Rights - online payment school

[Books44]

The school where my youngest goes is now only accepting payment for trips via a 3rd party app. I do not want to sign up but they said my child will be excluded from all trips if i don't. I am happy to pay in any alternative way but not with this 3rd party app. Can they refuse other payments? Do i have a legal right to refuse to sign up with a 3rd party without my child being excluded?

Yes, they can insist on payment in a particular way.

Whether they can exclude your child if you don't pay depends on the trip.

If at least 50% of the trip is within school hours, they cannot exclude your child.

If the trip is part of the national curriculum, they cannot exclude your child.

If neither of the above apply they can exclude your child if you refuse to pay.

Thank you for your reply.

Trip is 100% within school hours and an educational trip inline with current history topic so I do assume the second reason also stands. I have offered to pay in full via 3 alternative ways.

What alternative app are they using?

Dont most schools just use ParentPay? I really cant see the issue with that.

If it’s something like ParentMail or similar I can’t see what the problem is. Most schools are going to online systems now for both payments and communications. It keeps the costs down and avoids dealing with cash and cheques which are especially undesirable at present.

However, personally I would accept the odd online bank transfer instead. Have you offered to do that?

Wisepay, a massive national school payment site like parentpay was hacked at the beginning of the Month and thousands of card details stolen. I'm no longer so keen on such things.

I never store my card details there, but yes seems to be the way all schools are going.

I didn’t really think about it before but as a PP said, WisePay was hacked the other week and they don’t seem to have told anyone for several days. It was hacked on the Friday and we didn’t find out until I think the Wednesday so anyone who topped up those child’s balance on Monday or over the weekend , which I imagine is quite common could have had their bank details stolen. Luckily DS decided to go onto packed lunches that very week or I’d have topped up on the Monday.

Don’t know about Wisepay but in general it’s possible to use these platforms without storing your card details so it is no different to ordering anything online.

Trip is 100% within school hours and an educational trip inline with current history topic

That means they can only request a voluntary contribution. They cannot exclude your child from the trip if you refuse to pay. Of course, if too many parents refuse to pay the trip may not happen at all.

Why dont you ask another parent to pay and give your money to them?

You should be able to use cash!