That time of year again! Back2schoolcosts

evolving_doors

Reading the usual 'whip into a frenzy' article during the silly season in the indo...

Woman claims that her son's junior infants books will be up to €200 euro and uniform will be more than €200.

Maybe it's just my kids school but their books come to €55 and uniform (PE and formal) comes to about €60.

Am I missing something? €400 vs €110

Bells21

I was wondering this earlier as I was listening to the radio. They gave an estimated average cost of 1200 per child for back to school costs. Now I understand that secondary school costs can be quite high, but I think most schools have made moves towards book rental schemes and generic uniforms.
I know our school(primary) has a book rental scheme which comes in at €60. The school are now selling the crests separately for parents to attach to the jumper, these come in at a few euro. The uniform was recently changed to a generic skirt/pinafore and the PE kit to a generic navy tracksuit and a polo shirt. These have been on sale for 2/2.50 each in some stores.
Shoes/runners, coat and a school bag and that's the majority of costs sorted.

Moonbeam

Our uniform is expensive but lasts well though the cardigans are scratchy!
http://www.uniformwarehouse.ie/ is where we get it.
It is
€102.50 for 1 track suit,1 Jumper and 1 pinafore/skirt.
I think the JI book list was 135 but I need to check that as I have 3 in the school this year.

byhookorbycrook

So children wouldn't have lunch, runners, a coat or activities outside of school then- as these are just some of the items in the so called back to school expenses? And if parents would label children's property better, it would help too. There are always the best of school jumpers, coats and even runners left unclaimed in ours each year.

I think starting secondary can be quite expensive, but the primary figure is way off.

gabsdot40

I pay €180 to my child's primary school. That covers books, copies, stationery, school tours, swimming,etc.
They don't ask for any other money during the year at all.
My other child is in secondary school. I'll pay €100 book rental, €100 resource and I'll buy his stationery.
No uniform for either child.
Very affordable for both kids.

Mink

Yeah sounds very steep.

Son starting JI:

Uniform (2 crested jumpers, rest of stuff from M&S & 2nd hand jumpers as spares): 98
Books/stationary/payment to school for arts, insurance, photocopying etc: 91
Bag/runners/lunch box etc: 38

Grand total: 227 (Bear in my mind this is my first going to school so I probably went overboard on uniform bits)

Owryan

School uniform with embroidered crest: €45 for jumper, trousers n shirt generic grey ones

School tracksuit, again embroidered: €60, plain white polo shirts.

Then shoes n runners.

School book rental €50 per child, I have 3.

Voluntary contribution for arts n stuff, another €50 per child.

That's before costs such as swimming, music, gym are added in, all of which are mandatory.

What pissed me off no end is the school is deis and caters for a lot of less well off areas. Yet the school insists on expensive embroidered uniforms even after 2 meetings in the last year voting to get rid of them.

Unluckily for me non of last year's school stuff is fit to hand down so gonna be a rough few months

teaontap

It's going to cost me about 300 in total between uniform (including crested jumper, crested tracksuit, crested polo shirt, plaid pinafore that can't be bought in general shops), shoes, runners, book rental, insurance and that's with me buying only one of each piece of uniform. I'm probably going to need more and then there's the activities and tours and "voluntary" donation that will be needed on top of that. That's one JI child. It's crazy!

byhookorbycrook

I'd raise the issue of crested items with the parent's council. We have sew on crests. The tracksuit is a sweatshirt and any plain black legs.

Owryan

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

I'd raise the issue of crested items with the parent's council. We have sew on crests. The tracksuit is a sweatshirt and any plain black legs.

Topic has been raised several times and is just ignored. The school want the kids to look well and it presents a certain image of the school in the area.

I think because the school catchment area is "disadvantaged" the school is fixated on portraying itself as being above the area.

echo beach

Owryan wrote: »

Topic has been raised several times and is just ignored. The school want the kids to look well and it presents a certain image of the school in the area.

The kids will look just as well in generic uniforms with a sew on crest. If the management ignores the patents' wishes then maybe it is time for the parents to start ignoring the management and bring their children in without fancy crested jumpers and tracksuits. If the majority are willing to do this then the school can't send all the kids home.

byhookorbycrook

echo beach wrote: »

The kids will look just as well in generic uniforms with a sew on crest. If the management ignores the patents' wishes then maybe it is time for the parents to start ignoring the management and bring their children in without fancy crested jumpers and tracksuits. If the majority are willing to do this then the school can't send all the kids home.

There are better ways to do this . Get your PA involved , hold a vote , then approach the BOM.

Bells21

Back in April the Minister for Education announced that a new circular in relation to school uniforms was to be introduced. In this generic uniforms rather than branded uniforms (where possible) were to be introduced, only iron on or sew on crests were to be used, provide a book rental scheme and to provide parents with outlines of costs and where items can be purchased.
If schools haven't already adopted parts or all of these policies already, then it looks like they will have no choice once the circular comes into affect.

echo beach

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

There are better ways to do this . Get your PA involved , hold a vote , then approach the BOM.

OP says they have already voted twice and the verdict was ignored. I would prefer a more low-key approach but there are times when direct action is needed.

silverharp

1st year 300-400 euro on books, art materials and recommended stationary

byhookorbycrook

echo beach wrote: »

OP says they have already voted twice and the verdict was ignored. I would prefer a more low-key approach but there are times when direct action is needed.

I'd be interested in knowing if the voting was done correctly and if feedback was given as to why it was ignored.
If the vast majority of parents did an official " no vote", I'd be taking it up with the BOM.

Gatling

We paid 150 for junior enfants books last year and 150 for 2nd class and 120 for 2 tracksuits ,
Reusing lasts years bags and pencil cases and lunch boxes ,
The same for coats ,
Runners get a bit pricey for us as my two both have flat feet so need decent running shoes with supports .

Don't see the need to buy new branded products such as bags and coats if they don't actually need replacing

Owryan

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

I'd be interested in knowing if the voting was done correctly and if feedback was given as to why it was ignored.
If the vast majority of parents did an official " no vote", I'd be taking it up with the BOM.

The last meeting, or agm or whatever it is called, about 50 parents were there. The principal, a priest and I assume parents rep were there. There was a vote on whether or not the embroidered uniforms be replaced by generics. From memory everyone voted in favour of generic uniforms. Principal said they board would discuss it.

Last school week letter goes out listing what is needed for next school year. Embroidered uniforms still on the list. Parents who questioned this were told it was a board decision.

That's the story. Oh yeah. It was mentioned that that kids who turned up not wearing the designated uniform would be reprimanded. Way out of line since most kids have no say about this.

meeeeh

Branded jumpers and tracksuit tops will be around 100 Euro for two of them. I'm getting the rest of stuff in M&S. I'm guessing it will be another 100 euro. Shoes again from about 40/50 per pair because I don't like plastic shoes. Books for both (2nd class and JI) will be 130 euro, the rest they will get in school. Stationary will be probably another 70 euro. I can't remember how much is the contribution in school. I'm spending about 60 euro including delivery for a school bag. The older one has same type and after three years it is still perfect so they are good value. They also need new runners. It will be over 600 euro for two in primary school which is a lot cheaper than childcare or gaa fees, jersey, tracksuit and other equipment.

byhookorbycrook

Owryan wrote: »

The last meeting, or agm or whatever it is called, about 50 parents were there. The principal, a priest and I assume parents rep were there. There was a vote on whether or not the embroidered uniforms be replaced by generics. From memory everyone voted in favour of generic uniforms. Principal said they board would discuss it.

Last school week letter goes out listing what is needed for next school year. Embroidered uniforms still on the list. Parents who questioned this were told it was a board decision.

That's the story. Oh yeah. It was mentioned that that kids who turned up not wearing the designated uniform would be reprimanded. Way out of line since most kids have no say about this.

50 out of how many, though?I'm not nit-picking by the way, I'm all for sew on crests and keeping costs way down. I don't think making children go in to school where they may be reprimanded is the way to go, heaven knows some of them have enough to be doing.

teaontap

I've seen on facebook that there's a place here locally that will embroider a school crest onto a generic jumper. Still not as good as just having the plain jumper but saves me nearly €20 so I'll be using them for the additional jumpers. Could be worth checking out with local businesses that do embroidery.

Owryan

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

50 out of how many, though?I'm not nit-picking by the way, I'm all for sew on crests and keeping costs way down. I don't think making children go in to school where they may be reprimanded is the way to go, heaven knows some of them have enough to be doing.

Probably 200 kids in the school.

The school is in every other respect great, kids love and the teachers are amazing. But on this one issue the school just will not budge.

byhookorbycrook

Owryan wrote: »

Probably 200 kids in the school.

The school is in every other respect great, kids love and the teachers are amazing. But on this one issue the school just will not budge.

Do you know if there was a survey done recently - say in the last 3 years -on the uniform ? All primary schools were supposed to survey the parents.

It's something I think should be revisited .

In any case , the media hysteria on back to school costs is not remotely close to the cost for most primary schools . Children still have to have a coat , shoes: runners - but you'd swear they only need them for school !

Owryan

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Do you know if there was a survey done recently - say in the last 3 years -on the uniform ? All primary schools were supposed to survey the parents.

It's something I think should be revisited .

In any case , the media hysteria on back to school costs is not remotely close to the cost for most primary schools . Children still have to have a coat , shoes: runners - but you'd swear they only need them for school !

That im not sure of i.e. the survey.

True about the costs. I also love how they lump together a years driving and make it look as if its solely for the school runs. Then they say it costs xyz amount for school lunches as if they wouldnt be getting fed at home.

wirelessdude01

byhookorbycrook wrote:

In any case , the media hysteria on back to school costs is not remotely close to the cost for most primary schools . Children still have to have a coat , shoes: runners - but you'd swear they only need them for school !

Or that children have no lunch while they are at home. Some money could be saved on lunches anyway if parents cut back on the amount of junk put into their children's lunch boxes. Some of the stuff I see is horrendous.

bringupthebook

I think it will be about €220 for my junior infant this year. We have a crested jumper but it's €20 for my sons size - hard to believe some are twice that price!

teaontap

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

D

In any case , the media hysteria on back to school costs is not remotely close to the cost for most primary schools . Children still have to have a coat , shoes: runners - but you'd swear they only need them for school !

I agree with this to a certain extent but for me, my child doesn't need black velcro shoes for normal wear but needs them for school along with the shoes she would normally have for casual wear. We also have to have velcro runners which she currently doesn't own a pair of because she wants to learn to tie her own shoes but velcro is mandatory until she can tie them herself.
There is pressure to have the crested coat but I won't be giving in to that, but there are some parents who will feel they need to as it is offered as part of the uniform. In almost 5 years I've bought one coat for her, the rest have been passed on from her older cousin all in perfect condition and they then get passed on to a younger child I know. If only the kids were all at the same school I'd be sorted with the uniform too haha.

minikin

Little'un is going in to 2nd class.
Book rental scheme is €125.

Seems very high considering the scheme was set up, by the department, to reduce the cost of school books to about 25% of the purchase price (as they're to be re-used for between four and six years).
Could it be the "voluntary" contribution by the back door?

byhookorbycrook

minikin wrote: »

Little'un is going in to 2nd class.
Book rental scheme is €125.

Seems very high considering the scheme was set up, by the department, to reduce the cost of school books to about 25% of the purchase price (as they're to be re-used for between four and six years).
Could it be the "voluntary" contribution by the back door?

The DES didn't set up any schemes, our school got nothing whatsoever to help with the rental scheme.

minikin

You're right of course, I did not mean that the department sets up each individual book rental scheme - rather they set up and produced guidelines for the overall scheme in principle. Link to their guidelines document:

https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Textbook-Rental-Schemes-in-Schools/Guidelines-for-Developing-Textbook-Rental-Schemes-in-Schools.pdf

The point of my post was that the intention of the scheme, according to the department, was to reduce the costs involved (quoting Minister Quinn in his foreword):

buying textbooks is a very significant cost for parents and I believe that textbook rental schemes are one practical way in which this cost can be reduced greatly

I'm just querying the €125 RENTAL cost, when compared to the purchase price of the books involved. Looks like the spirit of the scheme is being abused by schools, when they make it mandatory.

wirelessdude01

How is book rental mandatory? Surely you have the option to just buy the books yourself from a book shop? Bet that cost would be more than what the school is charging.

evolving_doors

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

How is book rental mandatory? Surely you have the option to just buy the books yourself from a book shop? Bet that cost would be more than what the school is charging.

Depends on the school and their booklist.... but our 2nd class cost about €60 for all the books (copybooks are separate)!! Got em online.

minikin

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

How is book rental mandatory? Surely you have the option to just buy the books yourself from a book shop? Bet that cost would be more than what the school is charging.

Got a letter from the school saying it was mandatory 'to ensure the success of the scheme'.

I'm not nitpicking - genuinely broke (separated dad)

kandr10

minikin wrote: »

Got a letter from the school saying it was mandatory 'to ensure the success of the scheme'.

I'm not nitpicking - genuinely broke (separated dad)

Is it possible it also includes other costs like art materials/extra lessons?

evolving_doors

minikin wrote: »

Got a letter from the school saying it was mandatory 'to ensure the success of the scheme'.

I'm not nitpicking - genuinely broke (separated dad)

I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out how they could be charging that much for just the books? could you type in the names of the books!!!
Are they keeping the booklist from you and just demanding a cheque?
Does it include art material and copybooks?
I'd go to them and ask what gives, explain your situation ...maybe they might do instalments.
Sounds a bit rich to me.

AndrewJRenko

minikin wrote: »

Little'un is going in to 2nd class.
Book rental scheme is €125.

Seems very high considering the scheme was set up, by the department, to reduce the cost of school books to about 25% of the purchase price (as they're to be re-used for between four and six years).
Could it be the "voluntary" contribution by the back door?

There is a requirement in the Dept Education rules for Boards of Management to share the school accounts with the school community. Ask to see a copy of last year's accounts to see where the money is going.