State school charging for basics.

[Purplegarland]

Another email from primary school today saying that they are not unable to subsidise school trips at all and will be fundraising/passing costs onto parents. This means that I am required to give even more money.
This month alone they have asked for almost £100 for various things. Including costs for transport, stationary, being a member of school sport teams (kit, transport, pitch/pool fees, and lunch) some of which happen in school time, and a themed day. Of course, I know that trips are optional but I don't see how I could have my child sitting out of a themed day where visitors come in to give a special talk tied into the curriculum. Add in the various charity days and requests for money for wearing blue or whatever and I am paying an absolute fortune on top of any extra curriculars my DC want to do.
Am I being unreasonable that a state school should not be passing so many costs onto parents? Think £40 for a coach on top of day trip fees.

I'm almost 60 and remember my parents paying for school trips. I don't think this is anything new.

My DC school always charged for these things, apart from being a member of a school team.
The dress up days were always a pain, but a basic toga/sheet thing with a few enhancements covered nearly everything.

At secondary we have a payment system that is itemised bill style so payment for canteen goes on there to. One they have recently is Food technology funding but we also have to pay for The ingredients to take in so I think this is just if you can contribute to help those who can’t really, you don’t have to pay it though.

Out of the loop with schooling, Do schools still run a school fair/fete?

My secondary school held one every year and eventually raised enough to buy their own mini-bus (late 60s)

I don't think it is the norm to pay for stationery at Primary school. Also the OP is talking about a team kit not normal PE kit.

And no, you can't always get these things subsidised if your DC gets PP. My DD's did not use it for those things.

Many schools don't subsidise the pupil premium kids. My DD's Primary told me government guidance changed and was that it could not be used for enrichment and could only be used for core curriculum things.

This is very true.
Recently a parent asked why the year 6 residential was over £600 for 4 days. The schools answer was that the parents of children not on PP had to cover the costs of those on PP. Some couldn't afford it, but could have afforded the £400 it actually cost for their child. So those who are just above the PP threshold missed out, whilst others went for free.
Not that I want those on PP to miss out, but those just above it shouldn't miss out so others can go.

Not at my DD's school and according to them no schools should be doing this anymore.

No, not even low income and benefits.

That's because PP can't be used for trips. Not that I think that others should have to subsidise unless voluntarily. My DD's Y6 residential was £475 for all parents, PP or not.

At my DD's Primary we were very fortunate that we didn't have to pay for swimming lessons.

Apart from pens and pencils in primary that is all of that’s always been expected. Trips, team kits and educational experiences even in school.

I despair of this government, I really do.

Complete ill-informed drivel.

Your school should have a schedule on their website detailing what the pupil premium is being spent on.

And the government have just announced that they may not be able to fully fund the promised pay rise money, backtracking again, so that may need to come out of totally depleted school budgets making it even worse.

That’s very bloody annoying as that extra £200 could be the difference between that own child going or not to start with yet it’s paying for someone else’s space.

My youngest has had one trip in 4 years!

And likely will have 0 swim lessons too.

Eldest at secondary has one trip (subject) and activities.

Some DC's parents can't or don't take them to the theatre, galleries, even the beach. It's fact that for some school trips are their only experience.

Primary’s sadly seem to need a strong pta who set up events and parents who actually feel part of the community to want to help and spend at those events.

Secondary level it’s all bets are off but there’s always at least one trip but it’s more a we have 80 places who wants to come to the theatre in London £50, have 60 spaces who wants to go Belgium for £600, 100’spaves skiiing £1,400, F1 trip £10.

School trips, transport, coach to swimming lessons and lunches have always been chargeable. Why did you think differently?

As for stationary, you can provide pens pencils, erasers and a note book for a few pounds. Why do you expect someone else to pay for your child.

Unless you are eligible for FSM, YABU.

@Charlie2121 "Complete ill-informed drivel"

What makes you say that?

We had a strong PA at my DC’s Junior school as some of the parents were well connected had things like comedy nights with quite famous comedians that raised quite a bit but it had a bar, another new Head didn’t agree with the Bat and selling alcohol so the nights didn’t raise as much.

The bar not ‘bat’.

The bit about private schools. Without them the state sector would collapse.