Parents are facing more bills for school

PARENTS ARE concerned about the rising cost of sending their child to a state school, with many worried about increasing prices of uniforms, dinners and trips, according to a survey.

It also indicates mothers and fathers are increasingly contributing towards the running of their youngster’s school, with some helping with maintenance, such as redecorating classrooms, or supplying essentials such as toilet paper.

Overall, the PTA UK poll found just over half of parents said they were concerned about the cost of sending children to school.

A survey conducted by the charity last year found 47 per cent of mothers and fathers were concerned about this.

Almost eight in 10 of those surveyed this year agreed the cost of sending youngsters to school is increasing, compared to 72 per cent last year.

Half of those polled this year said they were concerned about the price of school trips, making it the top cost parents are anxious about, followed by uniform (48 per cent), school meals (23 per cent), technology, such as computers and internet access (22 per cent) and the cost of materials for classes such as music, art and PE (20 per cent).

The survey also found about a third (34 per cent) of parents say they have donated to their child’s school fund this year, compared to 29 per cent who said the same last year.

About one in four (26 per cent) said they give between £10 and £30 a month while 50 per cent said they give less than £10 a month.

The findings come amid continuing concerns from school leaders about a squeeze on budgets.

Education Secretary Justine Greening has announced an extra £1.3bn will be found for schools from existing budgets, although some unions have suggested this will not be enough to plug funding gaps.

PTA UK acting chief executive Michelle Doyle Wildman said: “Parents have always contributed to schools, whether that’s through voluntary contributions, via their PTA or by volunteering their time or skills, and this looks likely to continue.

“Their support helps give every child the best possible educational experience and so it’s important parents have a say in what goes on in their child’s school.

“Parents are reporting that they are contributing more to provide the essentials which many expect to be provided by the state.”

The Family Fun Festival’s director, Cathy McConaghy, is pictured yesterday at Newby Hall, Ripon, with huge model dinosaurs at the opening of the event which will feature street food. It will run today and tomorrow and will also include an outdoor cinema.