Reply back to the useless school...

"Rather than do this old tosh, and putting children into difficult situations of asking people for money for pointless charities, WHY DON'T YOU GET OFF YOUR ARSE AND TEACH THE KIDS THE GREEN CROSS CODE!"

twats.

TheBoy wrote on 03. Jun 2009 at 16:45:



A very simple and unambiguous statement which, in my view, sounds entirely reasonable

Firstly, a parental consent form should be forthcoming so that you can give/not give permission for your child to be out of school during the day.
As for the feeling of being forced into giving to a charity that you do not support, I would consult other parents to see if they feel the same (although if it's anything like my lads school, you will have had the letter the day before the event)
Each class should have a parent governor (but you know that Nick ), I would also have a word there.

In my wife's school, no one knows which child's parents contributed and which didn't, and I would hope that is the same in all schools.

In conclusion, it basically depends on how strongly you feel. If it's a minor irritation, I would live with it. But if you feel more strongly about it, then a letter to the head would be in order.

YOU CANT WIN.  You are either untrue to yourself or spoiling it for everyone else. Good luck

TheBoy wrote on 03. Jun 2009 at 19:37:

well the way the press portray most teachers they seem to be tree hugging hippies anyway 

STMO123 wrote on 03. Jun 2009 at 19:27:



Thanks for your comments, Steve and others.

The donations, such a they are, are not anonymous as sponsorship forms need to be filled in. The "event" will take place on-site (school field).

What annoyed me is that my daughter and her friend were quite convinced that they would be raising money for children who are injured in accidents. In fact, Brake just offer counselling and advice services, they don't lob money in the direction of those affected by road accidents.

Also, having had a long hard look at their website, they appear to be a pressure group, campaigning for £1000 fines for those that are up to five mph over a speed limit, lower general speed limits, a ban on hands-free phones and sat navs, etc, etc. Now, I'm not saying that any or all of these may not be worthy causes in the eyes of some, but this hardly adds up to a charity does it?

Incidentally, as a "charity" it gets about a million quid a year income and spends just over 500K on salaries (one employee gets over £60k p.a.).

This is one of the jobs they are currently advertising:

Are you a high-flying graduate with a passion for campaigning, fast and accurate research and writing skills, and great interpersonal skills? Do you have the ability to look at big documents and get to the heart of them, even when they contain complex text and statistics? Would you like the opportunity to liaise daily with a range of politicians, academics and practitioners on a key political topic? Are you passionate about working for a campaigning charity at the heart of its campaigns and information division?

Brake's Campaigns Intern Programme, lasting 10 months, enables you to work alongside our Head of Campaigns to forward our regional and national campaigns. Go to the campaign pages of www.brake.org.uk to find out more about our campaigns.

This is a varied role for someone who wants to work in a fast-paced campaigning environment where every day is different, and who has high standards of academic excellence, and superb research and communication skills. As part of the role you might be:

- liaising with MP, organising a meeting with civil servants, and providing politicians with statistics and data;

- writing a response to a Government consultation document on driver testing;

- doing a local radio interview about the need for a ban on all types of mobile phone use when driving;

- organising a press call in a community with an MP to demand slower speed limits.


See: http://www.brake.org.uk/index.php?p=1316

Should I be adding to their coffers?

I don't want my daughter to feel embarrassed, so I may end up sponsoring for a very small amount. As Steve, says, it's hard deciding what's more important: being true to my own beliefs, or keeping quiet for my daughter's sake. I may mention it to the class governor, as suggested.

Bottom line, if I were to get horrid, is that since they are a self-admitted political pressure group, they should not be promoted in any school as it would be in breach of the Education Act.   

If you choose to bite the bullet and contribute Nick, then I would suggest a meet with the parent governor. At this meeting you may suggest that kids these days are very astute and aware of their surroundings. As such, they are capable of choosing which charities they would like their school to support and should be allowed to have a say in any future events, WITHOUT assistance from pressure groups calling themselves charities.

To be fair to our school, money is usually used for the school or the PTA which goes to the school. Charity wise tends to be Red Nose Day and Pudsey Bear Day when they do 'things' to raise money which I am happy enough with.