Greenhill Primary: Hard-up Sheffield mum says she was “made to feel like a scrounger” by school over £20 debt

A Sheffield mum-of-two says she was “made to feel like a scrounger” by her school over a £20 debt.

The working single mother says was “insulted” when she emailed asking Greenhill Primary to put her children in an after school club at short notice on June 25.

However, despite her full time job, she was struggling to make ends meet at the time and promised to settle the £20 fee when she was paid five days later.

In reply, the school they would let her two children in - but not to expect any school dinners until they were paid back.

"On this occasion we will book the children into after school club today,” the school replied in an email.

“The children will not be able to attend any further sessions and must bring packed lunches until the amount owed is paid in full.

“Going forward, all breakfast, after school club and lunches must be paid for in advance."

Then when she took up her complaints with headteacher, Tina Whitehouse, the head offered to refer her to a food bank.

“I’ve never felt so insulted,” said the mum, who asked not to be identified because of her work with vulnerable people.

“I asked the school for a one-time favour so my children had childcare after school and I was made to feel like a scrounger.

“I’ve never been in debt with the school and have always paid my after school club and dinner fees, but my bank was empty and the first time I ask for a hand, I’m told in a curt email they won’t feed my children in the week as a result.

“My children will be there for a few more years still and I feel our parent/school relationship has been completely soured.”

Greenhill Primary was contacted for a comment.

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In her email to the mum-of-two, Ms Whitehouse wrote: “...we fully appreciate that the cost of living can be challenging for many of our families and the end of the month can be difficult to manage.

“Our school budget is in the same situation-with very tight margins and no room for manoeuvre. It is for this reason that outstanding balances are requested in order to effectively balance the school budget and ensure the smooth running of these services.

“As you would pay for items in a shop at the point of purchase, school services work in the same way. 

“Challenging school budget issues mean that we request, if families have outstanding amounts owed, that parents provide packed lunches. If for any reason, a child did not have a packed lunch or parents had not paid for a lunch, we would not let the child go hungry and a meal would, of course, be provided but this does have an impact on our daily budget.

“I am more than happy to support you with a referral to a foodbank if that would help your family in the short term. Please let me know if that is something that I can do for you.”