Would it be wrong to only pay half of DS school trip cost?

[Shirtbuttons26]

DS is going on a school trip. Its costing 45.00. Would it be wrong if I only paid 20.00 /25.00? I am on a low income and I'm juggling things a bit at the moment. I have another child at the school as well so I have been paying out for 2 children.

The school rang me saying i need to pay by tomorrow.

It does say contribution but I feel wrong for even thinking about it.

He has autism, learning difficulties and language disorder..

@PyongyangKipperbang
NHS Gloucestershire:
When they are different: A student might have "additional needs" requiring temporary catch-up sessions in school, but they do not have an underlying impairment that classifies them as disabled. Conversely, someone with an episodic chronic illness (like arthritis or epilepsy) or a disfigurement is legally disabled but may not require daily "additional needs" support.

. Not all SENs are impairments, some are positive but need extra provision.

We have absolutely cancelled trips if we’ve not had enough contributions. School budgets are pushed to the max now, every TA who leaves isn’t replaced as we’ve got no money.

@Shirtbuttons26 So he'd have an EHCP and the school would be aware of his needs. They would understand.

45 is a lot if you’re struggling a bit. I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all to mail the school and say you are contributing x amount but unfortunately can’t afford more at the moment.Do that OP and don’t feel bad.

Usually pupil premium don't pay the full amount anyway. Our letters always state the full cost and then the cost for pupil premium which is half.

He has autism, learning difficulties and language disorder..

ETA and three of my kids are officially gifted, that costs A LOT. They need more and that isnt free or cheap. In fact in many ways they cost more individually more than my eldest who has CP.

If £45 for a school trip isn’t affordable, on what basis did you have a 2nd child? I’m always really confused by posts like this, since having children is generally expensive, is it just an ongoing assumption that society at large will front the costs? Utterly bizarre to me, who stopped at one child as that is what our family could afford to cover the cost of.

Schools get extra funding for kids whose parents are on UC and it's to cover things like this to give all kids an equal chance.

Because no one plans to have a child with disabilities.

ETA or indeed, rarely plan to become a single parent.

Have you given permission for them to go on the trip yet? I wonder if they are contacting you because they need to know if your child is going. If they have an EHCP, the school would need to send a 1:1 for them. This would need arranging and including in the risk assessment- which has to be completed a few days before the trip.

Before anyone comments that they would have funding for 1:1, they are highly unlikely to have funding for a full time person so this person needs to know in advance.

Seems an odd thing to ask 🤔

It's not my special needs child going. He just got brought into it because i was asked if i work. And I said no. I have a child with special needs.

Your goady post makes you looks really dim.
Have you never heard of people's circumstances changing? Illness, unemployment, care giving responsibilities?

Thankfully we live in a society that supports people who are unable to work.

the hypocrisy of MN never ceases to amaze me
£1 for a family on UC to go to the zoo - well that’s fair, why should children miss out, are you jealous and bitter?
Cant afford a school trip - you need to economise, have you had your nails done? why should you pay less than others

I think it's more that people will tie themselves in knots JUST to disagree with an OP or make an OP feel even worse about a difficult situation.

Why is it hypocritical to say that you should prioritise paying for your child’s school trip over getting your nails done?

Um don’t knowwhat world you live in but 45 pounds for what I’m presuming is a day trip will be a sizeable amount for lots of families.

Email the school. My daughter has residential next week which is £245 for 48 hours! I said I was struggling to pay and they halved it.

£45 is too much for a day trip.

If you can't afford it I think it's fine. However if too many parents can't it might be cancelled. Happened in my one of my children's school a few times where all the parents signed their children up but then couldn't/wouldn't pay so no one went.

Some quite well off people don't pay apparently if its voluntary contributions. . This is really annoying. I think either everybody pays or no trip. Too many cf's around.

I have never had my nails done. I don't smoke or drink. I have not been to a hair dresser in over 8 years.

Well then pay for your own zoo entry if we are putting our families cost over ourselves

I’ve got no axe to grind, very fortunate to have never been in this position, just think it should he consistent