Schools demanding money with menaces

jackieblack

http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/advice/f00213976/school-charging

Ask to see the school's Charging & Remissions Policy

moomoomama27

I don't get this attitude! It's for your child's education! Their everyday learning is free ( unless you choose private education), does a few quid every so often have to be so resented! I work in a school, it's a shame that the vast majority of parents have this attitude, and my children's school do give plenty of notice for day trips ( at least 2 months) and 6 months plus for residentials!

valk_scot

Person_one wrote: »

What a shame. Small school trips to local places can be really beneficial. I think I'd be asking the school why they aren't being a bit more imaginative and why they're never taking them out of the classroom!

Yes, I agree with this. It can really bring a subject alive for kids if they get out there and actually see the relevance of what they're being taught.

I expect for some schools though it boils down to budget. Most schools don't have the cash to spare for this sort of thing and if the majority of parents either can't or won't give even a modest contribution to cover the cost of the transport and any entrance fee then basically, the school can't take the kids and have to do alternative activities in class instead. Which will still be adequate re education and exam passes I expect but there will be a lack of one of the the sparks that really sets a subject alive for the kids. Which is why I feel that if it's possible, we parents should encourage these trips as far as possible, especially if we're only talking about £3 for the coach hire, like the last trip DD went on. (Local geography trip to look at geological formations.) After all if these trips vanish off the curriculum everyone loses out, including your child.

It's difficult to think of a school trip costing £300 which is compulsory to the curriculum not being flagged up well in advance, however. Usually in the course booklet which comes out at course choice time?

valk_scot

Aimless wrote: »

Funnily enough, we've just had the field trip letter too, with about 2 weeks notice. The difference is, ours had no demand for money! I'm assuming as it's part of the GCSE, the school are covering it? The long list of demands on the other hand is a pain, we don't have hiking boots, waterproofs, etc. I used to lend him whoevers would fit, but he's outgrown everyone.

Our county Outdoor Education department can usually provide these for loan, given enough notice to the school. No chance at your's?

Otherwise, try Sports Direct, they have Karrimor boots at a really good price, under £25 for adults and they go up to a size 13. I've only just gritted my teeth and bought DS
a pair of all-singing-all-dancing hiking boots at an eye watering price but I'm pretty sure his feet have stopped growing now at size 12! Before that it was a new pair of Karrimors every year as duel purpose walking boots and snow boots.

balletshoes

My DD is year 7 and has had no class trips this school year. i just assume its more a primary school thing.
i can only remember one school trip during the school day in high school, geography.

the lack of notice thing at primary school used to irritate me as well. but if its just a few pounds and you can afford it i,d just pay it ~ not worth making a song and dance about it.

a 300 pound compulsory trip just wouldnt happen at my daughters schools, the schools wouldnt even consider organising it ~ too expensive.

DCodd

moomoomama27 wrote: »

I don't get this attitude! It's for your child's education!You've already paid for Their everyday learning

Corrected that for you there.

CH27

moomoomama27 wrote: »

I don't get this attitude! It's for your child's education! Their everyday learning is free ( unless you choose private education), does a few quid every so often have to be so resented! I work in a school, it's a shame that the vast majority of parents have this attitude, and my children's school do give plenty of notice for day trips ( at least 2 months) and 6 months plus for residentials!

There are a lot of people struggling to feed their children & pay the bills.
School trips are low down on the priority list for some.

Kayalana99

moomoomama27 wrote: »

I don't get this attitude! It's for your child's education! Their everyday learning is free ( unless you choose private education), does a few quid every so often have to be so resented! I work in a school, it's a shame that the vast majority of parents have this attitude, and my children's school do give plenty of notice for day trips ( at least 2 months) and 6 months plus for residentials!

I think this post is complety irrelevant as its more about the notice period and the style the letter was sent...as you said ..your school gives at least 2months notice which is a reasonable time. :cool:

And agree with above poster..education is not 'free'

Schools can take the p*ss abit as well. My 2nd school forced every child to wear a blazer for £50 which could only be brought from the school shop..kid needs a jumper? £25...only from the school shop. Dinner meals were supposed to be subsidsed put I paid more for my meal thier then I do where I work now...it was not restraunt prices but it certainly was priced to make a decent profit (plus thier recieving money for making it cheaper for students..hmm). I know its for a childs education but thats what taxes are for ...and fair enough do fund raises and things to help out abit but forcing parents into paying for things is just wrong in my opinion (although I am not be grudging school trips as I do think these are worth while)

If we forgot our tie we had to pay 50p for a 'paper tie' and if we didnt have 50p they would take it off our dinner cards (or put it in minus so to speak..)

Treevo

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I think this post is complety irrelevant as its more about the notice period and the style the letter was sent...as you said ..your school gives at least 2months notice which is a reasonable time. :cool:

And agree with above poster..education is not 'free'

Nor widespread.

Hezzawithkids

duchy wrote: »

Odds are you kid has known about this trip for ages and didn't bother mentioning it if it's a compulsory part of a course.

It's "only a few pounds" and you are implying that you can afford it (and if you can't the school will have a fund for it) .

Your post just reads like you are trying to pick a fight TBH.
"Demanding money with menaces" <snort> Are you always such a drama lama ?

A bit uncalled for I think. I'm not trying to pick a fight with the school, I'm suggesting they treat parents with a but more respect especially when they are asking us for money to fund the curriculum.