to think we shouldn't have to buy the set book for GCSE English Lit?

[chomalungma]

We have been asked to buy the book that DS is currently studying for GCSE Eng Lit.

Yes - I can afford it. But that's not the point. There are many families who are on tight budgets. Apparently other subjects require the parents to buy equipment as well.

English is a compulsory GCSE. The school should have sets available to read.

I know that schools are on very tight budgets. I am not blaming the school at all. It's not an academy.

I blame the Conservative party. I hope people remember these cuts and the effect they have had on their children for the last 10 years when it comes to the election.

@Nannyamc what on earth are you talking about?
In Ireland education is free, just the same as U.K. You don't pay to send kids to the local National School.
I moved over from the UK and the main difference was buying extra school supplies such as stationery, copy books etc.
However, the uniform at DS's National School is very basic. No blazer, no logo'ed jumper, they can wear any type of shoe. No special PE kit.
The uniform costs have been much cheaper than at his old Primary school in the UK.

The big bonus is no silly sanctions if you choose to take your kids out of school during term time, plus no pointless SATS crap.

I did A'levels in 1985. We didn't buy books, I used school copies and the local library. You certainly weren't encouraged to write in them in those days at my school. That would be considered a heinous crime. (Miners strike so couldn't afford sod all.) You were expected to write all your notes in a notebook. I did Law at Uni and was quite taken aback when I discovered you were expected to underline bits of your Statute book.

Not RTFT but what is the book?

We didn't have to buy our English Lit books back in 1990. School copy that had to be handed back before we could get our exam results.
I am glad too, I definitely wouldn't have treasured the crappy books we had to study. It's a good job I already loved reading or they would have put me off for life.

My parents had to buy all of my GCSE language and literature texts back in the 90s.

My son is only in year 2, but we have been asked to provide all the stationary he needs in a pencil case, and asked to pay a set amount of money to cover the exercise books he will use this year. Apparently the school can no longer afford to supply these things and keep the same number of staff.

I do agree, though, that these things are expensive for poorer families.

Parents DO have to contribute. By participating in your school and fund raising no child should be without equipment and books needed to reach their potential. If you are lucky enough to afford these things, don't moan about paying for them, turn your attention to those that can't afford it and help them access the things they need.

You sound as if you are extremely involved in your grand-daughters life, because you say WE have to pay for her glasses etc. Are you raising her or are you helping out her parent/s with costs? Not all parents have a grandparent willing or able to help with finances.

Just asked DP if he ever had to buy any of his English books. Obviously not as common to buy your own school books as people on here are saying. I find it completely bizzar. Especially once you are talking about the amount of books needed for English by the time of GCSEs.

It's three texts. One modern, one Victorian (so always available v cheaply) and one play. The poetry anthology is provided by the exam board. Just buy them.

Ive seen loads of those GCSE books in charity shops and on car boots that covers all Educational needs. The end of the school year is the best time to pick them up but its worth a hunt and it will save you a fortune.

@CantSleepClownsWillEatMe precisely. And many parents will refuse to contribute towards things that their child won't be allowed to keep, regardless of whether the cost is much lower than buying the book.

Schools can't win.

YABU So bored of people bleating that they have to contribute to their child's education in anyway whatsoever. Children need clothing (inc uniform), stationary, cooking ingredients and the occasional book.

Only in the UK would people complain that they have to spend a few pounds on a set piece of literature for their child, which would allow the child to annotate and keep the book. This is what is so messed up about this country, reluctance to contribute just a small amount for something that is very important and has educational value. Your contribution will help free up resources for the school. I seriously doubt children in need will be denied access to the text. Books are readily available second hand or at the library for free. New books are not expensive in paperback.

I wish people could pour this grumpy energy into, say, the poor state of our public care system, or some other cause desperately worthy of attention.

So bored of people bleating that they have to contribute to their child's education in anyway whatsoever

Me too. I can understand if you are totally on the bread line, in which case the school will help. But otherwise...honestly? Just buy a book.

Buy the book! Keep the book! Re-read the book!

Books should be valued. They are not a luxury. That's why we still have libraries.

Op, you seem to think that buying a book is an imposition, so I'm guessing there aren't too many books in your house if it's such a big event for you. Don't pass that attitude onto your child.

Stop pretending it's about the environment-too much shite being pinned on this.

Anyone who thinks buying a book is a waste of anything is obviously thick.

Burning books ( and this phrase covers those fools who think books aren't important)is a byword for a society that is on its knees.

If you can afford it, buy the book. I bet you don't balk at buying shit like computer games.

People have all these kids then act outraged when it costs them some money

What's bizarre is that over on the Christmas board messages will soon flood in from people asking what to buy their kids for Christmas because they already have a bike, a phone, a tablet, a mountain of lego and so on and on and on because they can't think of anything their child doesn't have.

But spending money a few months earlier on pretty normal school supplies for their education and suddenly it's all too expensive or unnecessary or should be provided foc. Crazy priorities.

Obviously there are people who genuinely make choices between food, heat & textbooks and there are pathways to help via the school.

I love books. Have 1000s of them. Work in the book industry.

I hate Thomas Hardy. I don't want to spend a penny of my money on him just because some exam board says I need to know The Mayor of Casterbridge inside out to prove some point.

Not wanting to pay for a random GCSE set book does not equal a hatred of books and reading. That is an incredibly stupid argument.

(My point is also stupid but honestly? Accusing people not wanting to pay for set texts of hating books is boggling dense.)

No, it is not a stupid argument but I can see that you find it hard to follow. No matter.

But if you think that you shouldn't have to buy a book because you don't like the author, then opt out of the exam.

I don't suppose you want to do that, so let the taxpayer buy it for you.

Eh? Who cares if you like Hardy and the Mayor of Casterbridge? It’s a set text. Buy it, read it and study it then benefit from good exam results that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Jeez.

@CassianAndor and how would you know you disliked Hardy if you’d never read any because nobody bought you the book....? Nobody is saying that young people have to like the entire literary canon. What people are saying is that exposure to canon has merit, particularly when study is required to pass your exams and that therefore buying books is beneficial.

@CassianAndor

I have to say this before you reply, as I'm going out.

I shan't be at all surprised if you now pop up to say you have studied Hardy, have a top degree and work in the higher echelons of 'the book industry'.

I'd love to place a bet on it but as it's a surefire thing, I guess William Hill wouldn't allow me to place it!

Really?! Schools have been asking parents to buy books, ingredients and even cover new text books with I seem to remember wallpaper! for many years. Its nothing new and certainly nothing to do with a Tory government.

Our children receive an amazingly high standard of education in this country which is free. This is not the norm across the world and I think is often taken for granted. To have to purchase the odd text book here and there for your child to annotate isn't really a big ask.

A couple of years ago my Daughter convinced her English teacher that the class should read Lord of the Flies rather than any of the popular teen fare that was on the short list on offer. "The Fault in their Stars" etc She'd read them all and "they were all crap". We ended up buying books for the whole class.

@donotcovertheradiator considering she’s on another thread saying she loves ‘Twilight’, I think not!

When I did GCSE Eng lit 1986-1988 the books were all provided by school and we had to cover them. Same for science textbooks.

I didn't do Eng lit A level but for the subjects I did do, there was a bit of a mix, we were provided some books by school and others we bought so we could write in them. But I think at A level it's a bit different as there are fewer subjects.

DS started sixth form college yesterday and I had to pay about £80 for the various materials for his three subjects. It did say though that if you had a difficult financial situation you should contact the college.

@FenellaMaxwell love books studied english literature at uni but there have been books for GCSE and IB that I really did not enjoy and am glad did not have to be purchased. Yes annotations are vital but sticky notes and tabs get around that. Not wanting to buy a book just because it is needed for an exam does not mean that there are no books in the house or that the family does not value books.