Why Do Schools In the Uk Charge Parents For Term Time Activities - What Are the Costs?

This is important and useful information regarding school activities costs and charges to parents in the UK. School costs for activities in the UK are on the increase with school trips, competitions, non-uniform days, charitable events, fund-raising, sponsored activities and so on. The list is endless.

However, not many UK parents know that any activity that takes place during school hours in the UK should be 100% free, this includes trips to museums etc. This is why schools ask for 'voluntary' contributions when they dictate via letter what parents should be paying for a school day activity. See this government source for more details.

The source says this:

"Activities during school hours

When an activity is provided wholly or mainly during school hours, it should be free. This even includes activities that might cost the school money, like swimming lessons at a local pool or a museum visit.

Voluntary contributions

Head teachers or governing bodies may ask parents for a voluntary contribution towards the cost of:

• any activity which takes place during school hours
   
• school equipment
   
• school funds generally
   

The contribution must be genuinely voluntary, and the pupils of the parents who can’t or don’t want to contribute cannot be excluded from the activity.

Where there aren't enough voluntary contributions to make the activity possible, and there's no other way to get funds, then the activity must be canceled. "

The above guidance is of course contradictory. On one hand it says that all activities during school hours should be free but on the other it offers schools the chance to charge parents for activities...all be-it voluntary. However if the activity must be canceled due to lack of parent funding then it's not really voluntary ..or is it? What are your feelings about the cost of school activities in the UK?

Are the activities necessary? Do you feel some activities we could manage without or do you feel they make learning fun and are an essential part of education in the UK?

Let us know your thoughts.