General Chat

My daughter is a single mum to my only grandson. Apart from having her maternity leave, she has never stopped working (although it is part time). She likes to "pay her way" and not sponge off the government like some people do. Not all, but I know quite a few who have no intention of working. She struggles to get by and often has to rob Peter to pay Paul, so is always chasing her tail. The most urgent gets paid first. Her ex-boyfriend in the 4 years I have know him has worked 4 jobs lasting from 1 day to 5 months. The last one was the longest, which he lost just after my grandson was born through lying to his boss about having to go home to help with his baby son. At the same time he was telling my daughter that he was finishing early because there was no work and had sent him home. That was over 3 years ago and he hasn't worked since. He claims job seekers allowance, but as far as I see is not "seeking work". My daughter does not get regular payments from him - she has to demand money if she is unable to buy shoes or something popping up out of the blue - like a dehumidifier because my grandson is now asthmatic! he is a waste of space. Even if he did get a job - he wouldn't keep it. (Moan over). So my daughter struggles on. My grandson has now started nursery and they had a trip to a farm a short while ago and she didn't have the money for him to go. I stepped in and paid the few pounds she needed much to my daughter's discust (she doesn't like handouts). Then when it came to the day, my grandson couldn't go because he was in hospital with an asthma attack! Sods law!

As for the fairness of school trips this is my feeling:- My mum had 5 children, however the years between were large enough for trip dates to vary so she could get the money together. But, I am a twin to my sister and she could never afford to pay for both of us. The way she got round it was to alternate who went on the next trip. We didn't like it, but it was that or not go on any. My mum worked two jobs to make ends meet (and that was with a husband working!) But she always found it if she could. Moving on, I had twins of my own. I used to dread trips coming up as having 3 children under 2 meant I had to give up work so money was tight for me. If I didn't have the money - they didn't go. I had a good relationship with the school and often they would let me pay for one and then pay for the other afterwards - if it were possible. Sometimes, depending on the trip. It was not. Fortunately, my girls were not demanding and understood when I told them I had no money left. I remember some of the mums who were told that there were not enough places for their child to go on the trip, and it was "first come, first serve". They didn't like that I could have two children on the same trip. They actually expected me to say no to one of them!

Things need to be done to help those who cannot pay in full.

Yes Ann Start Rite are still going. Eldest invariably gets her shoes from there as she prefers the styles to Clarks (though they are usually a tad more expensive) x

Can you still get Start rite? I wore those and Clarks (In the 40s/50s) And my two wore them as well (60s/70s) Well worth paying the extra to protect their feet. Then of course I undid all the good by wearing stiletto heels in my teens.

Same here. The girls have always had either Start Rite or Clarks...even during our real lean times. No doubt at some time in the future they'll stuff their feet into ill fitting fashion shoes...but at least I will be able to say I tried lol.

Youngests wide fitting Clarks shoes this September would've been a hell of lot cheaper than the £37 I paid without those pesky little dolls in the heel..grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....if only they hadn't been the ones that fit best !!!! x

"PS...my 11 yr olds school shoes with a wide fitting also cost over £40..but that's what you get child benefit for imho x"

Agree, my daughters cost around £35 from Clarkes this sept. She has a 40 minute walk each way to school, without the time on her feet during the day.

Always bought good quality shoes for both of mine, did cheap once for my son in yr7 which lasted a month. Never again. His last pair, lasted 18 months, although getting a bit scruffy, they would have lasted a further 6 months if his feet never grew - good old Clarks thick soled mens shoes:-D

To be perfectly frank DIzzi, the problem isn't in a lack of a grant..it's in the extortionate price of the uniform. I think if your daughter addressed that and kicked up enough of a stink by involving local and national papers then the price WOULD come down to an affordable level.

NO WAY would I pay that..it's daylight robbery.x

**edit** I'm sure a lot of the nationals would be interested in how an Academy school in your area is charging almost double what Eton is for their uniform. Quite happy to do it on your behalf if you send me details.

PS...my 11 yr olds school shoes with a wide fitting also cost over £40..but that's what you get child benefit for imho x

ONLY AVALIBLE FROM SPECILIST SHOP SHCOOL DONT HAVE ONE.
THE RUGBY KIT LETTER SENT 3 WEEKS AGO
ALL UNIFORM MUST BE WITH SCHOOL LOGO

SIZE 11 SHOES AND WIDE FEET CLARKS TYPE SUITABLE FOR SCHOOL OVER £40

OH FORGOT THERE NOT CALLED SCHOOLS ANYMORE ITS AN ACADAMY

ps

we had a list of uniform / PE items to buy around 3 months before both of mine started the school that September.

Thats normally adequate time to find the money

MENT TO ADD WILL PASS SITE ON TO DAUGHTER
THANKS

for our school boys rugby & PE kit 11 years +

from school shop

rugby top - house colours 40 in chest £18.50
Football/Hockey Socks From £2.50 a pair (also can be bought in high st stores)
logo shorts from £8
logo sports top (fred perry type) from £8

.................
from high st shops (If you go to sports direct)

shin guard £4 upwards
Gum shield - £3-4
football / hockey boots from £20 upwards & a pair of trainers £10 upwards for ordinary PE.
swim trunks can be bought in cheaper shops as also the socks
.........................
.
no more PE for my son 16 anymore :-D but for my daughter 12, its just the logo shorts/ FP type t shirt, trainers, white sports sock & long footie ones.
oh and a swimsuit :-)

MUFFY THANKS FOR THAT
LOOKED UP OUR AREA GRANTS FOR UNIFORMS
AND THIS IS IT
Grants
There are no school uniform grants. You could contact the school to find out whether they can assist with any secondhand uniforms, or whether they have uniform sales.

True Muffy .

Laddo just had to have new rugby shirt only available from one shop (have lodged my complaints about that) and he is a 34/36 inch chest adult medium and his was £25 even the adult large was same . wouldnt mind but hes in last year and only going to use it for a few weeks, he said the teacher would have them at end of year for spares oh no he wont I will sell it for a lot less to help some other family who cant afford the £25. £45 pound for a top is bad.

MY DAUGHTERS WORKING TAX BENFIT HAS JUST DROPPED TO £17 A MONTH FOR 2 CHILDREN ONE AT SECONDARY SCHOOL,SHE WORKS PART TIME AND GRANDSON BOUGHT A LETTER HOME SAYI NG HE NEEDED A FULL RUGBY KIT ONLY AVALI BLE IN ONE SHOP COST £130 AND IT WAS NEEDED THE NEXT WEEK

Dizzi they are NOT allowed to do that.

Have a read of this site. They're breaking many of the guidelines set out and need the book thrown at them.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_4016078

Regardless of his size...there will be year 11s as tall as him so they are being equally exploited.

If it's a council run school then you should be asking the reasons why their uniform costs are so extortionate...as Penny has shown...Eton charge less so there can be no justification for anyone paying that in a publically run school!!!

BY THE WAY GRANDSON WHO IS ONLY 12 IS A TALL STRAPPING LAD HE DONT FIT KIDS CLOTHES HES A ADULT LARGE SIZE T SHIRT ,THATS WHERE THE COST IS AND A SIZE 11 SHOE.HECK IF HIS FEET KEEP GROWING WHAT SIZE WILL HE BE BAD ENOUGH NOW FOR PRICES,
I REMEMBER WHEN MINE WERE LITTLE ALLWAYS TWO PAIR OF SHOES AT A TIME THEY ALLWAYS NEEDED THEM AT THE SAME TIME ,COULDNT GIVE ME A COUPLE OF MONTHS BETWEEN THEM TO SAVE UP,

£46 - That is outragious- well beyond the reach of many.

Presumaby a council run middle school , not a fee paying private one?

They are only £25 for blinkin Eton! Lol!

http://www.billingsandedmonds.co.uk/products/eton-rugger-vest/233/

If they're charging £46 for a logo shirt then they need to be reported to Trading Standards. That's obscene. I pay £7 for the logo shirt my daughter needs for high school..there's something seriously amiss there !

Dawn. I understand what you're saying...but I don't think a public body should behave in such an underhand manner. They don't need to say WHO is getting the funding..just that they are !...and parents can then give their own points of view on the situation.

Government money still comes from somewhere and it's only right that how it's spent should be accountable and up for debate x

SENIOR SCHOOL AND LAD IS 5FT 8IN AND 12YRS OLD

ONLY AVALIBLE FROM ONE SHOP
SCHOOL LOGO SHIRT WAS £46
SHORTS
SOCKS
TRACK SIUT
BOOTS

OH GUMSHIELD

Rugby kit being what? Rugger top, shorts socks & boots, for a middle school child cost £130.......How?

Muffy

Some parents dont like it broadcast that they are having to claim benefits and entitled to help and I have been in reception when someone went off because they didnt get what others did wasnt pleasant and that was over the government giving school money to pay for out of school activities which is why I suspect they do it , when we paid for trips it never occurred to me that some might not have to just paid what was asked for

School is really fair and will do whatever they can to help parents pay for any trips or equipment used in school.
We as a PTA were asked to help with costs of a whole school trip last christmas to keep costs right down as Head knew parents would find it difficult with the climate and being at that time of year. That is at priary school not sur e what would happen at secondary as Laddo dont give me letters about trips.

d x