An Isleworth secondary school is facing calls to put an end to its practice of asking mums and dads for financial contributions, amid claims it is 'unacceptable' in the state sector.
The Green School, in Busch Corner, has come under fire after it emerged some parents were falling into debt because of the voluntary payment of £60 a term.
One hard-up mum of two who who lives on the Green Dragon Estate in Brentford and has found herself £500 in debt, partly because of a monthly direct debit she set up to pay the sum, said: "I set up an account especially to pay the school the £15 a month it asks for.
"Unfortunately, I missed a payment and ended up getting heaped with bank charge after bank charge, which I could not afford to pay."
An explanation about the Green School Appeal Fund given in a letter sent to the 39-year-old woman in July last year said. "We have considerable financial responsibility as a Church of England school and we both need and expect parents to support us in this.
"Parents are requested to contribute £60 per term per student, which amounts to £180 per annum, only £15 per month."
The Department for Children, Schools and Families, said this week schools are free to ask for voluntary contributions but 'must make it quite clear that any contributions are voluntary and that the children of parents who do not contribute will not be treated any differently'. There is no suggestion the school has breached the rules.
But the mum, who asked not to be named for fear her younger daughter's application may be jeopardised, claimed she felt pressurised to pay.
The issue has prompted a furious debate on internet forums and one of those calling for the practice to be scrapped was Hounslow Council's independent councillor John Connelly.
"I don't think a state funded school has any right to ask for money from parents," he said.
"If parents wish to contribute to a school by volunteering and fundraising, and the school asks them if they would like to do this, then that is fair enough. But this seems totally unacceptable."
The school was unavailable for comment as we went to press, but a LEA spokeswoman said: "Head teachers or governing bodies may ask parents for a voluntary contribution towards the cost of any activity which takes place during school hours, school equipment or school funds generally.
"The contribution must be genuinely voluntary though, and the pupils of the parents who are unable or unwilling to contribute may not be discriminated against. Hounslow schools make this very clear in their information to parents."
