Is it usual for schools not to tell parents about after school clubs?

[magnetite]

My DC's primary keeps its list of extra-curricular clubs close to its chest, because they don't want parents to sign children up for clubs they don't want to do. So whenever there's a new club, they tell the kids and give them a letter to take home if they're interested.

I can understand the logic. But my DC would much rather come home and watch TV after school, so never puts his hand up for any of the letters. Because I don't know what clubs there are, I can't even encourage him, and of course he doesn't understand the first-come-first-served nature of school clubs, so even when he does belatedly decide he's interested in something, it's too late.

He does do some clubs outside of school, but after-school clubs would obviously be more convenient.

Is this the normal way of doing things in primaries? Our school is a bit behind the times and has no formal after-school care at all.

My ds did sewing club in yr1, and it was his choice...

Our schools system seems to work reasonably well. You get a letter home with all the clubs and the applicable year groups. Then return it with first second and third choices.

The Deputy Head then does some dark magic behind the scenes and lets you know which ones you've been allocated to. She tries to make sure that if kids don't get a go one term, they get a place the next.

Ours does this from year 3, I always assumed it was to save paper, I never thought about the free childcare angle. They are on the website, but quite well hidden.