IIU to charge to see school Christmas production

[VanessaShanessaJenkins]

Is it unreasonable (rather than am I) to charge parents for tickets to Christmas production?

For context: bog standard KS1 Christmas production of songs and a little acting, taking place during school time, in the school hall, with costumes parents have provided.

As a primary teacher, I currently buy backing paper, art supplies, books for the reading corner, crayons, felt tip pens, prizes and topic resources while facing redundancy due to budget cuts. Meanwhile senior leadership and some parents demand more school trips, extra tuition, Broadway style assemblies and more that we just can't afford. A couple of quid for a nativity is really no big deal. For those saying some won't be able to afford it, most schools would make allowances for that.

I think it's more than reasonable, but that the school is very brave to do so

YANBU. Why don't schools just make you drop £1 in a bucket at the door every morning, it would be a lot easier and less annoying for all concerned.

We don't charge. We have a refreshment stall, raffle and tombola at the performances and usually make around £2000 over 8 performances.

The way things are going be thankful your child gets a free education.
Budgets are getting slimmer and staff expected to do ever more.

My DD’s school has been been charging £1/tickets for Christmas productions since at least when DS started 8 years ago.

It's completely normal to charge a minimal amount for a show / production like this.

back we clearly have very different ideas of counting! I counted 10 say outright it was unreasonable/ unacceptable and 7 who said it's fine or they didn't mind. 20 didn't actually answer the question as to whether it's unreasonable.

And at no point have I mentioned it's a problem for me at all. Being a teacher and a parent means when parents are kicking off about something (like in this case) I find it difficult as I see things differently to the non teaching parents.

While a school may not have to justify the decision to charge it seems that writing an extra sentence on the letter regarding increasing school budgets blah blah would have potentially prevented the backlash it has caused.

And once again I am talking about 6 and 7 year olds mostly singing. No props/required and definitely no expensive scripts and music purchased.

Our school charges when we use the local theatre, but not when we perform in school. However I end up buying the play ( school buys the license) and I often end up buying costumes and props etc as well as doing all rework to our it on. I wish we did charge then I could get some money back but the budget is too tight and I feel bad off the children don't get chances to do drama

OP surely , as a teacher, you have spent far more than £5.50 on your own class this year. Asking parents (assuming 2 parents or parent plus GP etc.) to pay this amount to watch the performance and support the school doesn't seem that unreasonable - unless you are in an area where parents are unlikely to afford this.

I am saying this as a teacher and parent.

Ideally, schools would be properly funded and neither teachers nor parents would be required to provide funds for basic resources. So YANBU to think it should be free to watch your child's performance.

But.... funding is shit and schools do what they can so YAB a bit U to stress about having to buy a ticket.

Sorry OP re read your last post and realised you are not being unreasonable you were just seeking opinions . Blame being tired and a couple of glasses of wine.

Besides, presumably someone has to pay for the extra lighting, heating and caretaking staff who keep school.open.

I paid 20p per copy in.the library today cos I've run out of copying credits in.school.

Schools are properly skint.

We charge for extra tickets because parents ask for additional tickets meaning others miss out and then they don't turn up. Parents and grandparents miss out each year because of selfish parents claiming more tickets and not using them. Oddly enough just £1 is enough to ensure they don't get wasted.

As a teacher I think this is totally wrong. I've put on 10 school Christmas shows and never once payed for a production of licence, it's very unnecessary, you're literally surrounded by people who can play the piano and write a simple play. Never had an issue with pulling one together. The idea that you are charging for something that is during the school day is disgraceful. Those saying a couple of £ will not stop anyone are very blinkered to the situation some families are currently in. This week alone we've been asked for money for non bullying day to wear odd socks, £1 each for a poppy, school photo and £5 for a calendar, and then another £5 for Children in need if the children wanted to take part in the games. I'm disgusted to stay that my daughter came home and said some children couldn't join in because they had no money, for children in need, I had given my daughter extra and she gave 6 other children her money so they could all have a go and missed out herself. I know several parents are using food banks, yes schools are in dire need to funding but so are many families. Do a raffle, sell tea and biscuits, do a program, pass a bucket, let those who can pay but don't make a mum come in and grovel for free seat to watch their child in the Christmas play.

But some parents pick and choose what they pay for. Doc's school gas a massive problem with people not paying for stuff. School dinners are free fir some, but it's those who could pay that don't. Same as school.trips. I did notice children.in need died a death this year. I explained to school that it was cos it was taking the piss if some of the kids. In their school actually needed help, to be expected to help others.

I explained to school that it was cos it was taking the piss if some of the kids. In their school actually needed help, to be expected to help others.

Flaskfan Don’t be so silly. It’s a valuable lesson for children to learn we should still help those less fortunate than ourselves even when we are struggling, else we end up with adults with attitudes like yours.

Who ever said they can write it... good for you. Where do you work? Because while pre having a family that’s something I may have given up my weekend to do, these days I simply don’t have the time! And even if you say it only takes an hour, that’s an hour I simply don’t have.

My SC's school charges every year. £3 a ticket for the first 4 tickets and £5 for any additional. Of course every year my husband is made to pay the £5 because the cheaper tickets go to his ex wife and her parents. That's the cheekiest bit, the charging doesn't bother us so much as it goes into the school fund

It’s unreasonable to charge.

It’s a small play that hasn’t cost the school anything. Parents are already providing the costume.

My daughters school sales tea, coffee, wine and even peroni!
They do a raffle as well but we are not charged to go in.

But that's what I'm saying- some of the kids in dc school ARE children in need. Asking them to ask their parents for money is just wrong. The parents that WON'T pay are generally not the ones who are struggling.

In your case it is and I wouldn't be happy.

DD's school started charging £1.50/adult when they moved from the school hall to the large auditorium of the senior school to have the opportunity to do better plays, more space, more space for parents.

This does costs money though, just a contribution to insurance but still. Also, the school provides 75% of all costumes and props, what we get to supply is more along the lines of "black legging and white top", so nothing which isn't already in most wardobes or could be borrowed easily. They get the external music teacher to come in and help.

isspace, not England, funding levels are published & husband is a governor. It’s well known in our area & funding differences are quite obvious in certain (tech, before & after school provisions for example).