School trips and "voluntary" contributions

[TheVisitor]

Hi all

The triplets' school has organised a trip to the local science and industry museum for the Year 7s, cost of £4.60 per child. Whilst it doesn't seem much, at the moment paying for all 3 kids is a bit of a struggle. Although the letter states voluntary contributions, it's stating that without parental contributions, the trip will not go ahead. If parents feel they are unable to contribute, speak to the head and a payment schedule can be arranged (!) It also states that any children who can't go (as in can't afford it) can be accommodated in normal lessons. I have requested that I pay for 2 children rather than the 3 and got a flat no.

This visit is during school hours and is part of the curriculum. Am I wrong in thinking that poorer families are being discriminated against here?

so you want one to stay at school?

Noooo, pay for 2 children but the 3 go. I had this arrangement with their primary school.

If the contributions are voluntary surely they are just that - I once got a reminder that I hadn't paid a voluntary contribution, asking me if I wanted to! (In fact I had and they had lost the cheque, it was returned months later!)

The school should have a written policy regarding school trips and payments so ask for a copy and see what it says.

They are not allowed to do this. they can ask for contributions only- ie they are voluntary.

No child should miss the trip for financial reasons, this is discriminatory. The school can either find the funds to send them or cancel the whole trip. Those are the only two options.

Perhaps by 'any child who can't go', they mean children who do not have permission (ie they won't be sent home).

Well, if he won't allow me to pay for just two of them, then none of them will go, as I really can't afford it at the moment. He's not rang me back yet either, and I know he is there this afternoon, as the lower school head told me! I think it's very sad that they'll miss out.

Offer to pay 2/3 for each child.

They are not allowed to refuse any child a place on the trip for financial reasons. If you do not get a satisfactory answer, go to the LEA or governors.

Thanks for that. I'll send a cheque in for 2/3 of the cost for each child and see what he says. Very rude of him not to call me back when he is aware that the payment deadline is tomorrow.

As the letter says, it is a voluntary contribution. The school can legitimately say that the trip will be cancelled if there are not enough voluntary contributions to make the trip possible. However they cannot discriminate against the pupils of parents who are unwilling or unable to contribute. If the trip goes ahead they must take all the children in Y7 regardless of whether or not they have paid. They only way they can legally refuse to let you pay for just two of your children is if they are saying you can either pay for all three of them or all three will go free. That seems a very odd position for them to take, risking the entire trip being cancelled because they are refusing to accept your voluntary contribution, so it suggests they don't understand what "voluntary" means.

Go back and tell them that you are going to pay a voluntary contribution for two of your children only. Remind them that they must take all three of your children on this trip regardless of whether or not you make any contribution. If they do not do so they are breaking the law.

Enclose a letter saying something like-

Please find enclosed a voluntary contribution towards the cost of

It's fine now. The head of the lower school has just rang and undermined him. She's happy that I phoned and offered a contribution that I could afford and I don't need to take any notice of him. Thanks for your help, ladies.

Nice one

Although the head perhaps needs this policy explaining to him.

Does your area do anything like this scheme?
www.familiesonline.co.uk/Locations/Hereford-and-Worcester/Articles/POW-Positive-Opportunities-Worcestershire

Glad you have got it sorted.

That will be being suggested to him by letter.