on the trip?

OP posts:
SoonToBeSix · 13/01/2015 00:16

Of course you should pay, the discount is for non working parents , you are working. The school doesn't have an unlimited pot of money.

SoonToBeSix · 13/01/2015 00:16

So yes yabu

Koalafications · 13/01/2015 00:17

I think YABU.

BabyX · 13/01/2015 00:19

Is this a wind-up?

Who do you think is subsidising your other half?

SistersOfPercy · 13/01/2015 00:20

Yabu.
It was generous of the school to order that discount in the first place. If you abuse it then it's unlikely to be there for anyone who needs it later on.

SistersOfPercy · 13/01/2015 00:20

Order? Offer dammit.

ilovesooty · 13/01/2015 00:22

Of course YABU. You're now working and that money can be used for others who need it more.

Original poster
Knitivity · 13/01/2015 00:23

I'm not rolling in money now. I'm working part time and after I pay my rent and council tax I get just a bit more than before. If it was a case of I could afford it I would but I can't. The school received money for me last term, as my daughter was on free school meals and that's where the discount came from. For them to receive that when I paid for the trip and now say, you're working so you have to pay the full amount is pretty off.

OP posts:
duckwalk · 13/01/2015 00:24

Yabu.

Only1scoop · 13/01/2015 00:24

Yabu and should pay up.

Original poster
Knitivity · 13/01/2015 00:25

Just to elaborate... the school have already been paid the other half from the local authority when I booked the trip and now are asking for it again from me.

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 13/01/2015 00:26

That's for them to sort out.

Koalafications · 13/01/2015 00:27

Drip drip drip.

Original poster
Knitivity · 13/01/2015 00:27

What does drip drip drip mean

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 13/01/2015 00:32

If you still can't afford it (and no shame in that) then go in and talk to the HT or HoY if secondary.

They should be sympathetic.

JeanneDeMontbaston · 13/01/2015 00:33

Have the rules changed? I thought schools could not charge for trips made during school hours - they could only request contributions?

There must be lots of people who couldn't suddenly find 62 pounds if they've only been in work recently, mustn't there?

duckwalk · 13/01/2015 00:34

The school will sort out the payments, money wil be put back into the school/council.
Genuine question..... if you had been working when payment was originally due (the same pay as in your new job), would you have signed your dc up for the trip? Would you have decided they couldn't go as you couldn't afford it?

Izzy82 · 13/01/2015 00:36

Your child comes under the category 'ever 6'. This is for children who are registered as FSM 'ever in the last 6 years'. Theoretically, you get it for the next 6 years... Unless things have changed.

duckwalk · 13/01/2015 00:37

jeaanne my dc is in p7 and they've always charged for school trips here, no requests for donations. Didn't even know that was a previous rule? (Although we're in Scotland)

pleaseclosethedoor · 13/01/2015 00:38

I can see both sides to be honest. If I were you I'd just go and speak to them and explain your situation - that you've only just started working, that it's only part time etc. Would it make it any easier if you could pay it in instalments? 62 quid is a lot if it needs to be paid all at once and has come out of the blue.

Adarajames · 13/01/2015 00:40

Could you ask them if you could pay the rest in small instalments so it's more affordable for you? Schools are so desperately short of money that it's not as though they'll spend the extra on non essentials, and lots of schools don't offer discounted rates, just all or you can't go, so be a shame if they had to stop being able to offer this in future due to lack of funds

Original poster
Knitivity · 13/01/2015 00:40

Duckwalk, No, I wouldn't of signed up for a trip costing £124 for 2 nights. I'm not rich.

OP posts:
JeanneDeMontbaston · 13/01/2015 00:47

This link says that schools cannot charge for educational trips made during school hours. www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/365929/charging_for_school_activities_-_October_2014.pdf

However, I didn't realize until your latest post that this was an overnight trip, which seems different.

Original poster
Knitivity · 13/01/2015 00:47

My main problem here is, the school has already had the money from the local authority. The school got £1,300 last year via the pupil premium for my daughter because she was on free school meals. So to then ask me for another £62 when things are tight for me and they don't have to give back that money.

I've just sent an email into the head and I see what she says.

OP posts:
NeedsAsockamnesty · 13/01/2015 00:48

I think yanbu.

If you we're entitled to the discount when the payment was due they cannot remove that discount after its been paid.