Wow days

[Sux2buthen]

Primary school ‘wow days’.
we are being billed for wow days that include optional dressing up and quizzes related to what they are learning about. Pencil and paper quizzes, not elaborate.
The infant school usually allows mufti these days with a voluntary contribution of £1 which is fair enough but the older school are asking for around £10 per child per event. They’ve reallocated pupil premium and reduced it by a lot re covering expenses so a group of parents are struggling to pay.
The money isn’t immediately due but parents are getting regular reminders.
yes there’s no money in schools but it’s not clear legally if being charged is quite right as it’s curriculum related in school hours. It’s not being called voluntary either, it’s simply a bill. No alternative has been suggested as it’s the whole year group doing it with no option to opt out.
anyone with any knowledge?

I dont think they can do this.

There is government guidance in what schools charge for.

I think this education.

I also dont think they are allowed to profit on materials if it is a charge

The school can ask for a voluntary contribution but they cannot make a mandatory charge for educational activities and materials. Guidance on what schools can charge for can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5af99c8ae5274a25e78bbe30/Chargingforschoolactivities.pdf

I would question these bills with the headteacher and ask to take it to the governing body.

They can’t charge if it’s outside the normal curriculum- which some of these events will be.

They also can’t charge unless it’s within the original school policy.

Thankyou, I’m not very good at disagreeing but this doesn’t sit quite right. I’m struggling financially and every penny is allocated so I wanted to be more confident before queried it.

Definitely not ok, I am a teacher, and yes we are really strapped for cash in schools, but we are not allowed to charge like this. Second a PP to take it to the governors in the first instance.