Cruel School?

janninew

GracieP wrote: »

There was already a poster on this thread who wrote about having £10 left for the week and they were low on food.

What do you think happens in families where one or both parents have lost their job or taken a big pay cut. Where they have a mortgage they can no longer comfortably afford but do not have any equity in the house so they are stuck in it?

They can just about pay their mortgage, council tax, water rates, electricity and heating. They've already sold the car, cancelled the phone, cable, broadband and mobiles. Whatever else is left is needed for food. They have no leeway whatsoever.

I know a number of people in this exact situation. Some through failing businesses, some have taken pay cuts in order to save their jobs, other shave lost their job and found another one on a much lower salary. Their mortgage still needs paying, as do all their other bills. Some are defaulting on some of their bills as they just don't have the money to pay for it.

They could not pay £5 on an afternoon's entertainment, they just don't have it. Not in a £5 lump sum, not at 50p a week for 10 weeks. The money just isn't there.

Just take a look at the court records, see how many personal bankruptcies are happening each month in the UK. Those people don't have cash for luxuries and for everyone who is going bankrupt there are god knows how many people barely holding on. And countless more who are managing now but know that a .5% interest rate rise will wipe them out so they are saving like mad in the hope that they can bring their debt down enough to be able to service it once the rates rise.

I see where you are coming from, but still have to wonder. Surely if both parents have losts jobs and are claiming JS after a certain amount of weeks, the gov pays the interest on the mortgage. Also if they are both claiming JS, surely they would get their council tax paid for them? If they have a mortgaged house I know they wouldn't get HB.

As was suggested above by another poster though, if you were really that hard up, you would make an appointment and speak to the head at the school, this would surely stop any situations like this happening.

GracieP

janninew wrote: »

I see where you are coming from, but still have to wonder. Surely if both parents have losts jobs and are claiming JS after a certain amount of weeks, the gov pays the interest on the mortgage. Also if they are both claiming JS, surely they would get their council tax paid for them? If they have a mortgaged house I know they wouldn't get HB.

Well non of the people I know are on JSA, they have all found new work at a reduced income or are doing the same work at a reduced income. I do know however that mortgage interest payments are only for a limited period of time as are non means tested JSA payments, so if one parent is still working the other gets very little, maybe nothing. But that doesn't mean their bills are reduced especially if they got a mortgage based on their double salary.

Anyway, it appears on the 'money moral dilemma' thread that the school broke the law and the children should have seen the play. The only reason for them to be excluded according to the law is if it was by parent's request on religious/moral grounds.

pjcox2005

There are a lot of good intentions on this thread about a situation that must arise on a regular basis for schools and clubs that look to provide a service to all children. If you look at the charity boards you'll see people regularly trying to find ways of raising extra through sponsorship/funding etc as the parents can't afford to pay anymore.

Those good intentions regularly seem to be that the individual will have a whip round, happily pay more etc so the child wouldn't have missed out. So out of interest, how many people after reading this thread have made additional donations to support the local schools and clubs?

Rainey_LB

GracieP wrote: »

There was already a poster on this thread who wrote about having £10 left for the week and they were low on food.

What do you think happens in families where one or both parents have lost their job or taken a big pay cut. Where they have a mortgage they can no longer comfortably afford but do not have any equity in the house so they are stuck in it?

They can just about pay their mortgage, council tax, water rates, electricity and heating. They've already sold the car, cancelled the phone, cable, broadband and mobiles. Whatever else is left is needed for food. They have no leeway whatsoever.

I know a number of people in this exact situation. Some through failing businesses, some have taken pay cuts in order to save their jobs, other shave lost their job and found another one on a much lower salary. Their mortgage still needs paying, as do all their other bills. Some are defaulting on some of their bills as they just don't have the money to pay for it.

They could not pay £5 on an afternoon's entertainment, they just don't have it. Not in a £5 lump sum, not at 50p a week for 10 weeks. The money just isn't there.

Just take a look at the court records, see how many personal bankruptcies are happening each month in the UK. Those people don't have cash for luxuries and for everyone who is going bankrupt there are god knows how many people barely holding on. And countless more who are managing now but know that a .5% interest rate rise will wipe them out so they are saving like mad in the hope that they can bring their debt down enough to be able to service it once the rates rise.

I can see where you are coming from OH found himself out of work for a period last year, as I was still working we were only entitled to Child Tax Credits, which came no where near to bridging the gap with the mortgage etc, within a few months any money we had put aside was gone.

As we pay everything by Direct Debit, as soon as my wages and the CTC were going in they were getting swallowed up and we really had very little to live on and were actually considering selling out house. Thankfully, he found work after a few months and things are easier.

My sister-in-law on benefits in a council home has always had more cash in her pocket at the end of the week than we have, but we chose to buy a house so shouldn't complain. But don't think being on benefits should always be the qualifier as to whether you get help or not.

However, as far as schools are concerned people must speak up as they will help with trips if you are truly having difficulties.

mrbrightside842

andrealm wrote: »

When I was at school you didn't start learning times tables until 7 or 8.
My DD has just finished her nursery year and they are just learning to recognise numbers and count at that age.

The reception class I've been working in this year have been doing their 2, 3, 5 and ten times tables. The year two's (6/7) were up to their 8 and 9x.

Rainey_LB

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

The reception class I've been working in this year have been doing their 2, 3, 5 and ten times tables. The year two's (6/7) were up to their 8 and 9x.

You must have a very clever class

DaisyFlower

GracieP wrote: »

There was already a poster on this thread who wrote about having £10 left for the week and they were low on food.

What do you think happens in families where one or both parents have lost their job or taken a big pay cut. Where they have a mortgage they can no longer comfortably afford but do not have any equity in the house so they are stuck in it?

They can just about pay their mortgage, council tax, water rates, electricity and heating. They've already sold the car, cancelled the phone, cable, broadband and mobiles. Whatever else is left is needed for food. They have no leeway whatsoever.

I know a number of people in this exact situation. Some through failing businesses, some have taken pay cuts in order to save their jobs, other shave lost their job and found another one on a much lower salary. Their mortgage still needs paying, as do all their other bills. Some are defaulting on some of their bills as they just don't have the money to pay for it.

They could not pay £5 on an afternoon's entertainment, they just don't have it. Not in a £5 lump sum, not at 50p a week for 10 weeks. The money just isn't there.

Just take a look at the court records, see how many personal bankruptcies are happening each month in the UK. Those people don't have cash for luxuries and for everyone who is going bankrupt there are god knows how many people barely holding on. And countless more who are managing now but know that a .5% interest rate rise will wipe them out so they are saving like mad in the hope that they can bring their debt down enough to be able to service it once the rates rise.

The poster you refer to didnt pay as they had spent x amount on other things - not because they were on the poverty line. I would presume they paid the week of so after.

Those on JSA/IS are often far better off financially than those who work given the rent/mortgage, council tax, school dinners etc are paid for them plus they get an income each week from benefits.

I dont think there are truly that many people that cannot afford to pay for school things - the government provides plenty of support to those with no or little income. If they choose not to work then they are hardly in the position to complain that they need more money. Heads are usually always willing to accept instalments if need be.

Fang_3

GracieP wrote: »

There was already a poster on this thread who wrote about having £10 left for the week and they were low on food.

What do you think happens in families where one or both parents have lost their job or taken a big pay cut. Where they have a mortgage they can no longer comfortably afford but do not have any equity in the house so they are stuck in it?

They can just about pay their mortgage, council tax, water rates, electricity and heating. They've already sold the car, cancelled the phone, cable, broadband and mobiles. Whatever else is left is needed for food. They have no leeway whatsoever.

I know a number of people in this exact situation. Some through failing businesses, some have taken pay cuts in order to save their jobs, other shave lost their job and found another one on a much lower salary. Their mortgage still needs paying, as do all their other bills. Some are defaulting on some of their bills as they just don't have the money to pay for it.

They could not pay £5 on an afternoon's entertainment, they just don't have it. Not in a £5 lump sum, not at 50p a week for 10 weeks. The money just isn't there.

Just take a look at the court records, see how many personal bankruptcies are happening each month in the UK. Those people don't have cash for luxuries and for everyone who is going bankrupt there are god knows how many people barely holding on. And countless more who are managing now but know that a .5% interest rate rise will wipe them out so they are saving like mad in the hope that they can bring their debt down enough to be able to service it once the rates rise.

In that case they should speak to the school. Or if it's an expensive trip, they can't go on it. Simple. What you don't do is start shouting that you refuse to pay it in front of children, teachers and other parents.

meg72

Fang wrote: »

Spare me the communist hippy commune claptrap!

Oh dear Fang I so thank you for the best laugh I think I have had in years. I have just invited my other pensioner friends to view this post and they have all appreciated a good laugh as well.

I am a lifelong Conservative, Catholic lady who wouldnt have dared buck the system let alone parental disapproval to either be a communist or despite erotic thoughts live in a commune.

Talking thisiover with my pensioner friends we feel you are a sad bitter person who has not had much of life, maybe did not feel loved as a child, and as such we feel for you, but my own personal feeling is that perhaps you should grow up now and stop attention seeking in this negative way.

Best wishes Meg

Fang_3

meg72 wrote: »

Oh dear Fang I so thank you for the best laugh I think I have had in years. I have just invited my other pensioner friends to view this post and they have all appreciated a good laugh as well.

I am a lifelong Conservative, Catholic lady who wouldnt have dared buck the system let alone parental disapproval to either be a communist or despite erotic thoughts live in a commune.

Talking thisiover with my pensioner friends we feel you are a sad bitter person who has not had much of life, maybe did not feel loved as a child, and as such we feel for you, but my own personal feeling is that perhaps you should grow up now and stop attention seeking in this negative way.

Best wishes Meg

What full lives you must lead. Still, you're a long time dead.