To ask if this actually voluntary then or not? School trip fees

[Barkface]

Got an email regarding a trip for ds. It's an oversees trip (£800) for 5 days. Whenever my dc have had residential trips my understanding was payment was not optional, you had to pay if you wanted them to go. Which is fine. But this has confused me. Email states:
"Under the terms of the 1996 Education Act, payments for activities of this nature must be voluntary and it is only fair to state that the visit taking place is dependent on its financial viability and if insufficient parents choose for their child to participate such as to cover the costs it may be necessary to cancel the trip. Please let me know if there are particular difficulties.

For students in receipt of free school meals, please contact me to discuss how the school might be able to support you with funding this opportunity.

The method of payment will be via your secure online ParentPay account (www.parentpay.com) from September, however would we ask that you pay your non- refundable deposit of £100 via bank transfer no later than 4th July if you would like to your child to participate."

Could it be because it will actually be educational (as opposed to a week away at Butlins), so has to be voluntary? How do you voluntarily not pay a deposit but still expect to go? I am planning on saving this up for ds, it was just surprising to see the voluntary disclaimer.

I was under the impression that 'overnight' trips were always optional, even if 'educational', because they extend well beyond the actual school day and require supervision over the nonschool portions of the day.

I think this school is being too cautious in saying it's voluntary, frankly, and should state that it's mandatory if their child wants to go, with of course the exception of supporting PP children financially where necessary.

PatriciaHolm beat me to it.

There is a difference in day trips required to fulfil Curriculum and 'Resdientials'.

Most schools ask for voluntary contributions to cover the cost, but by including that statement they are explaining that the trip won't go ahead without enough people paying. If your child is eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant, schools usually devote part of this grant to cover trip costs for them. However, a school cannot discriminate against a child attending a curriculum based trip on the basis that their parents can't afford to pay the costs.

If it is an educational trip, then I suppose it has to be voluntary. If attendance on the trip is a vital part of, say, a specific part of the GCSE curriculum, then it would make things incredibly hard for those who simply can't afford it otherwise.

If they want to go and you can afford it, then pay - if you can't afford it, talk to the school.

This happens at our school
It’s voluntary but won’t go ahead if not enough people pay
So it’s not really voluntary at all but legally they can’t say that
Daft really

Ah yes - I happen to know a lot about this.

As others have said If it’s around the national curriculum then you can’t exclude anyone from coming because they haven’t paid. That’s the voluntary bit of it. And mostly schools know that not all parents will be able to pay. However the trip may not be possible from a cost perspective if not enough parents are willing to make the contribution to cover costs like the coach, enters cs tickets etc etc. Often the school or PTA will make good a shortfall but not necessarily and it may depend how big this shortfall is. In this case the whole trip is cancelled and payments made are returned.

For non- curriculum events then its up to parents if they want their child to go buy they’ll need to make full payment if they are.

So the trip might be cancelled but the deposit is non refundable... That wouldn't fill me with confidence!

If you have signed up to go, and pay, and paid deposit of course they will ask you for the rest.
They won't ask if you didn't say you were going.
It must be voluntary, you can't compel people to send a child, may be other reasons than money. If you sign up you pay, unless arrangements are made so you don't have to

I also read it as participation in the trip is voluntary but also relies on a volume of numbers. So they can’t force you to pay to go but if too few ‘opt in’ the trip won’t be financially viable to run.

Children don't need private schools, or houses in nice areas. They just need their parents to enjoy their company. what was your experience of life with your parents...that may be informing your decision?

Yes they do!!!