iar fach goch Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 As some of you may have read in a previous thread, I have had 3 poorly boys this week. Eldest 2 went back to school today, and I informed headteacher that they would not be able to take part in today's swimming lesson because of perforated eardum and swollen knee. She said no problem, that the boys would accompany the others and sit and watch. When I went to pick them up ES said that I had forgotten to give him swimming money, but I reminded him that as neither of them were unable to take part, I didn't need to pay. Wrong! Apparently I am still expected to pay as they travelled on the bus and sat at the side of .the pool watching. OK, it's only £3, but I do begrudge paying for something they were unable to take part in. With ES it's a one off, but with MS he might be unable to swim for a while, until GP is satisfied that ear has healed. Is it me? As a good mummy I will pay, as I don't want ES to feel awkward again (even though I know I don't have to), but I really don't see why I should pay. Rant over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 seems a bit unfair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 I would begrudge it too, I would pay, for the same reasons you are, but I would begrudge it. Our school has a swimming pool so it never occured to me that the kids were charged for swimming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Well that sounds unfair to me too. I'd pay but I wouldn't like it one bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Well, how ridiculous! I too would probably pay just so, like you, my kids arnt embarrased, but i do think i would say something to the school, it is unfair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Seems unfair. Can they not make arrangements for him to sit in another class? Might be worth having a chat to the headteacher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 We didn't have to pay for our swimming. We (mother) would probably pay just to avoid it all. Anyone 'long term' off games/PE are allowed to go to the library to work at our school Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 If ours dont go then we have o pick them up which I really begrudge - they used to go to another class and be set work. Its like pusnishing them for being ill. Frankly I have a lot of gripes at present but wont hi jack a thread as I'd be here all day. But you have my support on this. Grossly unfair - falls off soapbox getting down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 I'm going to show my ignorance here: but this was in school time, not a school swimming club or wahtever...? In which case no, there's no way you should be expected to pay. I reckon is very iffy having to pay for any school lessons - even swimming lessons. What happened to free education? Is that normal to pay something toward more expensive lessons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Well the bus was going with or without them - they wouldn't get that money if they stayed at school or home and it hasn't made it more or less expensive for those swimming. I think they really are having a laugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachelk Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 I agree - I have paid just so I don't make the kids feel uncomfortable. I'm feeling jealous though, I have to pay £7 for my child to be taken from the village school to the local pool 7 miles away, for a half hour lesson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Well the bus was going with or without them - they wouldn't get that money if they stayed at school or home and it hasn't made it more or less expensive for those swimming. I think they really are having a laugh. Hmmm, but at our school the bus fee is split between the number of pupils travelling, so unless they all pay the others would have to pay more or the school has to stump up the difference. Same with the swimming trainers fee and/or the pool fees. Actually, we had to pay termly, so all this sort of thing was avoided if pupils couldn't go, which one of mine once couldn't as she was sick for several weeks. It was explained in a letter & we had to sign to agree that there would be no refunds if our child could not attend for any reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 That's a much better option all up front, done and dusted. Neither of ours had swimming lessons with the school. I took them after school - first at Fleet and then over to Alton which had the better teachers at that time and more spaces available, although it was more of a trek and heaven help me if we got stuck behind a tractor! By the time there was talk of swimming at school, it was decided that only those that couldn't swim that went. It really miffed my two because they would have liked to have been able to go too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iar fach goch Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share Posted January 28, 2010 Thanks for the replies guys, I was beginning to think that I was turning into a grumpy old woman, even if I am it's nice to know there are plenty of us on here to back each other up! Nochucksyet, feel free to hijack! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Ours pay even if they don't swim as the cost is for the hire of the bus, don't know why buses are so expensive it stops lots of trips as combined cost of bus plus the activity or visit is so high it is felt that it is too much to ask parents for especially for those with more than one child. Some staff argue that if a child is well enough to be in school they are well enough to do PE in any form, I don't agree with this Good luck, if it was me I think I would pay rather than make son feel awkward. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
