DS damaged a child's blazer at school, parents demand cash.

[InMySpareTime]

DS (Y11) was messing around, pretended to cut another child's blazer with scissors. They moved, and DS accidentally actually cut the blazer about 1cm into the bottom seam by the pocket.
School phoned me because child's parents want £30 for a new blazer, and they are now giving the parents my phone number to work it out between us. They have shown neither school nor me any pictures of the damage, though the child was apparently still wearing the blazer to school each day since.
I've offered to either mend the blazer, or replace it with one of DS's own Blazers. Given the blazer was not damaged maliciously, and is still perfectly wearable, am I unreasonable to think that's enough, and not pay them £30?
I don't think they'll spend it on a new blazer anyway, they're likely pulling a fast one IMO

Am I the only person who doesn't believe a school would pass on contact information to another parent?

How do you know the blazer is old and the cut is only 1cm if you haven't seen it OP?

Your ds needs to learn the consequences of his actions. If that means you have to take £10 a month out of his pocket money, so be it.

He's old enough to know better and yes, give the other parents the cash. In fact, put it in an envelope and make your ds go round to their house and hand-deliver it.

Am I the only person who doesn't believe a school would pass on contact information to another parent?

I agree.

They will only do this with your consent. Your telephone number and address are personal data and protected unt the data protection act.
DS2s school had to ask my permission to give my phone number to another parent who wanted to contact me.

I agree MissEliza that part doesn't add up at all. DS's school won't even give you details of how they have dealt with the "offender" let alone the parents contact details.

No way, I would ask for the damaged blazer and buy them a new one in tge same size. Not a chance would I just handover cash.

We should be encouraging young people to mend things rather than replace for a small, fixable problem. If the cut really is so small and can be neatly sewn I think buying a new one is silly.

Why do you wish to see the damage? Surely your son is old enough to be honest about what he did. You don't seem to be disputing he did it.

Of course you pay if you damage something beloinging to someone else. What are you teaching your son by not doing so? And of course they don't want you to buy one or have a old one of your sons, why the heck would they want that.

Your son is fifteen. Cutting s blazer isn't easy. Time for you both to grow up and accept responsibility.

The fact that they are demanding cash instead of a replacement makes it obvious they are trying it on.

DD's indie secondary school had a parents list printed with every parent's phone number and email address, copy to every parent in the year.

I wouldn't hand over the cash at all, they are pulling a fast one.

I'd write to them, copy to the Head, ask to see evidence of the damage to the old blazer.
Then ask for the size they need and tell them I'd give them a new blazer.
I'd not include the receipt so they couldn't get a refund.

OP, your ire seems to be focused in the wrong direction. If a dc of mine in Y11 did something so stupid I would be livid with them, not irritated by the school or the parents of the other dc.

Your ds has owned up to it, and I assume you have actually told him off, have you?

He shouldn't have been dicking around with scissors at school. He damaged someone else's property and he should pay the price.

£30 voucher for the school uniform shop?

I would offer to have the small cut sewn up. I would not hand over £30 for a new blazer, especially without actually seeing the state of the damage and the state of the blazer overall.

Decline their request and tell them you want to see the damage and offer to fix it.

I think you should make your son pay even if it is a month's pocket money; he is in year 11 he shouldn't be behaving like that. If your not happy giving the cash buy a new blazer but he damaged it he should replace it. The other parents may feel they are acting out of principle and want restitution for your sons behaviour.

My ds, and two other boys were playing tug of war with one of the boys school sweatshirts recently. The sweatshirt ripped. The teacher told us what had happened (separately) and both of us offered to pay for the sweatshirt. In the end the other parent refused to take the money as her son was also involved in the game. The point is though it wasn't my sons jumper playing or not he shouldn't have touched somebody else's property in a way which could cause damage. As for them wanting the money the child in question may have a spare blazer this doesn't mean you aren't responsible for replacing the one that was damaged. Yabu to not refund the money.

I would not hand over £30 cash for a 1cm cut in a y11 blazer without seeing the blazer.

Get the blazer off them and buy them a new one the same size.

Don't give cash. Replace the blazer.

1. Vomit at the word indie

1. I'd be fucked off if school gave out my phone no

Bet it's more than 1cm

Don't give cash. Get his size & order blazer yourself then at least you'll know your £30 isn't going on something else

I love how the OP absolutely minimises her DS's role in this Blazerama... he was 'messing' accidentally pretended ...

your Kid cut another kids Blazer.... Pay for it.... and MAN UP....

Yes, I'd say 'as soon as you let me know what size to get I'll buy a new blazer for your son. I won't be sending cash'.