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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think school are taking the piss?

44 replies

user1498726699 · 06/07/2017 16:13

Letter home today giving details of a school day trip next Thursday. No prior notification of this. £25 needs to be paid by next Wednesday.

Things are very tight this month due to various reasons.

Aibu to think school should give at least a month's notice if they want that kind of money out of parents?

OP posts:

SmileEachDay · 06/07/2017 17:13

Is it possible, as it's curriculum based, that whatever the "thing" is, it has become available at the last minute? We did this when a theatre offered us last minute reduced price tickets for a performance.

Otherwise yes, it's a bit short notice.

sticklebrix · 06/07/2017 17:15

YANBU. This sounds really stressful and you're almost certainly not the only family affected.

In my DC's primary the parents and teacher agreed a yearly class budget for minor expenses at the beginning of the autumn term. PTA reps collected cash and doled it out to the teacher as needed. When it was gone it was gone. Any larger amounts - theatre trips, residential - had to be agreed at a parents evening with funds made available for anyone who couldn't afford it.

Fantastic system. No faffing about with 2 pounds for this or that and no unexpected larger expenses. Less admin for the teacher. I have no idea why this isn't the norm.

thecatsarecrazy · 06/07/2017 17:16

I was saying to dh this morning I'm sure children go on more school trips now. Eldest ds went on one last week for £10, today both at a fiver each. The whole school went today

Wolfiefan · 06/07/2017 17:18

I am fairly certain that it's not the school not "being arsed". Maybe there's a reason it is last minute.
Don't want to tell the school it's too much money with very little notice then don't. But you can't expect them to help you out if you're not honest. Complaining on here won't help.
It's a curriculum trip and the whole year is going? Then it's not a reward at all.
Cost will include staff and travel (coaches are exorbitant).

youngestisapsycho · 06/07/2017 17:21

£12 entry and only 20 mins away.... are they going on a coach?

ChocolateWombat · 06/07/2017 17:23

In this situation I would email the Head. Say you appreciate them running the trip and it's a lovely idea, but would appreciate more notice because of the cost. Ask if there is a school policy about how much notice they give when asking for parental contributions and I f there isn't perhaps they could look into it.

If you do this, you will be raising the issue and doing a favour for all parents. You are also raising it as a point of principle, not just as about yourself.

Trips obviously cost, in budget constrained times, if parents don't pay, the curriculum will become more and more basic and all the fun bits which cost be stripped out. However, schools do need to get their act together about giving notice of stuff, when either money or time is required.

TheHobbitMum · 06/07/2017 17:24

My schools are often the same, eldest DC had trip money requests of £100 each with 8 days notice. Happening more & more sadly

Morifarty · 06/07/2017 17:27

We've just had this. A residential that they run each year, so know it's coming. Letter requesting payment for three days time.

I knew it was coming, but as it's in 5 month's time, assumed they would give decent notice of payment.

It's a joke.

Sixgeese · 06/07/2017 17:30

A couple of weeks ago we had similar. An email was sent out Monday calling a meeting Wednesday evening for y5 parents .

They told us about a week away in Year 6 so almost a year away, but we would have to make first non refundable deposit of £50 by the following Monday, they didn't know total cost but in region of £400.

Parents not happy but what can we do.

Slimthistime · 06/07/2017 17:33

honestly I don't know how parents cope with the seemingly endless shit schools dole out. Yes it is too short notice and the whole idea is a bit pants anyway.

as for a day at school relaxing, surely there will be some kids who have a SAHP and would rather relax at home?

skyzumarubble · 06/07/2017 17:43

We've just had this - letter yesterday trip on Monday. £19.50 per child and I have twins so £39. We can afford it but not without noticing and I've been squirrelling all the spare cash into the holiday spending fund so it's just annoying. I cannot believe that they can't give a rough estimate of cost in advance.

I do have a bugbear with our school with the complete lack of communication full stop though.

user1495025590 · 06/07/2017 17:43

AugustRose don't know if it's the same school but at ours not only do they have to pay to go to LWV ,but they are going on a Saturday!!!

user1495025590 · 06/07/2017 17:44

Op you don't HAVE to pay!

Slimthistime · 06/07/2017 17:47

on a Saturday? Bonkers.

what happens if you say no - you could easily have other things planned? They can't get annoyed can they.

Jux · 06/07/2017 19:11

We used to get that from both primary and secondary. The letters did add that there is a fund for families who really can't pay. What would happen if you told the teacher/head in confidence that you can't pay that this month?

Fresh8008 · 06/07/2017 19:51

The school can only ask for VOLUNTARY expenses. If to many people dont pay, they cant run the trip. If a parent needs to spread costs out the school would have no problem doing that. It all seems pretty reasonable.

I recently had this exact same expense, told the school I couldn't pay for it and explained why and they thanked me for doing so. When I can do I contribute. Sometime trips are canceled. I dont see why schools should provide it for free.

Naicehamshop · 06/07/2017 19:58

Just to put the other side of the story.
I work in a school office and often have to book trips. First I'm waiting for a teacher to tell me exactly what they want to do and where they want to go, then waiting for venue to get back to me. Often can't get the date teacher wants so there is to-ing and fro-ing trying to sort something out, trying different coach companies to get best price, booking company with cheapest quote and then possibly having to ask PTA for help with costs and waiting for them to get back to me. ..etc etc etc.

Often I would say that it's not a case of the school being "shit" or not caring, but more like part time staff struggling to sort stuff out quickly.

I do accept that it's annoying to be given very short notice so if it keeps happening speak to the school, but bear in mind that they are genuinely trying to make things interesting, stimulating and memorable for your children.

Slimthistime · 06/07/2017 23:25

Fresh "I dont see why schools should provide it for free."

Oh I'm not saying that at all. I just wonder why a short notice trip is necessary at all. And on a Saturday!!

AugustRose · 07/07/2017 10:24

No not a Saturday, but that's mad

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