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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School constantly asking for money

264 replies

abitofpeace · 15/12/2020 22:30

Just wondering how it is in other people’s primary schools. Ours is constantly asking for money. Usually raffle tickets, etc but more recently some of the parents are selling stuff through the school and giving the profits to the school. It feels like everyday they ask for something!

There is also a monthly (optional) direct debit if parents want to pay regular. Are finances so bad that thee government need such a large boost?

OP posts:
ruby4ever · 15/12/2020 22:33

That seems bizarre. What do they need the money for? I don't understand why they making parents pay here and there towards the school. If our school asks for money, it's been for charity never for the school

WombatStewForTea · 15/12/2020 22:34

School budgets have been massively cut year after year after year.

Original poster
abitofpeace · 15/12/2020 22:37

I’ve no idea what the money is for, I think once they said it was for a new whiteboard. Mostly I have no idea why they are constantly in need of money.The parents are hugely wealthy (I’m not btw) and seem to be always giving a lot of money to the school. Some parents approach large shops and ask for them to give free stuff to the school.

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 15/12/2020 22:39

Just ignore it.

knackersknockersknickers · 15/12/2020 22:42

At least your school has option of regular donation. I'd prefer that to the drip drip our school want. I get school budgets are tight, I work in the public sector, but stop asking me for £1 every other week for some spurious activity.

SilverLake · 15/12/2020 22:42

Many schools are experiencing funding cuts. Ours is also fundraising and it is also optional. Give what you can afford\want to give and move on.

Original poster
abitofpeace · 15/12/2020 22:43

We have that too! It’s pretty much constant requests for money!

OP posts:
shehadsomuchpotential · 15/12/2020 22:44

Yes my kids school does this. But schools are very poorly funded. Our LEA is the second or third lowest funded in the UK. And then within the area we are a school that doesn't get rural schools funding or deprivation funding unlike others around us. And there are very few looked after children etc who all bring in extra funding to the school (school publish stats). We buy our own books and fund any additional context like drama workshops etc ourselves and have a very aggressive pta.

If the school struggles for money it is necessary albeit a pain. But some terms it does feel OTT. So i'd say
Its sadly quite normal.

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 15/12/2020 22:46

I have one in nursery, 2 in school and 1 in secondary school, all of the 'just £1' here and 'we are only asking for £2' there adds up to a bloody fortune. I simply can't do it.

RNBrie · 15/12/2020 22:46

The primary school my children go to have a £35k hole in their finances from loss of income due to covid (mainly from renting out the hall and grounds to activity clubs etc but also additional covid related expenses). They applied to the Gov fund set up to help schools and received back £342.

All the fundraising in the world isn't going to raise £35k...

Original poster
abitofpeace · 15/12/2020 22:50

That’s a lot of money ...

OP posts:
GlummyMcGlummerson · 15/12/2020 22:52

This was rife in my DC's school, and then we got a new Head who sent out an email saying that he was putting a stop to the constant demands for money, and it was so well received. It's a massive PITA to constantly have £1 coins on standby for the next random thin TF the school decides to do

stanski · 15/12/2020 22:53

I get annoyed by the constant emails. I would mind a lot less if they said we need x per year to cover things. Fine, then I can sort it in one go. But the weekly emails really annoy me

Original poster
abitofpeace · 15/12/2020 22:56

I added up the last fortnight to a request of approx £25, made up of a few different items school selling and asking for. I was made redundant recently so really am not in a position to put in so much.

OP posts:
ineedaholidaynow · 15/12/2020 22:56

Many schools have very little money especially if you are in the areas with the lowest funding. Many schools can’t afford the basics especially after having to pay for extras during COVID

Hercwasonasnowball · 15/12/2020 22:57

School budgets are cut to the bone.

Don't feel pressured to contribute though OP. Only give what you can afford.

Ginfordinner · 15/12/2020 22:58

I have one in nursery, 2 in school and 1 in secondary school, all of the 'just £1' here and 'we are only asking for £2' there adds up to a bloody fortune. I simply can't do it.

Sadly, it's par for the course these days, and it is expensive for those who have large families.

State education is massively underfunded these days, and schools are under so much pressure, especially with having to find more resources to make them clean and safe.

DD's school was always doing fund raising activities to pay for extras that simply weren't covered by the school's budget.

I would be very surprised if most schools aren't in deficit by now.

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 15/12/2020 22:58

Same here. Money for own clothes day, sponsor money, donate raffle prizes, buy raffle tickets to 'win' items donated, lottery tickets, it goes on and on.

I'm happy to support but it's the same few people all the time.

Nowaynl · 15/12/2020 22:58

Schools have been struggling for years, it’s hardly surprising under a Tory government. They have faced endless cuts and struggle to buy absolute basics. I teach in a college and we have a daily printing allowance because the college simply can’t afford the paper and ink. Very sad.

DJattheendoftheworld · 15/12/2020 23:00

Ours expect a direct debit of £120 a month. I just can't afford it. It's a state school!

Original poster
abitofpeace · 15/12/2020 23:03

£120 a month! I can’t believe how much some parents must pay!

OP posts:
donquixotedelamancha · 15/12/2020 23:15

Are finances so bad that thee government need such a large boost?

Yes. Budgets have been cut (on average, per pupil) for 9 years. Wages have been cut for 9 years, so teachers aren't buying stuff out of their own pocket as much. Money is syphoned out into private academy chains.

Now schools have to find more cover staff, buy home-working equipment and spend a fortune on cleaning supplies.

It varies a lot, but many schools are in crisis.

loutypips · 15/12/2020 23:19

My dd school is constantly asking for money saying they can't afford pencils and the like. But if you go to the teachers loo and see all the fancy fixtures and fittings it does make you wonder...
they have also brought a minibus - which seems to only be used by teachers, have all "fancy" play equipment fitted ( not in the playground where the kids can actually use it, but facing the street, meaning kids can't play on it as there's no gates or anything around it. It's also constantly breaking.
They should be spending money on things that the kids will actually benefit from, not stuff that's there for show.

AlwaysLatte · 15/12/2020 23:32

Schools are struggling. We have a direct debit and contribute regularly to various fundraising events as well, also help out on PTA, but time and money is scarce for many, especially now. They have to ask but would understand totally if people can't afford it. It's really difficult all round at the moment.

willsa · 15/12/2020 23:32

I can't stand it when schools ask for money, I have no belief whatsoever that it doesn't line someone's pockets.
My son has attended two primary schools - one money grabbing CoE school (the worst offenders imo) and now another state school that has asked for maybe £2 this year. Huge contrast! And £2 I'm happy to donate.
To be fair, I ignore all requests if it becomes excessive.