Paying for school trips

Flashdaisy

At my daughter's school if you don't pay the child doesn't get to go! I think they got a bit fed up with parents refusing to pay and having to subsidise their children out of school funds.

Not sure this is fair on the actual children who don't get to go on outings, but I bet a lot more parents pay up now than used to!

Surfbabe

Your school must have a remissions policy covering the subject of school trips payments. Ask at the office - if they haven;t contact the head and Chair of Governors as it is a requirement. I can let youhave the links but not until tomorrow when i get back to school!!!

DaisyFlower

nzmegs wrote: »

My son has just returned from a school trip which he enjoyed - fine. We were all asked to pay a "voluntary" contribution of £14. Which we did. it was a full day trip. We had to provide a lunch from home and spending money. so in all it cost me £17.

I have since discovered the usual cost of this place they visited is £3 per school age child and the bus that drove them there would have cost no more than £5 per child.

So I paid twice as much as i should have to the school. it was voluntary and those children whose parents couldn't (or wouldn't ) pay were able to go anyway. We were given at least 3 months notice of the trip and so I don't really see an excuse for not paying.

So what has happened to the rest of the money? I also hear that the council has a school trip grant - is this true?

I really see the benefit in school trips but I really feel we have paid well over the odds on this one and I want to know where my money has gone. I don't have enough money just to give it to the school for whatever else they decide to spend it on.

If the trip cost £14 its unlikely they made much over the actual cost. I know a coach costs £6 per child here, £3 for the entry fee and the other £5 will be fundling the PL insurance which is very costly and extra staff. Yes some parents help out but they still need the correct number of teachers etc who are CRB checked etc. The xtra for the lunch from home and spending money should be excluded as the school doesnt have that money.

DS's school letters always state the cost is voluntary but if enough parents dont pay the trip would simply be cancelled. At least two weeks notice is always given, usually longer, so no reason for anybody not to pay.