Should I do this and if so how

[paceyswife]

DD came home with an invitation to a class trip today for a theme park, cost is 22 and I know many in that class can afford it. When I was a similar age we got that letter and my parents would have a- never have read it b- never have been able to afford it and c- not cared either way. I know there is a girl in that class in very disadvantaged circumstances and whilst dd is not her really good friend I can't bear to think of her not going on this trip - probably projecting my personal feelings on the situation. Should I offer to pay anonymously at reception or just leave it, I don't want to make anything worse than it already is or look like some bloody benefactor when I'm not.

You could leave a note at reception to say you are willing to pay for an extra space if needed once the deadline for booking comes up. That way the school does not need to tell you who you paid for as I am not sure they could say to you "x isn't going as she hasn't paid"

If it's a state school I assume it is a voluntary (but highly desired) payment. I'm sure you would be allowed to give a larger contribution, but I'm not sure you could do it specifically for Child X?

It's a really lovely idea. Could you ask at reception if there is any way to donate to the school trip/additional funds?

Does the letter not say anything on it about the payment not being compulsory?

Our school trip letters always say "While payment is not compulsory, the trip is unlikely to go ahead unless we receive enough contributions."

Things like this ^ are for the benefit of the family you mentioned.
Maybe the mum already has some kind of arrangement with School to pay for these kind of things?

I'd be willing to bet that either the school pupil premium or PTA funds will cover it.

But I've done it before, left a note at the office saying I'd pay for anyone unable to pay. School didn't take me up on it, was never mentioned, so no harm done.

And if they do take you up on it, you will know it was really needed. Good on you OP!

The school will be able to help this pupil and those in similar circumstances. This is what pupil premium seems to be there for.

I know the feeling though. This year DDs school are going to Kingswood- it's about £400. A few of the parents have said there's no way that their child is going because the cost- quite sadly one child wanted to know how we could afford for DD to go, because it was SO expensive. If I could afford it I would pay for her, but it's multiple kids who's families can't afford these things.

It's very sad, and it seems very unfair

Also, what teal said.

T'is a lovely thought

At my school it’s voluntary donations and if they are short they put out an appeal to parents for extra funds. You could ask your school if they have similar arrangements and if you can donate towards those unable to go in general.

If this happens in our primary the payment can come out of PTA funds. Worth checking though.

Perhaps put it in an anonymous envelope and say "for any child on x trip that needs help with their contribution. If none please use for other trips."

That's such a lovely consideration. Often pupils are paid for from hardship or pupil premium budgets if it's a class trip.
You could ask at reception what the situation is for pupils whose parents/carers do not pay, and offer to make a contribution to the 'trip'. As pp said, approach school and let them know what you're thinking.

What a lovely thing to think of doing OP

It doesn't say anything about premiums or just paying if you can - other letters have. I might do that - leave a letter to say that if someone can't afford it use this and hope it goes to that pupil. I'm 99 per cent sure the rest of the class can manage it but who knows - I'm projecting I know that but I wish someone had done it for me

The law regarding school trips is clear. No child should be excluded because they can't afford it, there should be policy on this matter. The school should pay for those who cannot afford it or cancel the trip. Letters should make it clear that those who wish to go but can't afford it can be paid for by the school, the reality is that few schools do this.

It's lovely of you to think of this. Ds is going on his first ever trip on Friday and he mentioned that his friends (twins) were not going because they had not paid! I felt exactly like you and talked to dh and we were going to do what you are thinking of, but on Monday ds came home and said all the class are going now, so I don't know if the school have helped or if the parents have managed to pay.
If you approach the school about it please update what they say!

If it is on a school day and a state school then the girl will be paid for.

Even if you do cover the cost, there is no guarantee her parents will sign the permission slip. You use the term disadvantaged, her parents may not accept charity either.

Contributions to trips are voluntary (although obviously they wouldn’t happen if everyone opted out).

If she's that disadvantaged she likely gets pupil premium, the school wouldn't advertise this fact, just speak with parents on a one to one basis. Her costs would be covered by the school.

If you know the mum and think she’ll be happy about this, tell her Pupil Premium funding generally pays at least 50% of school trip costs.

I think curriculum related trips have to be on a contribution basis but not something like a trip to a theme park...

I hesitate to use the term but she is from a problem family - multiple children not even in school infirm - a recent addition to the school. The mum is banned from being on the grounds because of threatening the very lovely head. Now I'm worried about the signing of the permission slip,god what a grim situation.

op I wish some one as kind as you when I was at school my year was taken to Chester zoo. my parents were very well aware of my love of animals and knew it meant the world for me to be able to go but they just could not afford it ,
I knew in my heart that I would not be able to go but that crush when I did not get on the coach . . . . . it is something I will never forget .
I was lucky in the sense that not many of my peers picked on me because we were poor but that one time oh god what I would of done to be 'one of them'

If you can not donate / pay for it directly through the school could you either speak to the parents directly , ie my dc would not want to go if best friend cant go ( tactfully ,/swap baby sitting etc in exchange [ the thing you must go to in summer ] or . . . ) I can help with the fee , or school trips what a rip off how about we go together using this prize / discount / woucher thing I have got . Liying is not right but it does help sometimes

I went into the office, I've been assured that it is a voluntary contribution but they expect most parents to pay. My mind is at rest that the girl I was worried about will go if her mum signs the slip!

That's very kind of you. Our school has a system whereby every family pays a small fee upfront (voluntarily) for school trips throughout the year. And then again in the summer term for specific events such as sports day (we have to travel to bigger sports fields) and a field trip. It's done via an online system and you can put the standard amount in by ticking a box or you can choose to pay a larger amount by typing in. They never ever ask anyone to pay a larger amount. But quite a few of us have figured it out and quietly just increase the amount we pay annually to help cover for those families that don't or can't. I think it's a nice way to do it because it's all completely anonymous and no one knows anything about it.