Our school CHARGED our kids for extra playtime – we were made to feel like beggars

PARENTS are outraged they were asked for money for their kids to have extra playtime at school.

Newton Primary School in Rainham, in Essex, sent a note to parents on Tuesday asking parents to bring in two one-pound coins in exchange for 22 minutes of extra playtime and a non-uniform day.

The letter stated: “No £2, no 22 minutes of fun” and was aimed to mark the date 22.02.2022.

It has been labelled as another “ridiculous” fundraising attempt by the school.

One parent with four children at the school, who requested anonymity, said she had handed over £40 for money-raising efforts in December alone. 

He told the Romford Recorder: “These events are coming in seven times a month, they are becoming dearer and dearer.”

The man explained it puts parents like his partner in a difficult postion.

He said: “[She’s] a mum on benefits in the middle of winter, has two choices, she puts the kids in and pays the money or she feeds and warms the flat. 

“The cost of living is just going up and up and up and the school just seem to want us to fund their shortfalls.” 

He said they kept the kids home from school on Tuesday and knew of another family forced to do the same.

The couple were invited to the school to discuss the issue but he feels awkward about it.

The man said: “As far as we are concerned, it feels like we have got to go in and beg them.”

Hayley McClenaghan, executive headteacher at the school, said taking part was not compulsory.   

She said it had been at the request of parents the school had introduced more fundraising events.

Ms McClenaghan said: “Any parent who has financial difficulties can ask for support, if they wish, and we can cover their costs. We have asked them to come and speak to us. 

“This week’s event was a non-uniform day and we asked parents to contribute £2 per child, which raised £500 for the school fund.”