School Trip rip-offs : A DISGRACE

PabloNeruda

Well, I ain't paying. If others want to cover the cost, that's fine by me.

HalfPint

Hi,

These "voluntary contributions" are the bane of my life! Our school asks for these on each and every single occasion that something is organised for the kids. I'm all for helping the school and contribute in loads of ways like helping at the toy sale, xmas fair etc etc. BUT...I have 4 kids (alright one isnt of school age - yet) but when you multiply these contributions by 3 it works out very expensive - yet what to do, dont pay and feel guilty, especially if the "trip" is cancelled or pay and be short of money for a week . You just can't win! :mad:

rant over lol

Laura xx

alice's_mum

I dont think the school can be doing this to raise funds - it's not allowed. In my school we literally take the costs we are given from the museum etc - there will be some charge for use of "classroom facilities and instructors" even if entry is free (they have to make their money somehow)- and then add the cost of the coach on. Insurance is a set figure - which covers schools liability when off the premises. And we literally divide it by the number in the class. Their is no stealth money raising - if we don't get enough money to pay the coach we have had to in the past cancel trips, but usually our very generous PTA will provide us with the short fall from funds they have raised for our children. If you are sure they up to no good ask for a break down of the costs or check with the museum how much their "lecturer" is costing becuase it won't be cheap.

waster_2

pboae wrote:

There will be coach costs, parking costs, congestion charge, teacher's wages, insurance for teachers, helpers and children. Plus, although the museum itself is free, most museums charge for workshops etc for schools, typically a few pound per child. It can also sometimes work out cheaper to pay for coach hire than to pay the extra insurance premiums to use public transport. Then they have to add on a surcharge to cover the people who won't or can't pay. So if the trip is going to cost £10 per pupil, but they expect 1/3rd not to pay, they'll ask for £15.

Apart from the cost of the transport every thing else you mention would already be paid for by the school as part of their normal school budget and costs. Except of course the congestion charge which does not apply to PSV vehicles, so would not be payable by a coach.

The bottom line is that you do not need to pay for these trips but if nobody pays nobody goes. You cannot force payment and those who want their children to learn and to have the benefit of attending museums have to “subsidise” the free loaders (and I do not include those who cannot afford to pay in that terminolgy).

The problem is schools' do not know who will and who will not pay so they have to set the charge at a level where they know they can cover the costs, as the normal school budget is never sufficient to pay for such trips. Sad but true!!