Paying for school trips.

tigsowner

We chose to send our eldest daughter to a different school for 6th form as her previous one couldn't off the a-levels she wanted. As it was a school and not a 6th form college, we were not entitled to any help with her adult fares (or EMA due to our income). Fair enough, our choice. In September, my DH lost his job and we had absolutely no money except child benefit and DD's part-time job. The school was fantastic and offered to pay her train fares for a few weeks. The relief was wonderful!
Her little sister also attends the same school and although they publish a school diary in September so that you have some clue as to upcoming costs, we have had to find almost £300 for a week's residential trip in September over 3months' payment schedule. We did know about it and tried to budget but it is still hard to find the money. Also, as we do not holiday abroad, DD2 did not have a passport for a daytrip to France. I estimate that this trip cost £115 in total, (although she now has a passport for 5 years and that will make getting an adult one easier too.)
The school does try to help where it can, but I do have some issues with recent uniform changes (£8 for 1 blouse???) so it is worth writing to the headteacher if you do have a problem. Not everyone who doesn't qualify for free school meals can afford extra's. We do try to provide these where we can as we believe in a well-rounded individual.

tigsowner

PS. Admit I hadn't read all the replies before I posted the above quote and I'm horrified at some of them. Most people do work hard and pay when they can - we don't expect "something for nothing" but having paid taxes all our working taxes, it would be nice to get the help we've paid for others to have.
Re EMA - as DH wasn't working LAST year, our son will now be able to claim it for THIS year - something badly wrong with the system there!