financial help for residential trips

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Just found out that a mum has written to school asking for financial help to allow her child go on a foreign residential trip. Reasons being she is a single mum that cannot afford it but does not want to let the child down. It is her choice to only work part time. I work full time and I struggle with money, as will many other parents in today's climate. There is no way I could afford to send my child on a foreign residential and find them extortionate for the amount of days they are there. Would rather put the money towards a family holiday. Any way do you think a school would help in this kind of situation if child is not on free school meals, and no income support claimed. If they can, then surely everyone would be able to put a sob story together.

Do you know in detail this lady's financial situation?

Would you rather her child didn't go than she ask for help?

Don't think "everyone" would submit a sob story, they can do that now and they don't.

What a horrid op,

I am assuming the school has a fund as many schools do for these cases - one to which you would presumably also be able to apply - why don't you? Or if you really think these trips are a waste of money, then I don't see what the problem is as presumably you wouldn't send your DC anyway even if you had the money.

Other people's financial affairs are their business. If you'd like you child to go but can't afford it maybe you should contact the school. If, as you say, you have other uses for your money - case closed.

How did you actually find out she had written to the school?

All schools have a fees and remissions policy so you need to look at it to see who qualifies for what. However don't worry about other people because you can do nothing about perceived injustice. You just have to do the best for your children.

I work at a school administering trips. We look at each case individually. Help is available for those who do not necessarily fit into a special group; FSM, young carers etc. We are not the police and we do not come round and inspect your accounts - we have to operate on the basis that most people are reasonable in their requests.

How do you know she has written to the school ?
I don't think that you are in a position to know all the ins and outs of her financial situation.
I also think it depends to some extent if this is something that's beneficial to a course, or if it's a 'holiday' type trip such as skiing.

If the trip is part of the curriculum, eg history trip to WWI war fields, then I wouldn't have a problem. Our school always puts on letters that there may be financial help available if you need it. However, if the trip was a jolly. Eg. Ski trip, then in would feel it was out of order.