high school charging kids to make their DT projects.

kiwifruit_2

I grew up and did my schooling in New Zealand. When it was time to do cooking, metalwork, sewing etc - we had to purchase ALL the materials ourselves (including cottons, needles, herbs, etc etc) and then also pay $2 towards the electicity used etc. On top of that, at all schools in NZ, you pay school fees each year, which near $100. THEN - first day back at school, kids are given a 'book list' for their year and that has all the exercise books, maths instruments, pens, ringbinders etc etc that are required for the year - parents have to pay this. School year in NZ starts in January - straight after christmas, so it not unusal for kids to have school bags, pencil cases, pens etc for christmas presents lol.....anyway back to the point. I agree - 50p is not alot but it is the principle of the point. In saying that, I do think that going to school in this country isnt as expensive as some places!!!

vwcampervan72

When my children were at Infant school we was asked for a £1.00 per WEEK contribution, they said it was for better toilet roll, nicer hand soap etc,

Had two girls there at the same time for two years, that soon added up

Then you find out the head and dep went to australia for 6 weeks to find out how aussie schools work, there was uproar at school.

Funny thing was it was 'contributions' but come the end of term the non payers always had a phone call reminding them about the contributions *angry*

leahthea

i've just been sent a letter(one first day back to school) for £9 for cooking and we still send food in plus £6 for a lost locker key (ok sons fault) £15 for locker for year and now he needs a tracksuit for pe (my son doesn't do tracksuits) second son also needs tracksuit too
so i'm of to sports shop after school hurray the joys of parenting

xxlaurissaxx

At my school we didnt have to provide anything but we had to pay £1 everytime we were cooking or £5 in our cooking exams(we write a list and the school get it for us) but sometimes it could be a pain as my mum and dad didnt believe i would need £3 per week(most weeks) as i had 3 classes. M<ind you when i wasnt cooking i would still tell them i had! lol more money for the weekend. lol xx

silvercar

stef240377 wrote: »

Son just handed me a letter from the school regarding this 50p and it states

'the majority of materials, tools and equipment and components for DT projects are provided by the school. However we ask a small contribution of 50p per project and we are very grateful for your support.'

Letter then goes on to say your child will be starting the year in the food area shortly you will be provided with a recipe sheet detailing ingredients required.
Textiles will require fleece fabric of choice and cotton to match.

So this means i am paying for the use of a few cooking utensils and a sewing machine they can never use as they are always out of order and end up finishing project at home.

Think i will be writing my letter to ask them to explain why i am asked to supply the 50p for materials if they then go on to contradict themselves if i have to provide all required stuffs.

Can you justify the head's time being spent dealing with your letter?

stef240377

Although i originally started with a rant on my post i had left a question at the end of it asking how many other schools charged on top of parents providing the listed requirements for in school projects, i feel this thread has now detracted away from that and is focusing on whether the 50p a term is extortionate.

Whilst my childrens school are requesting this extra expense it is also known that budgets are set aside to repair failing machinery etc not to lay out the items required for those who cant afford to make 'X' in the project, it is meerly a case of bring it and make it or lose out at their schools. What disheartens me though is the machinery used by my kids and most of the tools are what i had used some 14 years ago and the teachers boast how the tools will out live each and every teacher to go on to use them. The only outlay that can been seen is the introduction of PC'S in every class room and interactive white boards.

Carmina_Piranha_3

Where did the £2 figure come from? Do you have 4 terms?

My son's high school doesn't charge, but you provide the ingredients. Last year I wished the teacher could provide them with their tiny bit of vanilla essence, instead of parents having to find a way to send the child to school with 5ml already measured out :rotfl: Wish school could teach children to measure instead of making them bring in everything pre-wrapped in the correct quantities.

When he made a tie in dewing class they all made them, and then if they wanted to bring it home they paid £1 or it went in the bin

Krystaltips

DD starts reception class tomorrow... I'm dreading it a bit... In nursery last year every other day she would bring home a letter for £1 for this £3 for that... Plus 60p per week Nursery fund and £2 per term school fund, I figured out in 1 month they had over £40... She's only 4! I'm hoping the reception class has a bit more funding than the nursery seemed to have...

thriftmonster

IN Home EC we provide most of the ingredients, but the school provide the small things such as chilli oil for today. They often provide the liquids as well such as buttermilk.

However I have to say 50p a term is pretty cheap. We pay £140 per year compulsory fee and £210 per year voluntary fee for a state grammar school - although I think the school is pretty approachable in cases of hardship. As there are virtually no private schools here in NI all schools publish their fees in the prospectus - ours is probably one of the higher ones - but you pay £14 per month over 10 months if you only pay the compulsory amount.

BernadetteN

£2 extra year wow!

Our kids have just started Belgian schools. Each child cost us around €100 each in school supplies every child has to supply their own pens, paper, paints, books. You even have to pay €1 a day for the children to stay at school during the lunch hour, amounting to close to €150 a year each child. You then get charged a varying amount for other miscellaneous things and EVERY child pays, no opting out as every parent receives a bill every few weeks. Our total cost to send 3 kids to a "free" state school here will be around €900 this year. Give me £2 any day.