School Non Uniform Days - Whatever next?

likabu_2

My sons school has a non uniform day on the last day of every term for 50p. So that's 6 a year.

What happens if you have 2 or 3 children at school, would you be expected to send in 2 or 3 old mobile phones?

Lisa

gyzmo

I get sick of these charity hijackings. My old employer used to try and force everyone to donate something virtually once a month to charity. And don't even get me started on Red Nose Day....

mpython

Thanks for all your replies. I was worried I was just being a grouch but I've obviously touched a nerve here.

I've emailed the school asking to see their 'non uniform day' policy, why there is only 1 payment method and why its compulsory.

I'm sure I can find some old phones from friends/ work/ family if need be; but its just the tone and expectation of their newletter that set me off. What will they expect next - old computers? old cars? plus, the emotional blackmail of using kids to get at their parent's money. I already give time & money to 4 different charities (actually 9 if I include the schools & sports clubs), I just don't like the pester power tactics employed in this particlaur scheme.

Sibelius

Sorry to hear of this situation. I am a teacher in a secondary school and think it is completely unreasonable. I very much doubt that every child will take in an old mobile. In my school this would lead to chaos and theft. So there will either be lots of kids in uniform or lots without uniform or a phone! Old phones can be worth a lot of cash. Were you told in a letter? The school legally cannot send your child home without your permission so you could always send them not in uniform anyway. I am always understanding when pupils explain to me they genuinely cannot afford the fee for these days. Good luck!

ShockingPink

Sibelius wrote:

Sorry to hear of this situation. I am a teacher in a secondary school and think it is completely unreasonable. I very much doubt that every child will take in an old mobile. In my school this would lead to chaos and theft. So there will either be lots of kids in uniform or lots without uniform or a phone! Old phones can be worth a lot of cash. Were you told in a letter? The school legally cannot send your child home without your permission so you could always send them not in uniform anyway. I am always understanding when pupils explain to me they genuinely cannot afford the fee for these days. Good luck!

Sounds as if you have a good attitude. But even if they can afford the "fee" for these days - why should they/their parents be forced to pay it?

PabloNeruda

mpython wrote:

Thanks for all your replies. I was worried I was just being a grouch but I've obviously touched a nerve here.

I've emailed the school asking to see their 'non uniform day' policy, why there is only 1 payment method and why its compulsory.

I'm sure I can find some old phones from friends/ work/ family if need be; but its just the tone and expectation of their newletter that set me off. What will they expect next - old computers? old cars? plus, the emotional blackmail of using kids to get at their parent's money. I already give time & money to 4 different charities (actually 9 if I include the schools & sports clubs), I just don't like the pester power tactics employed in this particlaur scheme.

Welcome to education under New Labour.
My daughter's secondary school are more interested in non-uniform days and other money-raising schemes than they are about the education of the pupils. She is in year 8 and do you know she has never been given a single text book or exercise book to bring home? Their version of learning now is C+P from the internet.
I fought tooth and nail to get her into this particular school and frankly it's utter garbage.

nej

Get your child to say they were mugged on the way to school for the mobile...

Sibelius

ShockingPink wrote:

Sounds as if you have a good attitude. But even if they can afford the "fee" for these days - why should they/their parents be forced to pay it?

Yes, sorry - 'fee' was the wrong word. It is meant to be a donation. I will definately bring this up at my school and suggest alternatives. I know coming from a family of 4 that if there had been these days when I was at school it would have been difficult.

soolin

What a cheek! Personally I would send a letter to the chair of governors explaining that you feel this 'charge' for non uniform days is excessive and penalises low income families, and those who might not have a spare mobile lying around (like the majority of us). Copy that letter to the head, and to the local education authority.

Also ask what the school policy is if a child cannot pay as they might just admit that they will do nothing.

With three children I found the whole 'bring in money every week for this or for that or for charity' got out of hand and in the end I wrote to the school and told them that I was no longer going to send money for non school items. I explained that I am in a payroll giving scheme where my chosen charitites get a tax benefit from my money and I thought that it was of no benefit to stop doing that and send in effect less money' on an ad hoc basis to the school.

I do still send in tins of beans when they have their bean collection weeks (although I never could fathom that one).

Soo

victory

in our school it is £1 donation for jeans day, non uniform day and every other day it seems to me but it has not been hand in a mobile day...if you have not got one damn cheek to ask for one...do what the OP said say he lost it!! xx