Charges for 'dance workshop' - is this normal?

[pacinofan]

DD1 is a year 2 pupil and has been asked to pay towards a 'dance workshop' that takes place on Friday. It is not a voluntary contribution, it is a clear request for money. I fully intend to pay, if only so that she is not left out of the workshop or upset by not paying. But this is the first I have had heard of the workshop, parents were not asked whether or not they thought it a good idea or not. I always thought that anything taking place during school hourse, such as this, was non-chargeable? Has this changed then? Would like to know for future events.

Would have expected a letter with a reply slip if that was happening, personally. Are all the kids taking part?

this is quite common, suprised you have not come across it so far
it's the only way schools can have 'extras' - they will have got someone in from another organisation to teach the children
you're right that technically they can't insist that you pay and schools should really make some arrangement to tactfully let of kids whose families genuinely can't afford the cost, which is usually only a few pounds
does that apply to you?

PTA always covers ours, but I can see how some schools have to ask parents

Unusual to have an outright deand for money. It is normally a voluntary contribution, with the proviso that if enough people don't pay then it doesn;t go ahead.

Is the workshop optional for children, if they/their parents want them to take part? If so then they can ask for a payment for it.

Thank you for your replies, no, it's not a voluntary contribution, it's a letter with a tear-off slip requesting money. No, we are not unable to pay, but I sympathise with those who cannot/have a lot of children attending who may struggle, even if it's a small amount. There is no mention of help for those in this situation. As far as I'm aware, the workshop forms part of that day, don't think it's 'optional'.

I've had letters asking for voluntary contributions for lots of things, eg. theatre company staging a play for the children, trips, workshops etc. I am also a governor and know that these could not go ahead on the school budget alone. We are not a particularly 'wealthy' school socially, and we have people who genuinely can't pay, we also have plenty who probably could and choose not to. I happily pay the extra for the enhanced learning opportunities, although sometimes it would be nice to be given a little more notice, and there are always lots of bits and pieces needing paying for at the end of the summer term and in the run up to christmas.

Agree with cat64, some parents definitely 'take the mick'. Particularly remember one mum who loudly announced that she would not be paying the £10 pa voluntary contribution and advised everyone else not to too. This was over ten years ago and she was driving a car that cost over 30K and lived in a house worth over £500K. Meanwhile the parents on IS that had genuine difficulty were trying to get the money together....

We often have visiting activites eg play performance, drama workshop etc.

There is almost always a charge to the school and they have little choice but to pass it on. Even if it is in school hours.

Surprised this sort of thing has not come up before tbh - we get 2 or 3 such a year at least.