schools constantly asking parents for money

[saslou]

AIBU to resent being constantly asked for money by my childrens school. This week we have World book day, so I am just off out to get costumes as I am not very good at making things. They also have the book fair this week and an author coming into school who will also be giving children the "opportunity" to purchase her books while she is there. I am very happy to buy books but don't think that school is the right place to sell children things.
In addition my childrens school wants parents to pay the insurance and travel costs of compulsory school activities (they don't even ask nicely, just tell you that these are the costs). Recently I got billed for a lost library book that my child hadn't even brought home.
I feel mean because I know they have financial pressures but also feel I am being treated like their own personal cashpiont. It doesn't occur to them that not all parents have lomitless amounts of money.
Anyway, sorry for long rant...

But still, the schools don't benefit as the money goes directly to whatever it is you are paying for.

At one of the schools I have taught at the majority are far too poor to afford any school trips, as such we did get more subisdy for it. BUT the funding only automatically went to those on certain benefits or known to social services. Others could appeal for help. The cost of the trips were generally less than they actually cost to run, but if the numbers weren't forthcoming obviosuly the event wouldn't run. It is a hard balance, but on the whole schools run these trips to enrich the educational experience for your children, as much as you might begrudge the cash surely it is hard to get annoyed at the schools for that? If you genuinely want less school trips tell the school, if the majority agree then perhaps something will be done. But I don't think many people would complain at a wide and varied programme of activities for their children, it is just hard to say who should be paying for them. If it is not directly related to the curriculum that doesn't mean it doesn't have value to the children, but it does mean that the argument that someone else should pay may fall flat.

Riven, if the trips are considered part of the course then you shouldn't have to pay if you are in financial difficulties/on certain benefits?

Children cost money!

A few donations here and there is dirt cheap childcare During the holidays your children will cost a lot more!

Don't ever be afraid to say no. Most things re voluntary. Your children need to learn that it's ok to take in one easter egg instead of the requested 4 and that they can't always buy a book during Book Week.
Teachers DO NOT keep a tally of those who never donate honestly!

School trips - if you REALLY can't afford it and want your child to go, the school usually have a small fund available for these situations so you can go and chat to the HT if you want to.

Sponsor forms - put down a few names and contribute £1 or £2. Or nothing - no one expects you to pay if you can't afford it.

*Kif, it's the lack of notice that I mind, and it's why we just didn't participate when I was on benefits.
It didn't bother me, it did bother DD, but I simply didn't have the money, and couldn't always find it with 4 days (or less) notice.

I can afford it now, but the lack of notice still annoys me. It's just not necessary to spring this stuff on parents and it's kids who miss out.

OK - so you want to send your child to a school where there are no school trips, no fun days, no visitors, no fetes or fairs or Father Christmas. Where there are no trikes or scooters or juggling workshops. No garden, no raffles, no parties. No discos, no picnics, no films. No involvement with the outside world or understanding that there are children less fortun ate than themselves who would benefit from theri donated pound. Just sitting in rows working in splendid insularity.

Delightful!

Happymumofone. Education may be free at the point of delivery, but we all pay for it, according to our means though our taxes. Extras need to be sensible and affordable.

Have just picked up DS who has a note in his bag about a bookfair on Friday (last one was just before Xmas), for funds for the school library. I object to this on so many levels - it is clearly not only (and probably not mainly) the school that will be profiting from this; and it encourages aquisitiveness (just what kids need in this day and age).

This is nothing compared to my dc's school. The voluntary contribution is 500 euro a year. That is Voluntary as in compulsory if you don't want to look really bad.

"OK - so you want to send your child to a school where there are no school trips, no fun days, no visitors, no fetes or fairs or Father Christmas. Where there are no trikes or scooters or juggling workshops. No garden, no raffles, no parties. No discos, no picnics, no films. No involvement with the outside world or understanding that there are children less fortun ate than themselves who would benefit from theri donated pound. Just sitting in rows working in splendid insularity."

• they might even learn to read, write and do sums a bit quicker

So if you can't afford it, don't pay it. Simple. Nobody keeps a check on who sends in 50p and who doesn't. Some people send in a couple of quid if they can afford it, some people don't send in anything. It's fine. Nobody minds.

And nobody expects everyone to do everything! If you dont want to go to the book fair, don't. But some people do want to, and every book you buy contributes to the school.

If you can't afford to send in a bottle of wine for the bottle tombola - send in a bottle of coke.

don't get into competetive giving - that wa madness lies. And NOBODY NOTICES! Actually, they do. They notice the flash gits who give a bottle of champagne - and they have a quiet giggle int he staff room about them.

Have already said that it is not school trips that I object to,am happy to pay for these and of course I want my dc to have varied and enjoyable school experiences, but I do object to the assumption that I will pay travel/insurance for activities which are a compulsory part of the school curriculum. I consider that we have paid for these in our taxes. I feel there should be some thought on the part of the school that not every parent can afford to contribute lots of money. Also my dc have been to the book fair today and have come home with requests to buy football posters and spy kits. I was under the illusion that I sent them to school this morning, not the toy shop!I know that I don't HAVE to buy these things but don't find it hard to say no once they have seen and chosen something they like. I just feel school is not the appropriate place for this.

DD has brought home a trip letter which will cost me £18. I have been to this place and I am at a loss how it mounts up to £18 per child (29 in the class) for entry, workshop and the coach. £1566 for 3 classes to go to the zoo?!?!

BalloonSlayer - I never said that I didn't want them to do any fun activities. If I think something is valuable to my dc then I will happily contibute. But, it shouldn't feel like a demand from the school and I don't think they should be taking children to the school fair during school time, so they will chose things that their parents feel obliged to pay for. I hesitate to use the phrase emotional blackmail but....

Have you ever hired a coach?

Fab - coaches and insurance are horrendously expensive, we're lucky that the PTA's at both the junior and infant schools subside the coach costs so that we're mostly only paying for the actual visit to whereever they're going.

Schools don't make money on trips.

I think my school was thinking of charging a flat rate travel insurance at the beginning of the year but they haven't gone ahead for some reason. It saves having to work out exactly how much insurance to charge for each trip. So saslou it should mean that individual activities and trips are cheaper at the point of delivery because you have paid the insurance already.

No, I haven't ever hired a coach and I will be paying the £18. I was just how much the total cost is for 3 classes.

Not saying they make money and again not really talking about trips, but think it is thin end of the wedge for parents to be paying for everyday school activities. All the time we do it, the schools will sit back and let us. Feel I've already paid for this

The thing with the swimming specifically is that (1) it's part of the curriculum (2) it's not specifically funded (3) it's disproportionately expensive (unless the school is within walking distance of a pool). It's completely unrealistic to make something part of the curriculum, then not fund it.

Not so long ago (a few years) I paid £4.50 for a trip to the Zoo for my children...it was stated in the letter this was just to cover the cost of the coach as entrance etc was being paid via school funds...this is what I mean by government funding being my main bug bear....obviously school funds have been cut above and beyond the PTA.

This is why I get cross...I know there was a time when parents didn't have to play 'dippy dippy' in their bank accounts to ensure their children got a balanced education.

Ps...we just had the Book fair stuff too. DS didn't even give it to me, I just found it in the recycling pile.

What are the 'compulsory' activities that you are being asked to pay for?

I always thought visiting groups were a bit of a rip off. Especially £5 for a storyteller for 2 hours. £5 x 200 = £500 per hour! I'm in the wrong job!

actually, kactus, as i understand it (and correct me if i'm wrong), schools have had more and more control over their own budgets in recent years

it's the decision-making that needs to be questioned. if schools are expecting parents to pay for compulsory elements like swimming, then they must be spending the money provided for that purpose elsewhere. not saying it wasn't spent on something worthwhile, but just on something else.