why are schools always asking for money!

liney

*Louise* wrote: »

Actually, our school is quite good with regards to this. For school trips, pantos and things, parents are only asked to pay for the first 2 children - any others are subsidised by the school.

Your other children are paid for my the rest of us because you decided to have more then you could comfortably afford. The school don't subsidise you; they over charge on the tickets because they aren't allowed to leave children behind if their parents don't pay.

GettingHitched

I dont have kids yet, so im not sure im welcome to post here.

Im thinking back to when I was a kid, and I can honestly say I feel really sorry for my mother, and when I go to see her, Im going to ask her how on earth she managed with all the schools requests.

I can remember very clearly the last month that I was at Primary school, we had a trip to Lake District ( around £150ish ) school disco, a "bring in tins of food for the poor people" charity vouchers, school fete, school photos, pressies for classmates, pressy for teacher.
Plus new uniform for new school, plus everything else for older sister ( at 2ndary school, and little brother just moving up to primary school )

Yes people choose to have larger families, but maybe when choosing to have larger familes, they dont realise that along with everything else that they have to pay out for, for their children as part of normal school life ( lunches, uniforms ) that they also have to ( in many cases ) get into debt/struggle needlessly to pay for all these extras. On top of that, having the cheek to use the kids to get money for charities ( wonder if the schools get a % of whatevers raised?! )

I wonder if the schools/PTA's actually ever stop and think about the knock on effect that asking for all these monies has at home ( for the childs family ) what I think ( have no kids LOL ) is that while this recession is on and its all doom and gloom, is that the schools ( if they have high numbers of less well to do kids ) is to use it as a damned good excuse why you should budget your money, and when you can, make sure that you save for that rainy day (maybe forgo the Alton Towers trips! )

mummy_Jay

I'm going to throw my two pennithworth in.

My DS brought home a request for parents to insure they child for the year £12 per year, on top of the county insurance for each childs safetly. My mum works at a different school and was dicussed as there is no need for this.

I also have got fedup with the endless charity days (one every half term), I see the point of the children learning about charity but can't they just do it once a year.

Then comes the emotional blackmail on the holiday clubs, why do they feel the need to tell 4 and 5 year olds about these shockingly proced events each school holiday, which end up in my DS in tears everytime mummy has to explain he can't do them. If they must do them why can't they just get the kids to put them in their bags?
Every friday my DS comes home with a small pile of advert for clubs/events that are nothing to do with his school but cost a small fortune, it's unecessary.

My DS on friday came home with a science club advert £45 for 6x 1 hour after school sessions next term, the school had advertised it to the kids he tells me in assemble. I'm sorry but that emotional blackmail to me.

Oh and the booksales every term where they take the children round at lunchtime without the parents, and to my cost I learnt, if you are daft enough to give your child any money (£4 as that was the cheapest book listed in there leaflet they sent out prior)they ensure every penny of it is spent. He came home with a mr man book and a pencil sharpener and rubber, he said he was told he had to spend it all. Since then I have refused to let him have money for them, instead I offer to take hime bookshopping myself elsewhere.

Then you have the pointless photo's with a helicopter £14 on top of the individual photos at the beginning of the year, the problem here was its the only chance of a class photo.

And while I'm at it why can't they just ask for a donation for art supplies at the beginning of the school year, rather than a constant thread of notes asking for 75p here, 50p there, £1.25 here. I don't begrudge the money, i just find the constant requests very wearing, why not just ask for a lump sum up front?

I think its also the factor of this is DS first year at school, I had put to one side money for one lot of school photos and the school trip when I worked out my budget and a little continguence but I have been quite shocked by the amount of requests and the way they go about it leaves you feeling quite pressurized to do it.

Janepig

bigmomma051204 wrote: »

We are struggling...and i have just been sent the "uniform requirements" from the school. These include polo tshirts @ £11.50 each. Jumpers @ £16.99 each , pe bags @ £7.50 each and school hats @ £8.99 each. Now i now this is not making the school any money, but £11.50 for a plain white tshirt? :eek: that i could buy from tesco for 75p??? We have been told that the school requires all children to order their uniform from the particular company that they use as it has the correct "logo" on ALL the items. Anyway - i guess i am just trying to say to all those people who say we should appreciate having a "free school system" that although i am glad that we do (although as others have mentioned, there is that little point that we already "pay" via the taxes system in UK) i think parents pay massive amounts of money for school related things already without charity requests and expensive novelties etc!!!
I have worked out that my little boy starting school is going to cost me about £150 if not more. Ouch. i do not begrudge him obviously but i do wish things could be cheaper

By "logo" do you mean a small label on the side of the clothing, or do you mean the school badge on the chest? And afaik this does make money for the school, which is why some schools insist on you ordering through them. Which is bang out of order, something I believe the government is trying to stop, and a bit different from the PTA trying to fund-raise for equipment and trips.

What's the worst that will happen if you send him in a plain top in the right colour? I'm a fan of uniforms, it saves me a whole lot of hassle in the mornings when I'm getting DD dressed, but in primary school I don't see the need to be too strict about it and a plain polo shirt or sweatshirt in the school colour would do just as well imo.

Jxx

bestpud

bigmomma051204 wrote: »

Well Said!!
Have to say, this thread is panicking my as my son is going off to primary school in Sept. We live in an affluent village full of very "well off" people and i can very much imagine that the school will "enjoy" this fact by doing pricey things lol

...my partner had a major car crash in November last year and is off work for the forseeable future due to major injuries. I work full time so cannot be classed as a carer (despite having to bath him, lift him into and out of bed, dress him etc etc - he is 6ft 1 and 15 stone and i suffice to say, am not LOL) and we currently are surviving on my wage alone, which although an okay wage of £19,000 pro rata, is about half of what we need to live on!! You live to your means etc but we were already living to our means Before the accident and obviously cannot just move to a cheaper house etc like That *snap* (lol)
Anyway, we recieve no benefits as i earn "too much" and although my partner has applied for Disability living allowance, we have been warned that we will probably only get the minimum of about £20 per week. Which although it will help, will not help enough We are struggling...and i have just been sent the "uniform requirements" from the school. These include polo tshirts @ £11.50 each. Jumpers @ £16.99 each , pe bags @ £7.50 each and school hats @ £8.99 each. Now i now this is not making the school any money, but £11.50 for a plain white tshirt? :eek: that i could buy from tesco for 75p??? We have been told that the school requires all children to order their uniform from the particular company that they use as it has the correct "logo" on ALL the items. Anyway - i guess i am just trying to say to all those people who say we should appreciate having a "free school system" that although i am glad that we do (although as others have mentioned, there is that little point that we already "pay" via the taxes system in UK) i think parents pay massive amounts of money for school related things already without charity requests and expensive novelties etc!!!
I have worked out that my little boy starting school is going to cost me about £150 if not more. Ouch. i do not begrudge him obviously but i do wish things could be cheaper

Okay, rant over! :o:o

Just want to say you should be receiving child tax credits on that income (more than just the family element too) and possibly even working tax credits if it is pro rata and you are part time.

Have you applied?

Flashdaisy

I totally agree that no parent should have to go into a school office and explain themselves and their financial situation. How humiliating for someone to have to do that when they are probably feeling rubbish enough in the first place for struggling financially. At my daughters school there are several PTA members that are very frequently sitting in the school office with the staff, no way would I go in and start letting them all know our financial circumstances.

Out of interest, do schools in less affluent/deprived areas constantly ask for money like schools in wealthier areas do? My DH's nephew attends a school in a deprived area and my SIL said they are never asked for a penny, yet they do all the things that my DD's infant school, who constantly asked for money, did. Do deprived schools receive more funding? I ask this question out of genuine interest, not in a "why do they get more than us?" way!

bestpud

mummy_Jay wrote: »

I'm going to throw my two pennithworth in.

My DS brought home a request for parents to insure they child for the year £12 per year, on top of the county insurance for each childs safetly. My mum works at a different school and was dicussed as there is no need for this.

I ignore letters like this. Don't give them a second thought in fact.

I also have got fedup with the endless charity days (one every half term), I see the point of the children learning about charity but can't they just do it once a year.

Then comes the emotional blackmail on the holiday clubs, why do they feel the need to tell 4 and 5 year olds about these shockingly proced events each school holiday, which end up in my DS in tears everytime mummy has to explain he can't do them. If they must do them why can't they just get the kids to put them in their bags?
Every friday my DS comes home with a small pile of advert for clubs/events that are nothing to do with his school but cost a small fortune, it's unecessary.

My DS on friday came home with a science club advert £45 for 6x 1 hour after school sessions next term, the school had advertised it to the kids he tells me in assemble. I'm sorry but that emotional blackmail to me.

I wonder if you've approached the school and asked that they simply send the information home? Same for anyone talking about emotional blackmail really - perhaps the school are unaware of the way people feel?

Oh and the booksales every term where they take the children round at lunchtime without the parents, and to my cost I learnt, if you are daft enough to give your child any money (£4 as that was the cheapest book listed in there leaflet they sent out prior)they ensure every penny of it is spent. He came home with a mr man book and a pencil sharpener and rubber, he said he was told he had to spend it all. Since then I have refused to let him have money for them, instead I offer to take hime bookshopping myself elsewhere.

Then you have the pointless photo's with a helicopter £14 on top of the individual photos at the beginning of the year, the problem here was its the only chance of a class photo.

Again, maybe this should be communicated to the school. Perhaps other parents feel they would simply like a normal class photo too?

And while I'm at it why can't they just ask for a donation for art supplies at the beginning of the school year, rather than a constant thread of notes asking for 75p here, 50p there, £1.25 here. I don't begrudge the money, i just find the constant requests very wearing, why not just ask for a lump sum up front?

Personally, I'd rather pay as I go, as I'd struggle to pay a lump sum but this is a probably a divided issue.

I think its also the factor of this is DS first year at school, I had put to one side money for one lot of school photos and the school trip when I worked out my budget and a little continguence but I have been quite shocked by the amount of requests and the way they go about it leaves you feeling quite pressurized to do it.

This isn't aimed at you personally (I've just picked your post because it was there) but it seems to me there is a common theme running through this thread.

Maybe it's time parents got together and approached the schools?

Otherwise, they may be blissfullly unaware of the issue and think it is just the few moaning minnies who object...

bestpud

Flashdaisy wrote: »

I totally agree that no parent should have to go into a school office and explain themselves and their financial situation. How humiliating for someone to have to do that when they are probably feeling rubbish enough in the first place for struggling financially. At my daughters school there are several PTA members that are very frequently sitting in the school office with the staff, no way would I go in and start letting them all know our financial circumstances.

Out of interest, do schools in less affluent/deprived areas constantly ask for money like schools in wealthier areas do? My DH's nephew attends a school in a deprived area and my SIL said they are never asked for a penny, yet they do all the things that my DD's infant school, who constantly asked for money, did. Do deprived schools receive more funding? I ask this question out of genuine interest, not in a "why do they get more than us?" way!

My older children went to a different type of school to my youngest, so I can give you my experience.

The primary in the deprived area asked for more money from parents and were more pushy about collecting it too. DD's (better catchment) school aren't too bad, but then I've got to a point where I am happy to ignore requests I cannot afford, or do not want to contribute to.

However, the secondary school in the deprived area rarely asked for money whereas the 'better' schools around here are always organising something.

It was down to funding, I think, because it had been in special measures and the head told the PTFA the following year that he only had to ask and the cash was there. Mind, the area was part if a regeneration project too, so some of the funding came for that.

My dd goes to a small school where everybody knows everybody so gossip spreads fast. However, when I applied for free school meals (and there were a couple of PTA members photocopying leaflets and other parents asking for things etc at the time), the school secretary could not have been more supportive or discreet.

Maybe you could point this issue out to the Head/Governors and say you are concerned parents will be unable to discuss personal issues, of any kind, not just financial?

Janepig

Flashdaisy wrote: »

Out of interest, do schools in less affluent/deprived areas constantly ask for money like schools in wealthier areas do? My DH's nephew attends a school in a deprived area and my SIL said they are never asked for a penny, yet they do all the things that my DD's infant school, who constantly asked for money, did. Do deprived schools receive more funding? I ask this question out of genuine interest, not in a "why do they get more than us?" way!

I'm not sure if schools in "deprived" areas get more funding or not. My thinking is that it's more to do with how the headteacher manages their budget, particularly if schools are having to ask for contributions towards stationery !!!!!!!!! I know that some areas in my town are designated "communities first" or something like that and get extra funding from Europe I think. For instance DS goes to a welsh medium playgroup and I pay £4 a session for him, but there's another one up the road from his one which is in a "deprived area", run by the same organisation, but they get communities first funding so it's free and open for longer hours. But I'm not sure that this extends to schools.

One of my friends is convinced that welsh medium schools get more funding but it's not the case. Especially in this area - all the under-subscibed english medium schools are getting new builds and refurbs and the 3 welsh medium schools are horribly overcrowded in miserable accommodation.

Jxx

DaisyFlower

mummy_Jay wrote: »

Then comes the emotional blackmail on the holiday clubs, why do they feel the need to tell 4 and 5 year olds about these shockingly proced events each school holiday, which end up in my DS in tears everytime mummy has to explain he can't do them. If they must do them why can't they just get the kids to put them in their bags?
Every friday my DS comes home with a small pile of advert for clubs/events that are nothing to do with his school but cost a small fortune, it's unecessary.

My DS on friday came home with a science club advert £45 for 6x 1 hour after school sessions next term, the school had advertised it to the kids he tells me in assemble. I'm sorry but that emotional blackmail to me.

Oh and the booksales every term where they take the children round at lunchtime without the parents, and to my cost I learnt, if you are daft enough to give your child any money (£4 as that was the cheapest book listed in there leaflet they sent out prior)they ensure every penny of it is spent

Its hardly emotional blackmail to explain a new afterschool club to the children it is aimed at! Some children like afterschool activities, some parents dont drive so after school clubs are great for them as no ferrying to and fro etc. Just because you dont personally do any clubs doesnt mean the school should stop arranging them.

The external clubs to advertise through schools as they are aimed at children, nobody is forced to use them and many working parents use holiday clubs as childcare so its great they are known about.

As for bookclubs, no child at our school is "forced" to spend all their money, all the infants would only ever be at a book sale with a parent anyway. If you thought he was forced to spend it all you should have spoken to the teacher to establish the schools version of events.