To think it’s wrong of the school to do this?

[Sunflowersunshinebreeze]

My child’s school has paid for a theatre company to come in and perform a show.

They are asking for a ‘voluntary contribution’ of £4 to enable your child to watch. (I am fine with that and have paid).

The office have said only those that have paid will be allowed to go and watch it and those that haven’t will have to stay in the classroom.

I am shocked that they are going to be excluding children who don’t pay (for whatever reason). E.g. they cannot afford to pay/parents didn’t see the notification in time/forgot etc.

Is this the same in other schools? Maybe I’m behind the times and this is the norm these days, but it just feels so wrong to me!

Yes. If not enough money is received they can cancel the activity but they can’t exclude children doing the school day for something that is advertised as being a voluntary payment.

I wish our school did this - both my DSs have had trips/events cancelled due to not enough contributions. I'd happily pay for an extra ticket for someone but the app our school uses doesn't give this as an option.

My gripe is that schools shouldn’t be putting all of it on anyway unless it’s free. Why does everything have to cost money?

Because the theatre company has to be paid. Do you think they work for nothing? They have to eat and pay their bills, just like everyone else.

The poster isn’t saying that the theatre company does not need to be paid just that kids don’t need to do as many paid activities at school. There are around 3 paid activities per term for my kids and it’s too much.

The only thing I remember like that at school was police and fire brigade coming in and that wasn’t paid.

No our school does not do this. They let the child join the activity anyway and then they keep reminding you you owe them money with the caveat that you can call them for a chat to sort something out if you have money problems.

ideally everything in school hours would be completely free of charge. But our school does well in the circumstances.

They’re not even really supposed to send reminders especially not targeted ones.

So you remember visits at school. That’s why they’re important - it’s a memorable bit of your school experience. Having a theatre visit is brilliant IF everyone gets to participate. There will be kids who will otherwise not experience the theatre at all. It’s a brilliant thing for school to do, but they should not be excluding those families who don’t/can’t make the voluntary contribution. I would raise this with the head.

If it’s a state school that’s illegal.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5af99c8ae5274a25e78bbe30/Charging_for_school_activities.pdf

I would contact your MP in the first instance.

Bit extreme to contact the MP in the 'first instance', they won't do anything. How about just following the school's complaints policy.

I think it’s too egregious to keep within the school. I know my MP would be interested.

This. Schools can't subsidise everyone but I believe there can be some leeway. No one should miss out because they can't afford it if it's something essential to learning and is part of the normal school day. Any optional extras however then they can say if they don't pay they don't go.

Indeed. This has been the case for at least 20 years. I'm astonished this headteacher is so ignorant of the law.

It's is probably a threat to get those parents who never contribute (but can afford to) to pay up. They are not allowed to ban children on a basis of non-payment

Then don't put it on at all unless it's already funded by the school or the PTA. It's dreadful for a kid to be marginalized just because their parents don't have the disposable income the others have. Yes you get freeloaders but it's kids and £4. Imagine you are that kid watching your friends have the treats and good times.

Very Charlie and the chocolate factory

Exactly this! I'm a single mum on UC and I always pay and I know most of the families that pay are the ones that struggle to pay the most. The ones that brag about never paying and getting their kids on free trips are the most well off families in the school!

Our PTA paid for a pantomime for my son’s school. I think it’s horrible but then I think that about school trips too. I could never go as my mum couldn’t afford it and it feels terrible being left out. I imagine it’ll be free for those on free school meals, but there’s so many more people struggling like my mum did.

No that’s not normal from my experiences

Not very inclusive 🙄

Quite simply, they can not do this.

Breaking the rules on this could potentially be a governance issue, so I'd probably go to the school's governing body with this.

I would complain.

Our school has had a paid day time activity before. They always specify that there is a hardship fund available and to contact the office if needed.

At least you don’t have to pay for the privilege of not going to watch this play

Dd didn’t do PGL Complete rip off at £350 (every other school seemed to be £140-£175) So HM arranged school trip with coach (we live in London and every other school uses the tube for school trips in London)

Cost of the school trip to the “FREE” museum £60