Paying for school trips

shop-to-drop

I know how you feel. Some people (myself included) wouldn't dream of not paying the contribution but it does make you feel exploited when you realise that there are people who can probably afford it at least as much as you but don't and so you are subsidising them. I don't think anyone should pay more than the actual cost. The school should make up the shortfall some other way or cancel trips. We have three kids and have always paid whatever school have asked for even when my husband went through a period of unemployment and we were living on the redundancy payment. Like you I have no problem with paying our share however tight the budget at home but it is depressing to know you are subsidising others very likely better off.

nzmegs

I didn't think of insurance... thanks for reminding me. I understnad that some people may find it difficult to pay - but three months notice is a long time. Most people should be able to put aside even a pound a week to cover this expense - if they did then the trip would be cheaper for everyone.

My husband and I are not on good wages and have huge debts yet we pay because it is the right thing to do. we have two kids so i also understand the problems of multiple trips. it's hard but we manage. I believe other people could manage too.

nzmegs

Parents also went (unpaid) to supervise the kids. So no extra teaching staff.

tattycath

One of my kids went on a residential trip earlier this year and just after we'd finished paying for it she got another letter for another trip costing £90+ so I had to tell her she couldn't go - we always pay for ours too. My sister used to work at a school and she said some people who were better off-or appearred to be- didn't used to pay for things when contribution was voluntary, on the other hand some people just simply did not have the means.

Loz01

My parents always paid the voluntary money for school trips but a few people in my class NEVER EVER paid up and still got to go. Also, we used to go the secondary school (when I was in primary) to make pizzas etc, and you had to take your own ingredients. Some parents refused, said they couldnt afford a pizza base, tomato sauce and cheese , so the teacher went round the took food from everyone else's bags so they could make one :eek: it does feel like a bloody cheek sometimes.

nibs

iwanttosave wrote: »

That will more than likely be for insurance, just in case little Johnny trips and Mum and Dad decide to sue the school for negligence.

I would like to believe that but one parent who knows the school secretary well was told that the school buys an insurance to cover these sort of trips per year not per trip. I dont know how true this is though.
If so, I am assuming that there would be a different insurance per year for coach trips and so on, depending on nature of the trip.
Although I personally didnt say anything at the time, I know there were many parents questioning the volantary costs.

tattycath

whether insurance is bought per year or per trip, it still needs paying for and the money has to come from somewhere

Hardup_Hester

Approximately 10% of parents pay for trips, that is why the cost is so high, you are paying for those who won't can't pay.

aimee21j

nzmegs wrote: »

Parents also went (unpaid) to supervise the kids. So no extra teaching staff.

These parents aren't insured to supervise the kids on their own. You still need one member of staff to every 10 kids. They will have still had to buy in cover.

Spiderjonifer

It appears that the trips was very expensive, insurance will cost a small amount if it is not a dangerous activity. Skiing for example. I have got to the stage where my childs school appear to want money on a weekly basis.

Cake sales, fund raising events etc.

I think that it comes to a point where you have to be realistic you do not want your child to miss out. But why should you subsidise other children. A voluntary contribution should not mean you also pay fro everyone else.

Why not send what you think the trip costs plus 10%. See what happens.

Challenge the school and ask for a breakdown of the trip costings.

Many school have insurance policies that cover children and cost the equlivant of 50 pence per day trip.

Ask the school and se what they say.

As for a voluntary contribution you may also want to raise the point that a school must justify trips as being part of the curriculum. Legally as I understand it a school cannot deny any child access to edcational activities. You may wish to bring your feelings to the attention of the Gouverning body.

Also many places offer free adult places to teachers if they bring school groups. Also places get a lot of business for trips and so try to attract schools as it is big business.