school is taking advantage of it's position

[ClaudiaApfelstrudel]

AIBU to think that my daughters primary school is taking advantage of it's position.

They are constantly asking for money, for example 'wear what you like day' they have to bring in £1 each (I have two daughters) just so they can wear non-uniform. I once forgot to pay and the teacher wrote the names of children who hadn't paid names on the board!

Other things too, when they go on school trips the costs for the transportation are always far higher than one would expect and I know they are extracting profits from them.

Now they have a trip to see the concert which is another £15 each so £30 which I feel is not educational at all and again, you can actually buy cheaper tickets direct from the playhouse itself.

Everytime I feel under obligation to pay or my children will be singled out whereas the school has no authority to do this at all and I feel it's abusing it's position.

My two are leaving at the end of this year thanks god - I'm tired of having to find money so that my children are not singled out for not having paid something that they have no obligation to pay whatsoever.

If they are leaving to go to secondary school, you are are kidding yourself if you think if won't be the same.

I can asssure you it's not a great deal better at senior school OP.

I pay set amounts at the beginning of each term for stuff like food ingredients, D&T materials etc. Then there are optional extras like music tuition etc although that's not part of the curriculum and many others won't do it either.

Plus school trips etc.

Most schools cannot afford to subsidise school trips and the cost of coaches are expensive.

And just wait until you get the uniform list...much more expensive than Primary school.

As far as Pupil Premium goes my son gets this as he is both autistic and gets free school meals. His school put on additional Maths classes for him last year because he was really struggling. I also know children NOT in receipt of PP attended at times. As a parent I really couldn't care less about that, why would I be annoyed that other children were benefitting as well as my child? In addition it helped him feel not so singled out if some of his classmates also attended.

Yeah that's generally what happens when you don't pay for trips/events which actually need paying for but that shouldn't be a problem really since you're convinced the schools fleecing parents anyway.

I see - so it's ok for schools to single out children who's parents don't/can't pay for every thing they feel like charging for?

The school is not making a profit from your £1 dress down and school trip.
Bless you op perhaps a lie down may help.

We are all in the same boat. I have twins and had to pay for two lots of holiday to France. In that respect every parent may feel the pinch.

However, I am so grateful to the school for organising a raft of enrichment opportunities which my DCs love. Not all schools do offer this.

You can always opt out.

Schools rely on parents' contributions more and more and I will happily support them as they do my DCs.

I see - so it's ok for schools to single out children who's parents don't/can't pay for every thing they feel like charging for?

Where on earth did I say that? You are the one claiming the school is trying to make money out of you. Would you rather they scrapped school trips altogether?

Most schools if you approach them to explain you can't afford or are struggling to pay for a trip or event will try to help as best they can whereas sitting on mumsnet complaining about it will achieve nothing.

And I agree you are deluded if you think it's going to get any better at secondary level.

In the last few weeks I've given £8 for jon-uniform day (grandparents wanted to donate too), £2.50 to see santa at the school fair, a bottle of wine for the tombola, £40 worth of vouchers for the raffle and £7 for a farm trip. The school are doing a great job educating and entertaining my child and I don't begrudge helping out and paying her way. It's all part of the costs involved in raising children IMO

If school doesn't request money from parents then I am sure you won't mind them never doing trips? Or never having enough art supplies? Or not updating the reading scheme? Never doing plays or parties for he children?

Fundraising helps to pay for all the "non essential" extras. Trips just wouldn't happen if parents weren't asked to pay for their child - worth remembering though that it is a "voluntary contribution" if it's an educational trip so children won't be left behind, or singled out, if it isn't paid - BUT if too many don't pay then it can't happen so schools have to rely on parents who can afford to pay paying, and those who can't paying what they can so they can minimise the loss made on the trip

OP, you're just embarrassing yourself on here, I'm afraid.

I'm another one amused by the idea that this will get any better at secondary level!

Feel sorry for your children, everything school related things are waste of money for you, OP.

I can see where you're coming from OP. £30 is a lot if you are on a budget. People on pupil premium tend to get trips free (and rightly so) but lots of people do not fall into that category but are still struggling.

My own kid's primary is reasonably affluent. Our panto this year is by a theatre company coming into the school and paid for by the PTA. And to get round the cost of coaches the school sometimes does trips into nearby cities on the local train.

Shaming kids for not bringing in mufti day money is quite mean though. I really wonder what goes on in some teachers' heads.

Get your head out of your arse op. You clearly know nothing about how schools run or about education in 2016. I can't even be bothered to waste my time explaining for someone like you.

*OP, you're just embarrassing yourself on here, I'm afraid.

I'm another one amused by the idea that this will get any better at secondary level!*

oh the irony of somebody using personal attacks and constructing a complete straw man argument and then talking about embarrassment.

I'm quite happy to pay for Secondary school if I feel the school has the children's best interests at mind. If not, then no, I won't be happy to pay.

Not that we're loaded with money

I've taken quite a lot on board and appreciated the constructive criticisms. Some good points were made about school budgets and so on.

I've got a valid point that schools that use their perceived moral authority to make moral demands on parents to pay for things they never asked for or had a say in.

It's one of the last bastions of olden days.. the church used to do the same as far as I'm aware

Horrified about how much money is required for state school activities. Many parents are constantly having to scrimp and save just to make sure their child is included. Its just wrong, i know many can afford them but many may not. With budgets being cut everywhere and bills rising higher, who can afford these extras anymore. They may be small sums to some butto others itmay have to be a decision of where to save from to cover the cost. Schools in impossible situation as well, trying to organise activities without funding. Government is fleecing us all i feel.

I've got a valid point that schools that use their perceived moral authority to make moral demands on parents to pay for things they never asked for or had a say in.

I don't see what moral authority has to do with it. Captive market possibly.

I think you are deluded if you think it will be less expensive in secondary OP. They tend to have the same Mufty days coinciding with Children in Need, Comic Relief etc £1 donation as well as bake sales at the same time 50p. Trips, I've never had one cost less than £20, team building camping was £54, musical theatre was £120. Music lessons £8pw, food ingredients weekly for half the year, material and trimmings for textiles, payment for DT projects etc etc. If you want your children to experience a more enriched curriculum then you have to expect it to cost IMO.

OP we're not well off by any stretch of the imagination but we're happy to pay for things for school/nursery as long as we're given notice obviously. We keep a "slush fund" that any spare money is put into in case of emergencies or short notice trips/school stuff. Whether it's fair or not is irrelevant, it's what happens and I don't want our kids to be left out because I'm making a point.

You haven't got a valid point at all!

I assume you have spoken to th school about your concerns about their budgeting and then asking parents to contribute to things?

their perceived moral authority to make moral demands on parents

What?

And if you believe I've made a straw man argument, then perhaps you could explain what you meant by being glad your dcs are shortly to be leaving primary school, as the implication was clear that you would not be asked for payments in future (by a secondary school). What makes you think that secondary schools will have children's best interests at heart if primary don't (in your opinion)?

The school dealt with the non uniform payment wrong. But for me, I know schools just don't have the budget for trips and I'd sooner they do them, so that leaves me paying. Having helped on lots I'm not even sure how much the kids get out of them. But it's fun and they get to go to different places with their friends. I'm not looking forward to the £300 a year the secondary ask for as a parent contribution (not inc trips) though.

OP you are just wrong. School have to prove where the Pupil Premium money goes you know. We are not allowed to make a profit on school trips. I have directed plays that made a profit - that money went straight back into the productions fund and meant we could do more. If you genuinely believe this DO SOMETHING about it. Complain to the governors. They will have a finance committee who oversee these things you know.

If you had "forgot" to pay for non uniform day why did your children dress down? Amazing you remembered the need for own clothes but not the payment.

Lots of things are optional, don't pay if you don't want too but then don't expect your children to get it for free as you don't fancy paying for it.