I've worked in all three levels of education and have seen quite a difference in various things.
If a parent wants to claim free school dinners, the younger children really don't notice, as money for dinners is handed in at the beginning of the week to the school secretary. The children who are claiming free lunch obviously don't hand in an envelope. Because it's handed in in drops and drabs nobody notices those who don't. The quality and nutrition value of the school dinner at primary and middle schools are excellent. Many teachers also buy them and sit down amongst the children. I thought this was excellent as the adults were setting an example to the children on how to hold their knife and fork, not eat with their mouths stuffed of food and to have an inclusive conversation. The children didn't wince if an adult sat down amongst them at all.
At secondary the children usually carry nameless, blank credit type cards. The reason as to why it was left nameless was so that if a card was lost or stolen, then the cashier usually picked it up as, when paying a photo of the child popped up. Any top ups were done at the till whenever the card got low, so one could add five pounds or any other amount. Children who had free school meals just automatically had the amount for the dish and pudding of the day, added at the beginning of each week. The meal was definitely not as healthy as primary and middle and looked quite repulsive to what I'd had at primary and middle. The vegetables were inevitably overlooked. The meal didn't usually look appetising. Most children seemed to opt for one other options which all had high levels of salt/sugar/fat in it, even post 'Jamie Oliver's' influence. Or I'd often see kids coming out with several chocolate bars, dropping the litter without thought. The secondary I was at, didn't even have sit down facilities from year ten and eleven.
Personally, I put a stop to all the really weird coloured drinks (bright red, yellow, turqoise, green, etc) in the vending machines, firstly on a much maligned trial basis to see if there was a change in behaviour as we were finding lesson two very hard work with hyeracrive students being somewhat problematic. There was a very significant difference in the children's behaviour so it was deemed that the machines had to go. It backfired on those maligned it as the difference was very profound. The board of governors were loathe though as each machine made an 'easy' £3000 profits pa(x 4), making £12,000 profit. This was put into the running of a nearly clapped out school bus and a new one, although I was surprised that they cost that much to run, personally...🤔
School uniform was cheaper at primary school as we could buy it in Tesco, Asda, etc. However when they got to middle school the costs shot up as they needed the school motif on the PE top/sweat shirt and the right coloured brown rucksack, school coloured brown skirt, tie, PE shorts, PE bag and ordinary grey trousers, socks, trainers and plimsoles. At secondary it included all of the above plus school coloured rugby socks, a different polo shirt for rugby, rugby boots and mouth guard.(for girls too).There was a second hand school uniform which was useful, but much of the uniform was well worn🙁.
Oh, and a clear pencil case with along list of requirements including rulers, protractors, compass, erasers, sharpener, different types of pencils, special types of pens, ordinary pens, pencils and coloured pens.A calculator had to be purchased from the school so that they could all learn using the same type of calculator keys. Four lever arch folders, separators and thin clear plastic folders for inside each of the files plus lined and blank paper, drawing paper, drawing pastilles and malleable rubber. All of the above cost a fortune, plus we were expected to check our children's pencil cases often and replace anything low or missing. I ended up buying in bulk, sometimes getting things when they were on special offer.
I'd have been angry to be expected to leave school shoes behind as sometimes there were occasions when they'd be used to wear at the seaside to protect their feet from sharp stones, or a wedding, funeral or a 'dressed up' visit to a restaurant,etc,. I always kept boots, plimsoles and school uniform to hand down to the next child, anyway.
I was always loathe to be expected to pay x into a teachers present. It's become a ridiculous amount of money! I'd often buy the teacher a plant to grow in their garden or a nice bottle of wine is much appreciated! It lasts and can be consumed when chosen, then!
The other practise that annoyed me at all three schools was to hand out brown envelopes with a letter attached asking parents to make contribution to the running of the school with a 'recommended suggestion' of £100😵. Particularly as I'd just forked out for all of the above. I handed back the envelope with a piece of paper, saying "No, sorry, We're unable to ATM", so it didn't feel empty when handed in, which I knew would definitely be felt by the teacher but not opened by them. A note was made on the computer of each envelope handed in.
School trips became more expensive as the children got older. My No1 child was taken to Iceland and was desperate to go to see the Northern Lights. No2 child was taken skiing to America. Now that trip was very expensive as we had to buy all their ski wear, including goggles! Plus it cost far more than the trip to Iceland. Both years when one of the children went away meant the rest of us forwent a family holiday. Except maybe we'd get up early having booked a travelodge on a Saturday night and go away for the weekend.
As for University, that costs even more, although many students extend their loan! No1 racked up £18k as she worked part time too. No2 has racked up well in excess of an est.£45k+ and he's got another year to go too He's never worked and had to redo year one as he failed. Too much partying, some travelling and costs. Books, accommodation, food, student fees (if you decide to pay instead of your child), travel costs maybe a car and clothing. At least they can choose exactly what they want to wear though and designer gear is not an issue. It's more 'in' now to wear 'vintage', aka second hand clothing from a charity shop!😂 I hate to think what No.2 will owe this time next year! Both were able to live at home if they really wished, too, which No.1 did and No.2 not.