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AIBU?

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Original poster

What will happen if I'm behind on paying for the trip?

172 replies

UndertheCedartree · 25/02/2023 10:17

Really worrying about this. I have spoken to school about it but not been given a response. So just wanted to see what is usual procedure.

In December I signed my DD up for the Y6 residential trip. In January we found out the cost - £350 😮 A payment plan was set up for those who couldn't afford to pay it outright. £50 in Jan, £100 in Feb, £100 in March, £50 in April and £50 in May. Trip is end of June.

I'm on a low income and I'm struggling with the payments. I've paid the £50 for Jan and I've saved up £30 so far for the February payment.

Will my DD not be allowed to go if I haven't paid it all by May or even June? It would crush her. I wouldn't not pay but I wish it could have been spread out longer to pay. £100 out of a month's budget is so much! It's my DC's birthdays in March and April and I had a large unexpected expense in January too 😥

OP posts:
HipposHaveNipples · 25/02/2023 10:18

You need to pay on schedule, or talk to the school and see if you can work something out. But they can absolutely not let her go if you haven't paid.

user1494050295 · 25/02/2023 10:22

Ask the school for a payment plan

EnglishRose1320 · 25/02/2023 10:25

I'm really sorry you're struggling, it's awful when schools do this. Our school gives you the whole of year 5 to make payments for the year 6 residential, so much easier to manage.

When you say you are on a low income, are you eligible for free school meals? If so, the school should be able to offer you a reduced cost for the trip.

The best thing to do, is to be honest with the school, check if they will let her go, even if you don't complete payments in time. You don't want to pay as much as you can and then lose that money, because it wasn't enough and she still can't go. So check if they give refunds/check if they allow a longer payment period/ask about hardship funds etc...

Schools normally want as many as the yr6's to be able to go as possible and if they have some money allocated and can see you are really struggling, they will hopefully help.

Bunnyishotandcross · 25/02/2023 10:27

When my 2 dd's were asked on the same trip the school suggested they paid for 1 from school funds...

Singleandproud · 25/02/2023 10:27

Does your child receive pupil premium? You may not have received a response yet because they are looking into different funding avenues.

The child who is going on the trip gets trip things as birthday presents this year, wellies, waterproofs, wash bag etc. Any family who might normally give cash gifts ask to contribute to the trip instead.

Another option would be to suggest and organise a fundraising event that could be used to decrease the price of the entire trip for everyone. At DDs school the year 6s were given £20 per group (£2.50 per child in groups of 8) to make a hamper and they could use donations from home, they then sold raffle tickets before and after school and at the Easter fayre where they did the prize draw which decreased the price by a fairly large amount.

WandaWonder · 25/02/2023 10:28

Wouldn't it make more sense to contact and discuss with the school? None of us can say what your school would do or not

WhereAreMyAirpods · 25/02/2023 10:29

You should speak to the school right away. They will not want your child missing out and will be able to arrange for you to pay over a longer period.

bellylaughsalldaylong · 25/02/2023 10:29

Phone the school and ask for advice.

also, and I say this kindly, don’t sign up to anything until you know the price.

mumyes · 25/02/2023 10:29

OP I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Please go & see your head teacher. Hopefully they still be helpful / understanding.

I have huge sympathy for you. These trips are tough.

gamerchick · 25/02/2023 10:32

Mines going on a residential in April, we had to be paid up last week. He wouldn't have been allowed to go if I didn't. These residentials cost thousands.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 25/02/2023 10:37

user1494050295 · 25/02/2023 10:22

Ask the school for a payment plan

It's the payment plan I'm struggling with.

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 25/02/2023 10:37

Do you qualify for free school meals? If so there will be an allocated amount from pupil premium to help toward it. About £80 I believe.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 25/02/2023 10:39

HipposHaveNipples · 25/02/2023 10:18

You need to pay on schedule, or talk to the school and see if you can work something out. But they can absolutely not let her go if you haven't paid.

I am trying to talk to the school.

OP posts:
Livedandlearned · 25/02/2023 10:40

There's usually a fund available, talk to the school

tillyoumakeit · 25/02/2023 10:40

My DS is in year 6 - for their residential the school have been really really clear that they want every child who wants to go to be able to. If parents are struggling we've been told in no uncertain terms to speak to school in confidence and they will do everything they can to help find a solution. Please speak to the school about it. I am sure they will not be very understanding 🙂

CeeceeBloomingdale · 25/02/2023 10:40

Our local school is very flexible and would allow you to pay what you can now i.e. £30 this month and maybe allow you to pay the rest after the scheduled date if you explained. I’d email the head. Going quiet is the problem, speak to them and they normally work with you.

OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 25/02/2023 10:41

To echo PPs you need to talk to the school.

My DD is Y9 and going on a trip to Belgium this year, the school gave us plenty of time to pay it but each letter has had a paragraph about the pupil premium and that if you are on a low income but not in recipes of free school meals then there are still options for funding.

GiltEdges · 25/02/2023 10:43

user1494050295 · 25/02/2023 10:22

Ask the school for a payment plan

She's already on a payment plan Confused

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 25/02/2023 10:44

EnglishRose1320 · 25/02/2023 10:25

I'm really sorry you're struggling, it's awful when schools do this. Our school gives you the whole of year 5 to make payments for the year 6 residential, so much easier to manage.

When you say you are on a low income, are you eligible for free school meals? If so, the school should be able to offer you a reduced cost for the trip.

The best thing to do, is to be honest with the school, check if they will let her go, even if you don't complete payments in time. You don't want to pay as much as you can and then lose that money, because it wasn't enough and she still can't go. So check if they give refunds/check if they allow a longer payment period/ask about hardship funds etc...

Schools normally want as many as the yr6's to be able to go as possible and if they have some money allocated and can see you are really struggling, they will hopefully help.

Oh I wish we could have done this. Or even started at the beginning of Y6.

Yes, my DD gets FSM. In the past school trips were paid for by PP but they stopped doing that since Covid. Apparently, the government now says PP has to be used for academics.

Thank you, I will approach school again and ask about all those things.

OP posts:
Guis · 25/02/2023 10:48

Awful situation to put a parent in.

Woodendonkey · 25/02/2023 10:51

Apparently, the government now says PP has to be used for academics.

I don’t think is true

Okunevo · 25/02/2023 10:53

It makes sense to have the higher payments in February and March as many people have no council tax to pay then. Assuming you pay over 12 months? I would ask the school about an extended payment plan.

Tinkerbyebye · 25/02/2023 10:53

user1494050295 · 25/02/2023 10:22

Ask the school for a payment plan

@user1494050295

Read the post

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 25/02/2023 10:54

Singleandproud · 25/02/2023 10:27

Does your child receive pupil premium? You may not have received a response yet because they are looking into different funding avenues.

The child who is going on the trip gets trip things as birthday presents this year, wellies, waterproofs, wash bag etc. Any family who might normally give cash gifts ask to contribute to the trip instead.

Another option would be to suggest and organise a fundraising event that could be used to decrease the price of the entire trip for everyone. At DDs school the year 6s were given £20 per group (£2.50 per child in groups of 8) to make a hamper and they could use donations from home, they then sold raffle tickets before and after school and at the Easter fayre where they did the prize draw which decreased the price by a fairly large amount.

Yes, she does.

And yes, already got a few 'trip things' for her birthday but yes, that's a good idea to cover those things with birthday money. And yes, I will definitely ask my parents if they can contribute a bit to the trip - great idea!

Oh and the fundraising sounds good too, thanks.

OP posts:
Okunevo · 25/02/2023 10:54

GiltEdges · 25/02/2023 10:43

She's already on a payment plan Confused

Show quote history

An extended one, such as all £50 payments but for two months longer.

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