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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:
duckwalk · 13/01/2015 00:50

As I said, genuine question... wasn't trying to catch you out.

Original poster
Knitivity · 13/01/2015 00:52

Duckwalk, didn't think you was, sorry if I came across wrong. Tired and worried. Thanks for your views

OP posts:
DeeCayed · 13/01/2015 00:53

YANBU

Agree with what NeedsAsockAmnesty said.

Izzy82 · 13/01/2015 00:54

You're right, they don't have to give the money back but they do have to be able to justify what they spent it on. On the one hand, if your child is SEN that money may go on support/ interventions etc. but, if they are not less able, you should ask the head what the money went on. I work in a school and we pay for all trips for PP kids (and will do for 6 years after they come of FSM)

pleaseclosethedoor · 13/01/2015 00:54

I do see why you're annoyed given that the local authority have paid the difference. However, it's not like the local authority has an unending pot of money to give out...this will have an impact on their budget (albeit a small one) which will in turn have an impact on the school budget. I know it's only £62 but that starts to add up if everyone does it.

I don't know, as I said before I can see your side as well, it's just that I think schools are underfunded at the moment.

duckwalk · 13/01/2015 00:55

Ah that's ok Grin

Original poster
Knitivity · 13/01/2015 01:07

There's nothing I can do about it if the school push for the money. With the £137 dinner money needed paying and £90 after school club needed paying and £20 for football, what's another £62. Wow and I thought I was suppose to be better off working. meh!

BTW the school isn't underfunded (last year they paid £100,000.00 for a new all weather football pitch and the pta made £40,000.00.

OP posts:
TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 13/01/2015 01:08

I think YANBU: as you say, that was the situation when you paid in good faith for the trip, the difference has been paid by the LA and, as truly, I also doubt you would get had rebate had you paid the full amount then lost your job.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 13/01/2015 01:12

You paid the correct amount due in good faith. The difference has also been paid. I think YANBU and the school is, at least, being rather unthinking in this demand n this situation.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 13/01/2015 01:12

Sorry, thought it hadn't posted.

Original poster
Knitivity · 13/01/2015 01:16

Thanks for everyone views. I have emailed the head and will let you know what she says.

OP posts:
Lottiedoubtie · 13/01/2015 01:17

Sounds like an admin mistake to me, bet the school don't really want you to pay it. Good luck

QueenTilly · 13/01/2015 01:34

YANBU. At the time the trip needed to be funded, you were eligible. You can't retroactively claim payment like that from someone. Otherwise people newly in work are suddenly being expected to make their salary cover current expenses and expenses from years befire!

Ouchbloodyouch · 13/01/2015 05:20

YANBU

KoalaDownUnder · 13/01/2015 05:27

YANBU.

I don't think it is fair on you, and I hope the school rethinks their position.

Potcallingkettle · 13/01/2015 06:58

Have you checked for admin error? If the headteacher offered you half price, I'm sure that will still apply as your child receives pupil premium for the next six years. The person administrating the money may not have put two and two together though and may now just be going down a list of people and seeing what money is left to pay.

QoFE · 13/01/2015 07:03

YANBU.

The school have the pupil premium for your DD for the whole of this academic year and that money has to spent on things that are targeted at her and other children in receipt of that extra funding.

The school should honour the price you have paid already.

TeaAndALemonTart · 13/01/2015 07:09

Talk to the head and tell them that you genuinely can't afford it.

Trufflethewuffle · 13/01/2015 07:09

I wonder if you would have got this reminder anyway and it isn't just because you are now working.

CheerfulYank · 13/01/2015 07:17

At first I thought YWBU but now I don't. Hope it works out for you and your DD. :)

Yangsun · 13/01/2015 07:51

YANBU make sure you mention you know your dad is still on pupil premium as this doesn't stop as soon as you get a job but goes on for a number of years. If they insist say you will therefore have to withdraw your child from trip as you can't afford it and insist they return the original contribution as the terms of the payment have changed, I don't imagine they will continue at that point

Newrule · 13/01/2015 08:02

By your logic most if not all of us should not have to pay for one thing or another because by the time we pay for x, y, and z, we do not have much to spare.

Stop seeing this from a selfish perspective. Pay up. However, if you have difficulty speak to the school to come to an agreement.

CLJ52 · 13/01/2015 08:04

I don't think not paying the £62 is unreasonable when finances are tight, but I think you are looking at this unreasonably. You seem to be complaining that the school is getting one over on you.

The rule is non waged parents get the discount. You are no longer non waged and therefore eligible to pay. The pupil premium is not relevant - that's a funding mechanism for the school - it's not your personal budget. You have to separate the two in your head.

Having said that, you have only recently started work and the hours are not full time. I think you should approach the head and say cash is tight and you are not able to afford the rest of the cash. These are the only grounds on which to argue you should keep the discount.

Tyzer85 · 13/01/2015 08:05

YANBU, the school probably have made a mistake but I guess they could be trying it on too. Like you said, if you paid the full amount and then lost your job the school wouldn't give you half back.

Marphe · 13/01/2015 08:06

If it was a reduction "because you're on benefits" then I would agree YABU and that as you're not on benefits at the date of the trip you should pay

But it's not. It's because your DD qualifies for Pupil Premium, which she still does. I'm surprised at the school for asking TBH. The school has received extra funding for your DD because she once qualified for FSM. You are entitled to ask how it is being spent for her benefit.