Voluntary contribution of £120 for school

[Voiceofreason92]

My son’s school have always asked for a voluntary contribution of £35 per year per child. This year they have decided to up it to £60 per child. I have two children. In the past it’s never been clear what that £35 is going on so have always reluctantly contributed. This year they have asked for money for revamping the year 1 toilets, building a ‘summer house’ style cabin as an intervention room and to support their staffing structure.

since September, it’s been in the newsletter every week saying they still don’t have 100% of families contributing and they would really like it. (Only 50% have) This week a letter came home in my kid’s book bag from the head teacher saying that they noticed I havent paid my £120 contribution and they really think it’s time I contributed for my boys.
AIBU unreasonable for not contributing out of principle that I feel hounded and it’s meant to be voluntary.
(this is a state primary school not a private one)

Wow. I am very sorry. I have four DCs and cannot imagine how it would feel if I thought they were in danger every day.

It depends upon if you can afford it and if you think it's good for the children. Remember that taxpayers are paying for your children to go to school. Many of those taxpayers don't have children but are still paying.

If you can afford it, paying a bit extra is nice.

It’s not ideal no, because in an ideal world everything would be fully funded. However the question you have to ask yourself is in a country where most people take more than they give into the system are you surprised?

Yes you ‘pay for education through tax’ tho it would take a salary of £35k to cover the cost of one child’s education alone. You have two. And let alone any other services. And that cost is only what it is because people like me pay for independent education so both pay into the system and educate our children elsewhere. So good luck when you destroy that system (except ironically it won’t finish off schools like the one my children are at).

So do it cos you want the school your child is at to have some more finance to pay for what it needs. Do it cos you should feel pleased to help fund your child. Just fucking do it.

Do you really think childless taxpayers reap no benefit from children being educated?

Thank you for listening. Most Jewish people are sadly used to the feeling but the last few years have been the worst in my lifetime. I hope you talk to your kids about this (and other forms of bigotry). One of the parents had no idea his child was caught up with this as he ‘never thought about it’ which of course is understandable - most people wouldn’t. The other families were not upset or horrified at all. I keep hoping that if I talk about it a lot I might encourage the people who would want the opportunity to do better.

I wouldn’t be paying this and I would email saying so and remind them it’s voluntary.

If it’s C of E this is standard. Our school does this. Although £30/year. It stings but if you can afford it I’d definitely pay it as it’ll really help the school. They’re probably in financial crisis.

Yes - I wasn’t comparing them, just responding to that point and the wider issue of parents paying for basics.

Or on the other hand…., don’t pay it but don’t be resentful when my children get a more fulfilling and rounded education when I pay more than that three times that every day of every year for my 3 children…

I’m sure your children are receiving a lot more than the education that is provided with or without these donations.

When I joined the PTA I actually had no idea how much was funded by parents. The school of course has funding for the education but simple things like iPad covers and outdoor toys and any sort of social event are on fundraising. We have a very mixed catchment so have an extra fund for providing school
uniform and water bottles to children if the school notes a concern (anonymously - this fund is managed by the head teacher and we don’t see where it goes). Last year we started a pay double scheme for the cinema trip to try to ensure all the children could attend and it worked out exactly that enough people paid double to cover those who couldn’t or wouldn’t pay the £8. We have an Amazon wish list as well for our wee school library as that is 100% paid for and staffed by the PTA.

My kids don’t love the events so I donate a flat amount of money each year to keep this all going (and volunteer at the library which is a joy). I do wonder if we could have a lot less stress by just asking families to contribute like this but I’d never suggest £120 nor would I chase anyone.

If you don’t feel like you can afford it, hold your head high and don’t pay. If you’re up for the battle certainly email the school to let them know this consistent communication is putting pressure on you (and other families) to make a financial commitment that is detrimental to your family.
I'm also concerned that by putting letters in your child’s bag, you’re child may also become concerned or worried about not paying the contribution.

you shouldn’t feel pressure. The school feel like they have a right to ask and you should feel like you have a right to decline

Sounds like an excellent reason to move your child to a non-faith school.

Voluntary

what exactly do the letter say as sure it didn’t say what you wrote

Disgusting. Complain to the governors and get the local newspaper and radio station into it (anonymously if necessary).

Our school has the head and deputy off on long term sick. Their admin is now being done off site by another head. It's a mess.

No, that would be equally dangerous. I'm not going to bother detailing what my time at a non-faith school was like, but suffice it to say it was not exactly an all-round pleasant experience.

Plus, it's a really good school 🤷🏻‍♀️ And my kids get our religious holidays off school.

Tell them to get fucked, you already paid, with your taxes.

By this measure, I am sadly childless, and pay tax towards your kids education, care of the elderly/disabled, etc. It's kind of part of being a member of a functioning society. As I said previously, it would be good to know exactly how it's being used, but £120 is a lot per child, per year - I suspect at least partially because there's a fair number of people who can't, or won't, pay.

I’d like to see a copy of this letter saying ‘we think it’s time you paid.’ Go on. Blank out the school name and post it

It's not always faith schools. This 2014 article mentions three London non-faith schools where it happens.

No. But childless tax payers probably aren't too concerned about "refurbishing toilets" or building a summer house.

If your children are being educated by the tax payer then surely the tax payer has some input. Most taxpayers (especially those without children) probably don't want to refurbish toilets or build summerhouses. If the parents want this then fine. They need to pay for it.

Lucky you! At DD’s grammar the suggested ‘voluntary’ contribution was £1200 per year! In practice it wasn’t very voluntary either.. the year I decided not to pay it as I wasn’t satisfied with the support she was given during a period of ill health I was quite literally hounded for months.

If you cannot afford it, then please do not pay. I agree the wording is unfortunate.

If you can afford it, then it is around 32p per school day for each of your children.

School budgets are so tight that if you can manage it, it would be great if you could. If you can manage more, that would be even better.

"Summer house" sounds frivolous but somewhere to do interventions absolutely is not.

My friend has had this happen and she lived in Gorton in Manchester. Not a rich area at all.
They had to contribute a pound a week for each child. And those that didn't do it had a poster with all the children's names and a sad face next to their name outside on a A frame stand. It was disgusting.