Is the primary school skint??

[Damien Hart]

I know I may upset a few people with what I'm about to say but I'm fed up of being asked for money by Deddington Primary School.  My child comes home with one or two requests for money every week of varying amounts from £2 to £14. 
Surely I'm not the only person who wonders just how much all these things are really costing and where is the government funding going for things such as one request, raffle tickets to buy books for the school.

The last request was for £14 for a trip to Sulgrave Manor, I then have to supply lunch and also may like to give my child £2 to spend in the gift shop.  This comes only a week after being asked for £8 for a panto trip.  Together with a £2 contribution just in case they cook something in the year?? 
It just seems like there is something every other day!

I realise this may come across as me being miserable and tight (which isn't that far from the truth hee...hee...) but I just wondered if there was anyone else out there who also feels the same as I do.

[Thomasmcbride5]

bravo

[mikeward]

Damien - would be delighted to have a chat with you any time, and explain school funding to you. 
In summary, the Government provides absolutely no funding for trips.  Having built the school budget with the team over the last two years, I can tell you it is a struggle to balance the books, but the good news is that again this year we are managing to break even.  No, we are not skint, but we are faced with tough choices all the while.  Paying for high quality staff is obviously the first priority, but there are many other costs we have to cover.  The current worry is the fabric of an aging building (which we have to pay for out of school funds), and dealing with many day to day problems, like like thieves taking the lead off the roof.
As the Chair of Governors I do believe I need to explain the funding issues to the community in a more transparent manner, but email me if you want to discuss it further.  In summary, if parents dont pay for trips, they will not happen.  And I think you will agree that the kids get a huge amount of these events.

[Bouncy]

My understanding is that the Government only supply the money for the basics.

If it were not for the donations refered to here and the hard work done by the PTA, then thats all we would have...The Basics!

Of more concern is that trips etc have to be offered to the children as a group, regardless of wether their parents have paid. The concern is because there are a number of parents who find money very tight (on benefits ?) who somehow manage to find the money and yet there are a few others who could easily afford it who decline to pay. The result being that either the trip does'nt happen or (more frequently) those who do pay are subsidising those who chose not to pay.

Or at least thats what the playground gossip says!

Regards

[mikeward]

Very true - the school works very hard to try and ensure families who have financial problems are helped in any way possible.  Surely we should encourage inclusion, and try to help people who are struggling.
In summary, if a family can afford the trip costs, why not pay? 
By careful management by Mrs Tinsley and the Management team, the school is well funded by comparison with many others.  But the PTA contribution of over £12k last year, and some very generous personal donations help enormously.
Mike Ward

[Kevin Mayo]

How about having the option to either 'pay as you go' or a one off payment at the beginning of the year?

I think some parents are fully able to pay for the trips but just forget others genuinely can't afford it.

 I would prefer to pay £40 at the beginning of the year and then forget about it. If this lump sum were paid via the PTA (reg charity 1052715 ) then they could benefit from gift aid.
I can appreciate that it is hard to predict an accurate amount at the beginning of the year but I'm sure that previous years should be a pretty good guide. Also the gift aid will be an extra 25% and the PTA bank is benefiting from the interest so if the school do 'guess' incorrectly at £40 they are 'buffered' up to to £50.

Kevin