To be worried have inadvertently become a CF?!

[LartenCrepsley]

MN jury, am I a CF? All the recent CF threads have got me questioning this...
I teach at a small independent school. I’ve been there several years and, although it pays significantly less (£10k-ish) than teaching in a state school would, there are several perks to working there, the biggest being reduced prices for my two DC. I’m charged no tuition fees. I know I am very lucky in this respect.
It’s a private school so obviously uniform is a big thing. The uniform is very specific and the policy is strictly enforced (by me and my colleagues). The uniform is only available from one shop and it’s eye-wateringly expensive (one summer dress is £45! A blazer can cost up to £85.). However the uniform is very good quality and lasts well. We regularly get donations of pristine uniform pupils have out-grown. These donations are sold at school to boost our funds a bit. The used uniform sale brings in around £50 a year, so it’s not a huge amount. I have been helping myself to uniform to kit out both DC. I have not been donating any money in return. When the uniform is finished with, I will return it all to school.
AIBU? CF? Or is this ok?

So, what are you going to do OP? Keep on skimming the good stuff, or kick back a bit of cash?

Even at dds state primary there is a used uniform sale. I dont get involved, just donate usuable bits (esp the regulation cardigans) to dds friends. Rest goes to local free uniform facebook site.
On reflection op, not only is this a true 1st world problem at a private school that offers not one child a bursary or fee concession (i mistakenly thought that was part of charitable status but i guess your school doesnt claim it) but you are not really bothered in the slightest. You have justified it to yourself. Maybe make a donation to a charity instead that helps needy children?

You are being a massive CF (and you know it)
You already get free places for your kids fgs!

What is being a CF is asking “am I a CF’ and then when the majority of respondents say ‘yes, you are’ drip feeding to tell us why we are wrong.

Make a donation for goodness sake. You wouldn’t have asked the question if you didn’t have some doubts about your actions.

You should definitely be making a donation - I don't see why you would think you were exempt from this?

Your drip feed makes the whole thread pointless so on that basis YABU So bore off

But actually YABU to just take uniform that should be being sold for donations. Kids going to private school free is a perk of the job. Free uniforms aren’t.

Unless you were explicitly told to do this, you are a CF.

The parents presumably give the uniform to raise for school funds, and although not much is made, I would make a donation, you are still getting a bargain.

And actually you’re not “worried” in the slightest about being a CF, kids like bragging about it

• more not kids

It's not borrowing as the clothes are wearing more. I would donate the same as any other parent.

You’re making every excuse in the book but yes you are being massively cheeky and unfair. If the whole school uniform resale only makes £50 a year (how?) then donate £50 a year and help yourself. Hardly a fortune and MUCH cheaper than new uniform.

Entitled CFery. Irrelevant what your colleagues think. The other parents would not be impressed.

Have you been caught with your hand in the donations box, op? Were you hoping to show someone this thread as validation for your thieving?
Shame...

You say the school owner knows. Have they okayed it or are they just letting it go?
Either way I think you need to pay something as the parents have donated the uniforms to help school funds rather than just selling them. They can’t be charging much per item if they make £50 a year so just throw the quid or whatever in that you would charge someone else. A perk would be getting first look at it imo. I would be embarassed to be pinching it when it’s such a low price!

I would personally set out all the uniform for the fair, wait a respectable length of time and then buy or donate (thereby getting no unfair advantage). I think your school should charge a low amount for each item (takes the stigma of a freebie away).

I too work in an independent school. If we use the second hand uniform shop we pay the same as the parents would. These after all are items that parents have donated to help raise funds for the school so me taking them would be wrong!
That said £50 is a very low amount, can't imagine what is happening there, ours raises hundreds as things are sold at 1/2 new price....
The only exception to this is items left for over 12 months in our oft touted around lost property pile, which anyone is welcome to...but they tend to be smelly!!
I would make a donation now, and ask whoever manages the donations for a suitable price to pay in future.

Ok. Again, I apologise for drip feeds and wasting time.
On the back of this thread I phoned the boss/owner and explained that I was feeling a bit uncomfortable about accepting the uniform. He has said he won’t accept any money for it.

Just read through. Very odd situation, must be a tiny school!

I would suggest making amends but setting up a proper second hand uniform shop that is well advertised. They can be a gold mine for the school and helpful for parents. Win win.

Tiny school is an accurate description!

I’m trying not to get drawn into revealing any further details now.

I do appreciate people’s thoughts, though.

You need a real worry. Can't believe you interrupted your head's holiday with such trivialities. I'd be so annoyed if I were her. Don't know why you think you'd earn 10k more at a state school. Most private schools follow the standard main scale.

Quite a few people assuming they know what I’m paid and what the school’s fees are. That’s surprising, given that I haven’t disclosed either of these.

And the head was in school today, and I knew that.

You knew the HT was in the school today?
Why did you imagine they’d welcome being interrupted with this nonsense?!

That was record time to phone and check with the owner then come back to update
Even if the owner is fine with it it’s the parents who are being duped because they are donating to help the school and/or people on low incomes. You are doing neither. Do you honestly think as many parents would donate if it was advertised that they were giving the uniform to the teachers children for free? They’d be better off selling it and donating the proceeds to the school.
And despite what you say in your op, a teacher, who has her kids private ,
education paid for, isn’t on a low income.