Why do schools assume we can afford to pay for school trips at short notice

[Commonsensitivity]

I have a decent job, but am still sorting out situation with ex other parent and so money is carefully budgeted.

I heard last Monday about a school trip with payment required before the next Monday.

It was not a massive amount but more than I could afford at the time. It was actually to visit somewhere free but for the cost of a coach etc.

There are many more trips coming up and I'm wondering with the cost of living crisis how the school just accepts that we can afford to pay. What would happen if I said I couldn't.

We live in a wealthy and middle class area so I am assuming not many families have this issue, though with the cost of living crisis it must be an increasing concern.

I think if you went in and spoke to them you could arrange to pay in stages even after the trip.

Probably @Floralnomad but not everyone likes admitting money is tight and so will put themselves into financial jeopardy rather than that, as no one wants their children to miss out. I agree with you, @Commonsensitivity

Thanks @Floralnomad I think it's just an awkward conversation to have!

Well you’ve answered your own question

It wasn’t a large amount, hence why the school gave a weeks notice for payment.

Come on - you’re not telling me that any amount isn’t a lot to some people, especially in January even without the current situation.

They are the minority though, school policy can’t be based on the handful of people who can’t afford £30 for a coach contribution!

It will likely be a “voluntary contribution” but if not enough are received the trip can’t go ahead. So if you can’t pay and say so that shouldn’t cause issues and as PP have said you may be able to pay later

@Tenuouslink how do you know it's a "handful of people"? £30 in a week is a great deal to many these days!

I save up over the year, usually about £2 a week. That way, when we get a request the money is already there.

It makes no difference to the school giving people a bit more notice.

£30 isn’t a small amount.

That’s great @Tiggal but then if your washing machine breaks or the car won’t start or similar you’re back to where you started.

Who said anything about £30? I doubt it would be that much. I reckon it’s about £12

If you are short of money I fail to see what is embarrassing about having a private conversation with a staff member at school , they are hardly likely to be shouting about it in the playground

If you are short of money I fail to see what is embarrassing about having a private conversation with a staff member at school , they are hardly likely to be shouting about it in the playground

I'm really sorry you have failed to see it.

I would want at least two weeks notice so I'm either able to put money aside early in the pay month, or payday will fall before it's due. A week's notice could fall a week and a day before payday, and January payday falls 5 weeks after December payday for me!

A weeks notice is not good enough and you wouldn’t be alone in expecting the school to give more time, so tell them.

It might be an awkward conversation but it’s worth getting over a bit of awkwardness for your child sake. There’s no shame in not having enough spare cash at the end of January, it’s normal.

If you and enough others didn’t pay then the school would have to pay for the coach out of the school budget or cancel the trip. It’s most likely that they would do the latter.

how do I know?

well the data on current % of families struggling is easily accessible

IME most schools are just really disorganised. They haven't deliberately given short notice, they just didn't get round to doing it sooner. They'll blame workloads, but after feedback about how difficult this is for families we now send out a school diary at the start of every year with all the main events scheduled .

This helps parents who need to schedule time off for events in school too.

It's only possible though because the head and admin staff have been there forever and the school year and events basically never change. Short notice trips will mean someone's had an "idea".

FwIw any request for money for a trip in school time can only be a voluntary contribution. And should say so in the letter)They can't stop your child going because you didn't pay, although the trip may be cancelled if they get insufficient voluntary contributions.

Fuck me, there are some entitled people on this thread who have never been short of money and it really shows.

Schools will have to change this approach. £2 can be too much for some people at the moment let alone 10 or 20. Of course it is embarrassing to go to the school and say you can't afford the school trip.

This isn’t something new I recall this happening when I was in school 35+ years ago

If you can’t find £12 in a week you need to take a long hard look in the mirror

Wow, what a shitty comment.

Fucking rude!

What is "not a large amount"?

Most of our school trips have been under a tenner. If they're asking for £3 that's a lot different to £30.

Op ignore @Tenuouslink They either have zero self awareness or are trying to upset people who are already struggling.

Perhaps @Tenuouslink you could have a long hard look in the mirror.