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Original poster

Primary School Christmas Craft Extortion

43 replies

covertcuddler · 15/12/2021 19:48

Is it just my children's school, or are other primaries extorting parents by asking them to 'buy' their children's creations?

I can't help but think there are families out there who really can't afford £5 for a tile (yes, a tile!) with their child's face glued on it, plus the jumper day donation & snacks, plus the Christmas fair (and our school doesn't have the 30p cupcakes...oh no, it's £1 a cookie for example) and Christmas...

Is it just my child's school that is completely inconsiderate towards those who are struggling to get by? I mean, I am lucky enough to spend £5 on my child's creations, but I can't help but feel for those who can't :-(

This primary school enterprise is serious business! The kids come home pressurised in to selling to their parents and ours got upset even at the thought of us paying THEM to make the decorations at home instead... doesn't seem right

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CookSproutsInSoySauce · 15/12/2021 19:52

YANBU. It's because if funding issues the schools charge extortionate amounts and frequent non uniform days. But also if they don't, learning resources will be further reduced. It isn't really sustainable, don't know what the solution is

pinkksugarmouse · 15/12/2021 19:58

YANBU schools shouldn’t be emotionally blackmailing parents and potentially having them spend money they don’t really have so as not to upset their children. It’s cruel.

Schools should be very aware of parents struggling financially. I think a polite but firm letter might be needed here. £5 can mean the gas meter going into emergency or not.

surreygirl1987 · 15/12/2021 19:58

You're right, that's really unfair and pretty awful... but schools have no money.

hedgehogger1 · 15/12/2021 19:59

Yup so write to your MP and ask for fair funding for schools

SeanMean · 15/12/2021 20:02

It’s fundraising for the school so they have resources for your child.

Not sure you can blame the school!

YABU.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 15/12/2021 20:08

This week I paid £2 for a loaf of bread baked by my 6 year old DS in the style and character of the Tudor baker in whose shop the great fire of London started.

I don't really mind - it's not an excessive price for artisanal bread around here.

Legoisthebest · 15/12/2021 20:11

Are these school organised activities or PTA (cake sales are usually PTA)?
If PTA then you need to tell them that it's all too expensive.
If it's school you need to tell them.
Unfortunately people just 'smile and wave' and never say anything so year after year these expensive events get churned out.

SparklingLime · 15/12/2021 20:13

It’s absolutely horrible, especially for the kids whose art doesn’t get ‘bought’. (As a TA I bought my one-to-one’s artwork as no way were the parents going to.)

ProudThrilledHappy · 15/12/2021 20:14

Yanbu that schools are asking for a lot from parents, but I have wasted a lot more than £5 on random tat ds begged for through the years. I don’t begrudge the odd fiver to make him feel valued and support ill funded schools

Original poster
covertcuddler · 15/12/2021 20:16

@TheYearOfSmallThings

This week I paid £2 for a loaf of bread baked by my 6 year old DS in the style and character of the Tudor baker in whose shop the great fire of London started.

I don't really mind - it's not an excessive price for artisanal bread around here.

Wow, that I a pretty god deal for a nice loaf and edible!
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Original poster
covertcuddler · 15/12/2021 20:18

@Legoisthebest

Are these school organised activities or PTA (cake sales are usually PTA)? If PTA then you need to tell them that it's all too expensive. If it's school you need to tell them. Unfortunately people just 'smile and wave' and never say anything so year after year these expensive events get churned out.
I mean, I can afford to throw away the £5, so I will pay it - but I really feel for those families who can't :-(

It was organised in collaboration between the PTA and the School.

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Original poster
covertcuddler · 15/12/2021 20:18

@SparklingLime

It’s absolutely horrible, especially for the kids whose art doesn’t get ‘bought’. (As a TA I bought my one-to-one’s artwork as no way were the parents going to.)
Oh gosh, this is heart breaking!! This is what I mean... can't it be suggested donations so no child's work is left behind? It's gut wrenching
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Original poster
covertcuddler · 15/12/2021 20:21

@pinkksugarmouse

YANBU schools shouldn’t be emotionally blackmailing parents and potentially having them spend money they don’t really have so as not to upset their children. It’s cruel.

Schools should be very aware of parents struggling financially. I think a polite but firm letter might be needed here. £5 can mean the gas meter going into emergency or not.

I agree. Although I can afford the £5, £10, £15.. the school is asking for to better educate my child, I just feel for those parents who are feeling the pressure or have upset children because they simply cannot afford it.

Can't we have a 'no child left out' policy? Suggested donation? I know schools want funding because they feel they aren't getting enough, but at what expense?

No parent should feel the pressure, you are absolutely right

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stripeymonster · 15/12/2021 20:24

I think it varies from school to school. Some do charge too much definitely others are much more reasonable. Think it depends on who is setting the prices.

surreygirl1987 · 15/12/2021 20:26

Can't we have a 'no child left out' policy? Suggested donation?

Sure, but you'd be better off asking your school rather than is! I fully agree with you but you need to suggest it to the school if you want that to happen.

santabetterwashhishands · 15/12/2021 20:44

My daughters school have had photos this month,a Christmas Fabre ( £10)
See Santa ( £5)
Disco (£2) and (£5) to spend there.
Christmas jumper day and raffle tickets
My sons the same but no Christmas Fayre but £10 per raffle ticket 😳
I'm glad they finish this week before I'm totally broke

NumberTheory · 15/12/2021 20:54

YANBU but schools are going to continue to do it until they get strong pushback.

Run for parent governor and make parent affordability and economic inclusion a key part of your work. Remind governors and the SLT of their responsibilities to provide the same education for everyone and that it is illegal for the school to make profit from things selling kids crafts that are made in lessons (they can charge for the cost of the materials for the individual item - but not a charge that is designed to spread the cost for those items unpaid for). Point out again and again that delivering the curriculum in budget is the core of your responsibilities (this will be very, very difficult given current funding, but actually working out how to do it should make it easier to make wise decisions about what it is worthwhile doing outside the curriculum).

Remind parents their child cannot be excluded from Christmas jumper day (or any other activity) if they don’t donate.

Join the PTA and work to raise money from sources other than parents or in a way that doesn’t pressure less well off parents in order to pay for the materials for things like tile making or for school trips.

ThePlumVan · 15/12/2021 21:11

Schools and PTAs work relentlessly to get money for resources, then the unions get massive pay rises and it all goes on salaries.

Prescottdanni123 · 15/12/2021 21:16

So if a family can't afford to pay, their child can't take their craft projects home? That's awful.

I agree with others who have suggested a polite but firm letter.

Original poster
covertcuddler · 15/12/2021 21:20

@NumberTheory

YANBU but schools are going to continue to do it until they get strong pushback.

Run for parent governor and make parent affordability and economic inclusion a key part of your work. Remind governors and the SLT of their responsibilities to provide the same education for everyone and that it is illegal for the school to make profit from things selling kids crafts that are made in lessons (they can charge for the cost of the materials for the individual item - but not a charge that is designed to spread the cost for those items unpaid for). Point out again and again that delivering the curriculum in budget is the core of your responsibilities (this will be very, very difficult given current funding, but actually working out how to do it should make it easier to make wise decisions about what it is worthwhile doing outside the curriculum).

Remind parents their child cannot be excluded from Christmas jumper day (or any other activity) if they don’t donate.

Join the PTA and work to raise money from sources other than parents or in a way that doesn’t pressure less well off parents in order to pay for the materials for things like tile making or for school trips.

This is some really great advice! Thank you!
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Original poster
covertcuddler · 15/12/2021 21:21

@surreygirl1987

Can't we have a 'no child left out' policy? Suggested donation?

Sure, but you'd be better off asking your school rather than is! I fully agree with you but you need to suggest it to the school if you want that to happen.

Don't worry I already have, would be great if we all made a stand with our schools to make it more inclusive for those with less
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Original poster
covertcuddler · 15/12/2021 21:22

@santabetterwashhishands

My daughters school have had photos this month,a Christmas Fabre ( £10) See Santa ( £5) Disco (£2) and (£5) to spend there. Christmas jumper day and raffle tickets My sons the same but no Christmas Fayre but £10 per raffle ticket 😳 I'm glad they finish this week before I'm totally broke
Wow! :-O
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Original poster
covertcuddler · 15/12/2021 21:23

@Prescottdanni123

So if a family can't afford to pay, their child can't take their craft projects home? That's awful.

I agree with others who have suggested a polite but firm letter.

That is exactly it. Can you imagine what goes on in a child's little head when items aren't bought... ugh it's just awful!
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CoedenNadolig · 15/12/2021 21:26

Just do what I did as a single mother on one income with no support.

Teach your child it's overpriced tat and not needed, then they don't want to buy it 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

I don't mind the £1 for children in need or Christmas jumper day or the £2 for the Christmas party because at least he got food, but no I don't buy a £6 mug covered in glitter that is clearly unusable...🤨

Lancrelady80 · 15/12/2021 21:32

@ThePlumVan

Schools and PTAs work relentlessly to get money for resources, then the unions get massive pay rises and it all goes on salaries.
That's REALLY not what happens!