Voluntary contribution towards school trips

FatVonD

Every school my son has attended has made it clear there is a contingency fund so no child misses out on trips if their parents can't afford it, I've always assumed it was money made by the PTA.

shortdog

balletshoes wrote: »

at our primary school, if you don't pay you don't go, you stay at school with another class/teacher. Any time there is a trip organised in the school day, for whatever educational reason, we are asked to contribute, and we are asked if we want our child to attend. I personally don't know any parent at our school who would expect their child to attend if they couldn't afford to contribute to it. I don't think theres been a whole class trip anywhere where every child has gone, in 7 years of primary school with my DD's year.

Our school is the same - if you don't pay, the kids don't go.

I suppose the problem with voluntary contributions is that first time, parent A is struggling, so gets the trip subsidised. Next time, parents B, C and D decide that why should they struggle, because parent A didn't have to pay last time, so they get the trip subsidised. Before long, you've got 3/4 of the school not paying, becuase why should they if no-one else is, at which point the school stops running trips, and everyone misses out.

I did the opposite this year, paid for both mine to go on the trip, then my son ended up having the day off sick, £8 down the drain!

meer53

My daughters school trips always are "voluntary" contributions. We usually get at least 3 or 4 weeks notice of the trip and how much it will be. The most expensive one this year so far will be £28 which is for a trip to Alton Towers. Whilst i think it's expensive for a school trip, i would manage to find the money if i didn't have it as i want her to go with her school friends (plus it is much cheaper than us going as a family !) Trips are usually between £7 and £12, not much to find really if you try. How much is your trip OP ?

My daughters school organised a skiing trip last year to Colorado, it was £1400 ! Needless to say she didn't even bother asking if she could go ! I have agreed for her to go on a skiing trip next year though when she will be at high school which is £825. I will be asking for contributions from her Daddy ! Lots of overtime for me !

SamW

Hi OP!
Just wanted to let you know my school's view on this -

Schools are not allowed to exclude children from school trips if the family cannot pay for it (with the possible exception of PGL/residentials, but even then there should be funds available). ANY contribution is voluntary and as policy in our school, we always base any calculations on the fact that at least 10% of the year group will either not pay or not be able to pay for the trip. As long as there is a consent form - the child should go.

Go to see the headteacher, explain the position your family is in, how what the teacher has said has made you feel and how you know that you cannot be forced to pay. If anything gets said to that, ask for the contact details for the Chair of Governors, failing that, contact the local authority to discuss the matter with the Chief of Education/Schools there.

Hope this helps!
S x

thegirlintheattic

Depends if it is a educational trip or not. In our school those field trips that are purely educational ask for contributions but if you don't pay because you can't afford it there is a fund to pay it. If it's more of a jolly or optional visit then you have to pay or not go.

Seeing as most trips are only £5-10, I don't see the problem and have only ever had 1 child who couldn't pay.

carolan78

DD's school trips in year 1 only cost between £5 and £10. We get notice so I just adjust the budget to accommodate the payment.

gingin_2

carolan78 wrote: »

DD's school trips in year 1 only cost between £5 and £10. We get notice so I just adjust the budget to accommodate the payment.

Yes. Other than one residential trip, I have never had a school trip cost more than £10.

POPPYOSCAR

This has always been a bugbear with me.

Why call it 'voluntary' and then demand payment. Someone at this school(and others) need an english lesson!!

I would write a letter to the head and if you still get no joy escalate your complaint to the governors and then the education department if necessary.

Good luck.

Wicked_witch

I don't have any direct advice for you OP, but I'd like to point out that it is perfectly possible for a family NOT to be able to simply find £5 or £10 in the budget. When my son was young, we had a couple of years where my husband couldn't get a job due to disability and the hangover from the last recession and we were absolutely on a shoestring. The only reason my son was able to go on school trips- or have decent school shoes even- was that my parents were able to help out with those things. So let's not assume this is just the OP being bad with money or unwilling to sacrifice for her kids please.

Mado

azzabazza wrote: »

This fund consisted of an allowance from the local authority and funds raised through fund-raising.

I think you must seek an appointment with the headteacher or other member of senior management in the school to resolve this situation.

unless things are very different where you are, there is strictly no LEA contribution to the school discretionary fund.
Ours is mostly funded through parental donations and lettings of the school premises.
The teacher was wrong to talk in front of the kids and you should at least make it known to the head teacher as this is not acceptable.
The school can't exclude one child for non payment and must be prepared to engage with you. However, school trips can be cancelled if funding can't be met