broken window and school insurance

Amanda65

Another vote here for the parents to pay up and make the son pay them back. I would however want confirmation that the price was 'competitive' and that the school weren't claiming full amount on insurance.

I agree it was an 'accident' in that OP's son didn't deliberatey throw a stone at a window (as far as we are aware !). Had it been a football / cricket ball that had veered off course during a playtime I would expect the school to have taken a different view however throwing stones is not (should not be) a general pastime.

Bravehearted_2

BlueAngelCV wrote: »

I would send the invoice back. I don't think that they have any grounds to ask you to pay.

Yes the child was being irresponsible but £150 is a big price to pay for that.

They cannot charge the child as he is a minor so they are effectively trying to charge you as his parent. Except they were in loco parentis at the time not you so surely it is their responsibility.

This is just "one of those things" that schools need to deal with and they can't try and pass it off to the parents.

Really??? "One of those things"?

So if every child intentionally or accidentally causes (criminal) damage to public property - the school should just "deal" with it?

You come off unbelieveably unintelligent. It wasn't a mistake that he chose to throw stones - freaking dangerous by the way. And yes, I think you'll find that the school indeed has grounds to ask the parents to pay.

OP pay up - how can you even come on here looking to hear otherwise. This is one of those dirty laundry incidents you keep to yourself. Jeez, talk about endorsing what the kid did.

FatVonD

Am I the only person that doesn't think it was 'accidental'?? Why on earth would he be throwing stones at a wall?

Either way pay up and deduct a proportion from his pocket money depending on age.

VitaK

Where there more kids involved. If there was, you should speak to the school and ask how the cost have been split. Yes he may have thrown a stone, but he likely didnt do it alone and he may not have done it on hes own.

somethingcorporate

VitaK wrote: »

Where there more kids involved. If there was, you should speak to the school and ask how the cost have been split. Yes he may have thrown a stone, but he likely didnt do it alone and he may not have done it on hes own.

But he alone was the one that caused the damage.

VitaK

I agree that he alone threw the rock that broke the window. Im not so sure that he alone should be the one to get a slap on the wrist.

I was taught that if you take part in an activity that causes damage, then you also pay for the damages. Even if you are not the one doing the damage.

angelil

OP, the school having your family pay for the damage your son caused is as much a matter of school morale/setting an example for the other kids as it is a matter of financial recompense.

NOT saying your child would necessarily be like this, but there ARE children who would think they were the absolute bees' knees after getting away from an incident like this scot free. This changes their attitude in school and their attitude to the teachers (fact - I have seen this type of thing myself on several occasions where kids go completely unpunished and it makes the kids think they are gods), and makes other kids think that they too do not have to take school rules or their teachers seriously.

It is therefore highly detrimental on several levels, long-term and short-term, if your family does not accept that you have to pay for the damage caused.

Del_Astra

kitschkitty wrote: »

How old is he, becuase I think my response would be different depending on if he was 5 or 15.

Good post this is exactly what I was thinking as I read down the posts. TI could see a case where a 5 year old is copying others.

A 15 year old should know better.

balletshoes

going on the OP's other recent posts, the boy is 12 nearly 13.

Del_Astra

balletshoes wrote: »

going on the OP's other recent posts, the boy is 12 nearly 13.

Well IMO less likely to be accidental and more likely to be "stupidity" at best. The boy needs to learn to take responsibilty for his actions and the OP has the chance to do this. Nice long summer hol's, I'm sure grass cutting, car washing, odd jobs for family etc can see him make a dent into the repairs. Might even have to miss out on a few things with friends, cinema or something.