Paying for school trips.

JimmyTheWig

Is your son receiving free school meals? If so, explain the problem to the school and I'm sure they'll understand.
Maybe you can pay the cost of the trip off weekly over the next month?

bestpud

nightsky224 wrote: »

Ah yes because it is so easy to save and £60 a week is a fortune its not like children need clothes,shoes (that they dont grow out of) food, transport to school etc etc. I think some people have been a bit harsh. Schools often give little notice on paying for trips and it can be alot of money.

If the OP is only getting £52 a week then she is either working, paying off a loan, or arrears - it should be £64 a week.

On top of that, she will receive around £45 per week for each child and child benefit on top.

There is also the first £20 of any child maintenance and the first £20 of any earnings.

Most won't be paying any rent or council tax either.

It's a struggle, especially if there are debts to pay off, but it can be done with carful budgeting.

That said, if you really cannot afford it, OP, then do ask at the school as they will be used to this kind of scenario and should be able to help with the cost.

Skinnymoo

bestpud wrote: »

If the OP is only getting £52 a week then she is either working, paying off a loan, or arrears - it should be £64 a week.

On top of that, she will receive around £45 per week for each child and child benefit on top.

There is also the first £20 of any child maintenance and the first £20 of any earnings.

Most won't be paying any rent or council tax either.

It's a struggle, especially if there are debts to pay off, but it can be done with carful budgeting.

That said, if you really cannot afford it, OP, then do ask at the school as they will be used to this kind of scenario and should be able to help with the cost.

The £52 is CT Credit, I get £14 taken off from IS for a loan and £20 child benefit.yes it's hard, but I do manage mostly, I try to save, but it is not always possible! All I wanted was to know if there is any help, I have ALWAYS paid for him, and will be this time, as I really don't think I can ask the school. I did just wonder as I have seen mentioned on this board, that some parents don't pay.

Birdy12

Skinnymoo wrote: »

I did just wonder as I have seen mentioned on this board, that some parents don't pay.

Being cynical me me it makes me wonder if it's the same people who are prone not to pay for a school trip because it is a 'voluntary' request. They think 'oh, everyone else will pay so if I don't there's still enough in the pot to enable my child to go as well'. Which, of course, is unfair on the people that religiously pay for every school trip.

It is annoying when you receive a request for cash, particularly, if it's short notice, (I had one for my DD last week which gave me about 5 days to pay), but I do think people who work should be treated just as fairly, when if comes to school trips etc, as people who receive some sort of benefit. The above posters are right, money should be set aside for these things regardless of where the money comes from in the first place, (work, IS, CTC, WTC etc.).

Mind you, after all the things we've paid out for the kids this month, (why is June always such an expensive month as far as school is concerned?), roll on pay day...

SuziQ

When I had requests hit me from all 3 childrens schools in one week I talked to the school and they accepted a donation off me. I hated doing it but had no choice,hadn't been on IS very long and hadn't had time to put money away for that sort of thing. Since then I have been able to pay every time,but there are people at my youngest childs school who never ever pay anything towards school trips on principle and I feel that is very unfair.

Galvatron_2

Zara33 wrote: »

That's interesting never heard of this before I wonder if it depends on the local authority.

Well it was quite a while ago, when I was at school in the 90s. My mum was on income support and there were three of us. We had free school meals and all that.

I seem to remember a trip to France that was normally £160 being £80 instead. I think maybe my mum contacted the school secretary to see about a reduced price whenever there was a school trip. One time they gave her 30% off I remember.

sandraroffey

dont be afraid to talk to the school. you wont be the first and you wont be the last. they can only say yes or no.

Prudent

Schools know which parents always try hard to provide for their children, even if they are limited incomes. If you have always paid for trips on time, it is worth contacting them and asking if you can pay in a few installments. Some schools also operate a savings scheme where you can pay in an amount of your choice every week to save up for trips.

I am a teacher and over the last couple of years ,it has been hardest to get any money from the highest income family in my class. It is not always about ability to pay. One of the mums on benefits pays everything at once, sometimes even before we ask. When we came to one trip that was quite pricey, she said it was a struggle. We knew she really meant it, so we helped out. Over the years she has been really good at helping with fundraising by contributing old toys, baking etc.

pinky_p

Absolutely agree with Prudent's post. My children have brought letters home from senior school asking for voluntary contributions for school trips, it states that a contribution is not expected from those receiving certain benefits. However, the reality is that if a school cannot get enough voluntary contribution then the trip may have to be cancelled. I have heard of schools having to cancel trips because they don't have lots of spare money to fund it.

I think that most schools allow children to go on trips even if the parents haven't paid and as Prudent said the schools usually know those who always try to pay. As other posters have said it is always best to speak to the school as this may have a bearing on whether the trip is going ahead if others have not made their 'voluntary donations.'

pupsicola

I have spoken with the head at my sons school as I simply cant afford to pay out for all the wonderful things they lay on for them. The class teacher was being a bit rude and kept reminding me to pay up in front of other parents. It states voluntarily so they cant force you and they cant excluide the child. Stand your ground