Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

End of term reward but only if you can afford it...

169 replies

Afterthenight · 19/07/2017 18:18

Possible unreasonable here and open to admit it.

Dds school are going to a theme park on Friday as an end of term trip. The trip was £50 plus food/spends and then as they were back late we would of needed to get a taxi part back due to no buses into the village at that time. We just couldn't afford it.

Near us there are a tree top wires, zip line place, roller skating/ice skating/bowling/cinema/escape rooms and all kinds of lovely places that the kids would have enjoyed for a fraction of the price.

Those kids who can't afford are in normal lessons all day on Friday with the 'naughty' and children who aren't allowed to go.

Aibu to think they could book somewhere cheaper which meant all children who earned a reward could go.

We were told about the trip two weeks ago.

OP posts:
Blossomdeary · 20/07/2017 09:20

That is far too much. Here the PSA stump up for children who cannot afford the outings; and we have a school fund too. No child is left behind because of finances. I should keep her at home and take her to one of the local attractions that you have described. I would also inform the school that this is not on.

FlandersRocks · 20/07/2017 09:24

I don't think there's anything wrong with the trip tbh. The fact that it's an end of term trip makes no difference - there are always trips that cost X and activities or clubs that cost X that some just won't be able to afford.

Giving 2 weeks notice of a fairly expensive trip is shit though.

Original poster
Afterthenight · 20/07/2017 09:47

Flanders I don't have issue with the trip venue per say more the following.

Giving more than two weeks notice of the payment so families who could pay given time can pay.

Having funds or fundraising for those kids who cannot pay at all.

If they can't do that they should pick somewhere cheaper and more affordable as it is meant to be a reward for all kids.

I think there's a difference between a year 8 trip to Paris where the rest of the school are in school and only a certain amount of kids will go and a whole school reward trip where you will be one of less than ten probably left in school.

OP posts:
ChasedByBees · 20/07/2017 10:35

I would 100% not send my child in to school in these circumstances. What will you do OP?

DelphiniumBlue · 20/07/2017 11:36

Schools are not allowed to stop children going on wholke class trips just because they haven't paid. Payment is voluntary. Tell the head you want your child to go but can't afford it, and ask her to let you know what they can offer. Then take it up with the Governors.
This is not inclusive, in fact it is direct discrimination against the less well off.

araiwa · 20/07/2017 11:49

A theme park for the day with my school mates would have sounded great to young me.

Its being presented as an option. Noone has to go. Far cheaper than taking them yourself and i bet theyll enjoy it more

BewareOfDragons · 20/07/2017 13:18

Delphinium, I think that only applies to educational trips during school hours. Things like fun days out and pantomime trips aren't part of the curriculum, and as 'extras' children can be excluded. Same for residentials, as they fall outside of school hours. Exceptions can be asked for Pupil Premium children if they still have money in their allocation.

WhatThePuck · 20/07/2017 17:35

My DC letter said if there were not enough people paying then no one could go
I understand the coach would have a minimum but wouldn't you then book accordingly Hmm

Maireadplastic · 20/07/2017 17:50

This is bad. Awful.
Technically, payment is voluntary but who's going to call them on it?
I would not want my children in a school that thinks this is okay.

Shona52 · 20/07/2017 17:51

I agree I don't think the school has thought it through about it being inclusive for every family to afford and I feel for you xx. Maybe this needs to be raised with the school for future trips

user1485778793 · 20/07/2017 17:58

Your dd won't spend the day with all the naughty kids coz most of them will be skiving off....I never had a full class on the last day of the year and most lessons were collapsed and kids from different years were put in the same classroom.....bored because their mates were at theme parks and they had a shitty crossword to do

bbismad · 20/07/2017 18:12

YANBU that's a disgrace. I woudld put it to school as you've put it on here. It is punishing those who can't afford it

DeanKoontz · 20/07/2017 18:15

What's with all the Naughty / well behaved comments on this thread?

These trips are a stupid idea anyway. My very lovely but quiet daughter never gets picked for anything like this and it is slowly eroding her self esteem. This term she hasn't been recognised at awards evening, chosen for a day trip to Alton Towers, or given one of the many weekly rewards for good behaviour, etc etc. The school is awash with award/reward systems for this that and the other, but because she's a quiet, middle of the road student who never draws attention to herself she is barely recognised.

The $50 cost is just another level of discrimination.

BeepBeepMOVE · 20/07/2017 18:17

I think it's a nice trip for them on the last day and something they'd never normally get to do in a big school group. Should have given you a bit more notice though or possibley had a fundraising type fete to cover costs for the children- all the children. They also should have got nice big group discount.

I agree with PP it is a optional trip. You are opting out.

Brakebackcyclebot · 20/07/2017 18:23

Hang on a minute. Are you saying that this trip is for children who have earned a reward, but it costs £50. Those who have earned the reward, but can't afford it, have to spend the day with those have have not earned the reward. Is that right?

If the above is correct, that is OUTRAGEOUS!

DS's school run a reward system. The top reward is a day trip to a theme park, or water slide pool or whatever the school decides that year. It is fully funded by the school. Parents do not pay at all, it is a reward for those kids who have worked really hard to earn the points. Only about 10% of kids manage that. There is then a second reward for those who earned the next level down - which is usually to wear own clothes and watch a movie in the theatre. More kids get this award.

chocatoo · 20/07/2017 18:27

Check whether there is a possibility of school paying for your child - all schools have a hardship fund. However, I realise that things are not always that simple - we have been in a position where we could not claim financial hardship yet could not possibly afford that much money, especially at such short notice! I would raise this as a matter of priority with the board of school governors - contact details will be on the school website. YADNBU!

MrsR31 · 20/07/2017 18:39

Hardly a reward if the parents are forking out over £100 for it! Surely the school could have organised something affordable that all well behaved kids could attend. I'd def be complaining!

Saucery · 20/07/2017 18:43

That's awful, DeanKoontz, I don't agree with that at all. DS's school used to do that, based on the Merit system and it seemed really unfair. He always chose not to go, though, as theme parks not his Thing. There were plenty of others not going so it wasn't like any kind of punishment.
This year it is all pupils, barring those suspended or in ISO at any time in the preceding terms. He really doesn't want to spend the day doing what they are doing (if they even turn up) so I've paid for him to go.

Original poster
Afterthenight · 20/07/2017 18:51

Yes brake basically all children who have earned the reward are invited to a theme park as a reward. The only kids not allowed are those who have been suspended, in isolation more than once or have bullied etc.

Only the reward trip costs £50.
I have been told today that there was some financial help available for those on free school meals (we aren't) but it was very limited.

Dds older friend said that last year five children remained in school. The majority of the kids who weren't allowed to go due to behaviour just truanted. The kids who remained did normal lessons.

OP posts:
Lynnm63 · 20/07/2017 18:54

I'd keep my dc off school in this instance and maybe go to the cinema as a treat instead.

Original poster
Afterthenight · 20/07/2017 19:03

She's staying off tomorrow. My older dd who is at a different school has already finished so we will do something nice.

My friend who is in the same position is taking her dd skating.

OP posts:
Donthate · 20/07/2017 19:04

Keep her off and email the head saying how disappointed you are that they were not given more notice/ a more accessible trip. Some parents will have two or three in school £50 is too much.

Maireadplastic · 20/07/2017 19:05

Beepbeep- you have no idea. OP and any parent in this situation does not want to say no. If you can't afford it, the only option is no. That is not optional, it is the opposite.

grannytomine · 20/07/2017 19:08

DeanKootz, your poor daughter. These things don't seem to get thought through. I'm sure someone thought it was a lovely idea to do all these things and their motives were good but it doesn't always feel like that does it.

grannytomine · 20/07/2017 19:10

Afterthenight, if money is tight I just wondered if you have any nectar points. They are doing an offer of 2 pizza express mains or 2 vue cinema tickets for 1000 points. Might that be a cheap treat. I'm getting some to treat the grandchildren.