AIBU to object to school asking parents to cover trip shortfall?

[BingoBongoBusted]

So, I coughed up the required £23 for my child to go the school's "celebration day" for all year 5 and 6 children.
They have now said there is a shortfall, as not everyone had paid, and another £182.50 is required for the trip to happen, asking if any parents would like to pay more.
Pupil Premium families get half paid anyway, so those of us that have already paid in full are essentially being asked if we'd like to pay a bit more to fund the freeloaders who haven't paid.
AIBU to think this is outrageous???
I get that it's a trip in the school day,contributions have to be voluntary and unlike residentials either everyone goes or it doesn't happen, irrespective of who has/hasn't paid, but I thought charging extra to cover the non-payers wasn't allowed, which is what this very much feels like.

@Delphiniumandlupins that's not the point though is it? Parents need to speak up to the school. I actually only have one DC and we holiday yearly. However im not tone deaf that others simply do not have the money.

But that is life.

When my kids were at primary I always paid for them to attend plus I donated for another child to attend. The school kept those funds in an account which helped cover the shortfall.

If there was a shortfall for one of our trips, the year six teacher’s Dad made up the difference.

They’ve charged the appropriate price for the trip. Some haven’t paid. They’ve asked if anyone wants to contribute towards the shortfall - note ‘asked’. You can just say no if it offends you so much. Those who wish to support the school may stump up.
There’s nothing wrong with them asking. NOT demanding.

I don’t expect state school children to have it thrown in their face at such a young age.
Yes, society is nicer to richer people. Can we at least be equal to our children at school ?

And I bet they had a new car in the drive and holidays abroad every year….

Don’t be such a twat.

I’d say calm down OP the school aren’t demanding you pay a little extra, they are asking if anyone would like to pay a little extra. Either that or the trip doesn’t go ahead. I’d say if you can afford to donate a few pounds, then do and if you can’t, then don’t. Remember it’s hard on the children who have parents who can’t or won’t pay for these trips.

Can the PTA make up the shortfall?

What an odd you utopia you live in. Of they know. They talk about where they went on holiday, they talk about what their parents do. They are told that if they work hard at school they have opportunities to improve their lives. State school cater for a whole range of children not just poor kids.

I think you're being an absolute arse about this. It does my child no good to be a have amongst have nots. I would make a donation to ensure full inclusion and I know lots of parents at my child's school do. It's part of the reason PTAs exist. If you don't have the money delete the email and move on.

There is nothing odd about my view at all. I think it would actually be odd to not care if state school children were treated unequally.

I wouldn’t be outraged at the school. I’d feel sorry for them. They’re doing their best with dwindling budgets. They’re trying to do nice things for the pupils. And it’s not always the poorer people who don’t pay either, in fact often the opposite.

Pay it or don't but remember lots of people in many different circumstances just won't have spare moneys for this, referring to them all as freeloaders is just ignorant.

I love your thinking @caffelattetogowhat a great attitude

I remember at school years ago, when there were many people who were hard up at the school I went to trips were much more limited.
We went on one coach trip to a well known beauty spot in my primary school.
At secondary, there were no end of year celebrations, no proms, no trips abroad. I honestly don’t recall going anywhere. No local trips anywhere. I think they recognised not enough people had enough money. Nor did the school.
What I read today is sort of out of control around trips. As if the birds will fall out of the sky or the sun won’t rise if there is not some sort of celebration, do, or trip.
There must be an in between approach that would be better ?

Your school sounds like it was dull.

My children are grown now, but I would never have begrudged paying a little bit e tra so no child was left out.
There are some really nasty comments on here, along with others that are showing kindness and compassion.
Regardless of what you think of the parents, the children should not suffer from adult shortcomings.

Unfortunately those who don’t pay, or pay promptly at least are not necessarily those who are struggling to afford it, it’s often those who simply want something for nothing, potentially disorganised or forgetful too. We had families who never paid for trips despite the trappings of affluence and that annoyed the pta who worked to raise those funds to cover genuine shortfalls

Just in case anyone isn’t aware, adopted children are also eligible for pupil premium.

You might want to think about that before you start in on the ‘freeloader’ benefit-bashing bullshit.

I’m so sorry they put that on you, that is terrible.

Our school does a lot of fundraising to make up shortfalls, but personally I think if they’re asking for voluntary contributions I think that’s okay. I would probably throw in a few extra IF I could afford it, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to or can’t, OP. These things are so tricky to navigate for schools and struggling parents .

You sound as if you just want to have pop at me now because we disagreed further up the thread.
My school was far from dull I can assure you.

We only went out two trips when I was in primary/juniors. I remember one so vividly, it was an amazing day that is etched in my mind. It was only to some blokes house to pond dip in his big pond, I loved it and it’s stayed with me. These experiences are important and lots of kids won’t be able to have such experiences in life if the school don’t facilitate them because either their parents won’t or they can’t afford it. Remember that statistic of children in Britain who have never seen a cow in real life? Experiences are enriching, they can have a huge impact on kids.

The cost of coaches for school trips has gotten incredibly expensive. Our PTA gave each year group £200 towards it this year to try and help. Can yours help?
You don't have to donate but its sounds like the trip won't go ahead if no one does.

I realise that; but I find it a bit surprising in the first place that state schools would be so keen to provide privileges for children from wealthier families, without focusing on all (or indeed the majority) of the children. What would motivate them to do this? I know some people claim that it's just the teachers wanting a free holiday/jolly, but it's not like they can just go and relax themselves.

Moreover our DS's school/trust may be different, but all the emails proudly tell us that he has 'qualified' to go on this amazing trip which will really benefit the children going - usually because of a mix of academic ability, working hard and not getting bad behaviour points - but none of those actually pay for it. It reminds me of these desperate credit card companies who urge anybody they can that they are 'already pre-qualified to apply'!

It's also not helpful in that, in some cases, they will be forcing families to choose whether to send the child (who may have siblings who then also miss out) on a school holiday and then have to forego their family holiday together for the year.