Secondary School - 'Donations'

[smithyssister]

Have namechanged for this. DD is off to secondary school in September - a state school but an all girls grammar if that makes a difference.

We've received a welcome pack that asks us to contribute at least £15 a month, by standing order (!), to the school fund. In return we get a 'free' scientific calculator and dictionary. DD's friend is also going and her mum said to me this morning they'll be giving £50 a month Keeping up with the Jones' starts here..?!

WIBU to tell them it's not free if it costs me £180 a year?!

Ave I agree if I didn't have a child I would still be paying taxes toward school. Which I have done for over twenty years before having said child and will continue to do so. I really dont object to any of my money going to public services and education. I really just feel that if all parents started saying NO the yes it could cause problems in school but it would lead to people putting increased pressure on and lobbying the government for increased funding. We are masking a systemic problem. I can totally agree that we should pay for school trips wherever possible and I am sure that there are people who could afford to pay that don't unfortunately there is we can do to change some people.

Why do people keep saying that education is free? It’s not, it’s funded by tax revenue. If schools (and other public services) need more funding, then taxes need to increase. If people can’t afford to pay enough taxes to fund public services properly, then wages need to increase. And we should be going after all the big tax avoiders.

None of this will happen under a Tory govt as this model fits their ideology perfectly. As this thread shows, better off families who can pay for “extras” (which are often basic educational resources) will do so, and schools in poorer areas will continue down the spiral due to their inability to attract private sponsorship in the form of donations from parents. It is totally a form of privatisation.

My parents used to pay £20 a month to my school when I was there as a voluntary donation. Schools don't get funded well enough so they hve to make up the shortfall somehow. You don't have to pay it, if you can't afford it, don't do it.

My parents used to pay £20 a month to my school when I was there as a voluntary donation. Schools don't get funded well enough so they hve to make up the shortfall somehow. You don't have to pay it, if you can't afford it, don't do it.

@makingmammaries (great name BTW)

The government don't see education as a priority except for the well educated, wealthy parents who care enough to send their children to a private school. This government claim there is no money yet can throw millions (billions?) at other things that they consider worthwhile. Education isn't one of them.

Somebody else said:

Anyone seen the news today? The government is asking schools to make up the shortfall with poor and neglected children with food shoes and clean clothing where is that going to come from

Teacher's pockets. I've put a bowl of fruit in the classroom on numerous occasions and taken in old uniform from my DCs which has been sent home with a needy child who has spilt lunch/paint/whatever on their uniform knowing full well it won't come back - and I haven't wanted it to. I'm far from unique.

I would be more than happy to donate my sons clothes when he has finished with them to whoever can benefit from them.

Our local schools have a uniform bank, parents can buy things very cheaply but items are given free to dc who need them. They've also done a prom bank where people have donated dresses, accessories and suits etc.

The government is asking schools to make up the shortfall with poor and neglected children with food shoes and clean clothing where is that going to come from

This government is a fucking disgrace. I work in a school (not a Teacher) and my colleagues and I regularly pay out of our own pockets for food, San Pro, stationary, kit for school trips etc for our more disadvantaged students. Not to mention we've been buying our own resources for interventions and funding our own training courses for years. It all adds up.
My school has had its budget decimated while the government continues to find money to give tax breaks to the wealthy and to big corporations. The governments response to the crisis in children's mental health is that schools "need to do more", while slashing their funding so they can't afford to employ pastoral staff, school counselors, run specialist interventions etc.

I am willing to the School Fund for my DC because I want their school to be able to continue to offer educational experiences and interventions that will otherwise be lost, but I agree it's frustrating for parents to be expected to make up for the governments failings.

to contribute to the School fund, sorry.

I like to make contributions to my dc school when I can afford and also volunteer if they need helpers for trips or events.

I would be so delighted if my dc got into a top school like yours that I would definitely pay each month, unless I couldn't afford it. You're being tight tbh.

DD’s school asks for£50/school year. That is a lot less than what I normally paid in primary for all kind of PTA fundraising and it basically pays for the same kind of things, equipment, books, trip subsidiary, music and art provisions.

I do not like it but understand it. Two years ago there was the threat of the school only doing a 4 1/2 day week to save money.

Schools are in crisis.

£15 per month, 50p per day. Just pay it