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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not pay full amount for school trip?

149 replies

bingisthebest · 12/05/2017 21:49

School send out a letter saying they are having a trip can you a. Pay a donation b. Pay the sum of .....
I have 3 dcs and although our choice it is expensive for us. Wibu to just pay a smaller donation?

OP posts:
Anotherdayanotherdollar · 12/05/2017 21:51

Can you afford to pay the full amount? If you can, do. If not, make a donation of whatever amount you can afford.

ILoveMyCaravan · 12/05/2017 21:51

Pay whatever you can reasonably afford. The costs for these trips are not compulsory and the school should bear this in mind when organising trips.

arethereanyleftatall · 12/05/2017 21:52

Who will make up the difference if you pay a smaller donation?

PurpleDaisies · 12/05/2017 21:53

Can you afford it? Where do you think the money will come from if you don't pay it?

Astro55 · 12/05/2017 21:54

If there aren't enough donations the trip gets cancelled

They build a small pool for non payers - but you should pay if you can afford it

Wolfiefan · 12/05/2017 21:54

Are all 3 going on this trip?
If you can afford it then pay. If enough parents decide not to pay the school may have to cancel the whole trip.

SaucyJack · 12/05/2017 21:54

Yeah, I think you should pay unless you're food bank level of poverty.

Fortunately our school doesn't ask for "donations". You pay or your kid doesn't go (or swim).

Stops the spongers.

lougle · 12/05/2017 21:56

I think that unless you genuinely can't afford to pay the full amount, you should do so. The school is legally only allowed to charge the genuine cost of the trip so if you pay less than the full cost it will either come out of their budget or it will be cancelled. School budgets don't have any leeway these days.

Firenight · 12/05/2017 21:56

Are they all going on the trip together? I guess that can add up!

BubbleBed · 12/05/2017 21:58

I've paid just a donation of a small amount before. I've also not paid. I havent ever been fully on benefits and free school meals; but I am classed as a low earner single parent, with tax credits, housing benefit, and free NHS treatment. Sometimes I simply can't afford another £10 for another trip.

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 12/05/2017 21:58

Pointless question if you're not going to contextualise. If you're on the breadline, YANBU. If you're not, YABU.

TrashPanda · 12/05/2017 22:00

If you genuinely can't afford to pay then go in and explain then pay whatever you can afford. DS trip was only confirmed at the last minute because a small number of parents went and paid extra. The head was nearly in tears at the thought of cancelling and disappointing the kids. Budgets in schools are so tight, they can't afford to run these trips without parents paying.

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 12/05/2017 22:03

My 2 dd went on the same residential trip
School secretary suggested school fund one if we paid the other. .
So we did. Have always paid for day trips etc through the school in full so didn't feel bad accepting help that one time. We were very grateful.

ginswinger · 12/05/2017 22:11

My DD's school has reported that the largest amount of donation payers are in the group of parents who get the pupil premium. That's pretty awful that the PP families are supplementing the better off parents. Our school has been quite clear-we're getting an 8% cut next year so if you want school trips, you need to pay towards them.

I quite want my DD to have school trips so I'm putting some money aside.

Funnyfarmer · 12/05/2017 22:13

At my dd's school. When the school asks for donations. It's per family. Not per child.

If really can't afford it. Don't feel guilty about excepting help. We all need help from time to time.
But if you can afford it you should contribute. You not paying could mean the whole trip being cancelled

Cerberusia · 12/05/2017 22:13

If you can afford to pay then you should.

If you cannot afford to pay the whole amount the you WNBU to only pay what you can.

SemiNormal · 12/05/2017 22:15

Stops the spongers - Bit harsh. Hmm

ALittleMop · 12/05/2017 22:16

If you are genuinely struggling, talk to the school
If you are not struggling, just tight, pay up

BertrandRussell · 12/05/2017 22:16

"Fortunately our school doesn't ask for "donations". You pay or your kid doesn't go (or swim).

Stops the spongers."

Don't be a dick, mate.

Funnyfarmer · 12/05/2017 22:17

"My DD's school has reported that the largest amount of donation payers are in the group of parents who get the pupil premium. That's pretty awful that the PP families are supplementing the better off parents."

I actually don't find that shocking at all.

yaela123 · 12/05/2017 22:18

Fortunately our school doesn't ask for "donations"

How is that fortunate? What about the kids whose families genuinely can't afford the full price? Are you saying the children deserve to miss out?

Floggingmolly · 12/05/2017 22:19

They call it a donation because it's voluntary; as in, they can't actually force you to pay it. But if people don't pay, the trip doesn't go ahead.
Obviously.
Are your kids triplets? It's unusual to schedule trips for several different classes at the same time?

PurpleDaisies · 12/05/2017 22:20

How is that fortunate? What about the kids whose families genuinely can't afford the full price? Are you saying the children deserve to miss out?

My school has costs for trips but a fund for those children whose parents can't afford to pay. It doesn't have to be donations of kids don't go.

jarhead123 · 12/05/2017 22:22

What is the total amount and what are you thinking of paying?

If it says donations. then I would pay what you feel comfortable with

EezerGoode · 12/05/2017 22:23

Isn't this what child benefit is for?