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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Schools asking for money for things

14 replies

LovelyBath77 · 21/05/2017 09:12

Like they do taster session for yoga and then afterwards ask us all to contribute. Or they come home with a flyer that they have done some drama class and advertising for it to continue and to join up (often expensive). It's fair enough having after school clubs, which are paid for...but it's within school time and it's on top of usual charity stuff, which requires donations, general school trips and lunches. I find this enough to keep up with. I notice they have mentioned in the school newsletter they haven't had much of the donations towards the latest yoga session and can we pay it please. But they didn't ask anyone in advance. I think if someone wants to advertise yoga sessions in the school they shouldn;t be asking parents for these payments, without asking first who would like to take part. Or AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
LovelyBath77 · 21/05/2017 09:13

Sorry should emphasise this isn't the school itself asking for donations but a company advertising yoga sessions.

OP posts:
Mumoftwoyoungkids · 21/05/2017 09:47

Our school asks for a one off "voluntary" payment of £20 at the start of the year. Because it is a "donation" they can claim gift aid on it.

That then pays for everything except the Y6 residential trip. So school trips, yoga workshops, baking etc.

You get a letter once a term showing what you have got for the money.

I much prefer this to the sudden need to find £2 in change at 8:16am!

Toysaurus · 21/05/2017 09:49

YANBU. I've had this with dd6. A franchise type after school thing comes in and does a session and sends them home with leaflets for paid for sessions in the school that are £50-£60 pounds. I can't afford it and my dd gets upset because she's really excited about it.

She understands we can't afford to do everything. But it's not fair soneone is selling her the idea of how great it is because she's disappointed when I say no.

It does piss me off.

JamAndBread · 21/05/2017 09:49

Do you mean they do the workshop first and then ask for payment after?

creepysleepy · 21/05/2017 09:51

Yes. Our schools constantly Mithering for money. Sometimes fundraising for PTA, sometimes trips or in school activities. Lots of non uniform and dress up days.

I would love it if we could do a lump sum to cover the year.

I don't even begrudge paying, but it's the scrabble for change that I find tricky.

My son did some dance thing for nspcc last week. I think it inboxed standing up and jumping around during lessons (at the teachers instructions) just seemed like the least 'sponsor worthy' event.

I mean what?

creepysleepy · 21/05/2017 09:52

Although I realise this isn't actually what you're asking op Blush

Fragglez · 21/05/2017 09:53

Are they advertising a taster session with no mention of paying for it but after the class has happened they want to charge for the taster?

ilovesooty · 21/05/2017 10:17

I would imagine there's a taster session for free and then marketing to pay for subsequent sessions.
Schools are in dire straits financially. Expect more of the same.

Original poster
LovelyBath77 · 21/05/2017 12:04

It is along the lines of, we are lucky to have Yogabugs (or whatever) to do a session with the children and asking for a pounds or so each to cover this, then we get flyers for it home in their book bags.

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ForalltheSaints · 21/05/2017 12:07

Given education funding, why is this a surprise? Though not asking in advance and seeking to hook you in is not reasonable I think.

Toysaurus · 21/05/2017 12:09

Lovely, I know what you are on about. There's a parent at my child's school with far more money than me. He keeps getting all these franchises to come in and do tasters in school then they send home to glossy leaflet for termly sessions. Some theatre type ones costs over £100. He keeps posting on school Facebook page trying to guilt people into signing up. We did Mad Science I think it was which wasn't too bad. But it was never ending.

Original poster
LovelyBath77 · 21/05/2017 14:22

Yes out school is in quite a wealthy area- but we aren't all rolling in it and I'm happy to contribute to stuff which is actually going to benefit the school...or charity stuff for the church. (C of E school) but this on top is just too much!

What with after school clubs and cubs and school trips and the charity stuff, it really adds up, (oh and school dinners of course).

There seems to be this assumption that a lot of parents could easily afford private school but save loads by sending their children there, but that really isn;t the case for everyone. And we don't need the extra guilt etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
LovelyBath77 · 21/05/2017 14:30

It isn't going to the school - it's going to Yogabugs or whatever. So not for school funding. Nots sure why the school teachers can't do the sessions themselves, I had to as an infant teacher do PE and stuff.

OP posts:
Dixiestamp · 22/05/2017 01:56

We appear to be very lucky that all after school clubs are free here!

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