Parents accuse Catholic primary school of 'segregating' pupils who didn't pay for fundraising event
Christ the King Primary School in Llanishen, Cardiff, held a sports day event during school hours last month which required a minimum entry fee of £1.
But 59 children who didn't pay were stuck in their classrooms, while the other 139 pupils were involved in the games which included axe-throwing and archery.
The fundraiser amassed £2,224 in total and some pupils paid considerably more to fund prizes such as a £119 holiday camp with Sports Xtra, who ran the event.
Furious parents said the schoolchildren who were not involved 'were not even allowed to sit on the field and watch'.
'There are people out there who haven't got the money,' said one parent.
'Children who didn't raise anything were segregated from the event, which was done within school hours. I think it's about pressure: if you don't send the money, your child will not get to do anything.
'Some parents actually did transfer the money but their child was still excluded because they were told it was paid too late in the day. Surely this goes against how schools should make everyone feel included?'
After coming under fire the school has vowed to review 'how we can best be more inclusive'.
Further concerns were raised by parents over a potential conflict of interest because Sports Xtra is co-run by the husband of the school's deputy head.
But the school insisted any funds raised will not go to the company, but towards future 'enrichment activities' for children at the school which 'includes but is not limited to Sports Xtra'.
A Sports Xtra spokesman said: 'We have recently provided a free session to support the school's fundraising event.
'In addition to not getting paid for running the activities, we also donated over £1,433 worth of prizes for the fundraising. These included 1-2-1 football sessions, football sessions and free places for a week at our summer camps.'
A notice ahead of the event stated children could 'win the following prizes' depending on how much money they raised:
£119 for a week-long holiday camp with Sports Xtra
£50 for a one-to-one session with a sports coach
£33 for a Sports Xtra 'holiday day'
£29 to take home a football
£9 for a football session
One parent said: 'I don't feel that providing options to the children on what they can receive for different amounts they raise should be listed as this puts so much pressure on parents when children are told what they will receive depending on the amount.'
Ahead of the fundraiser the school said all money raised 'will be used for the schools sports programmes except costs incurred.'
They added that footballs were 'the only physical prize so that was the only cost incurred' and that 'the other prizes were donated by Sports Xtra for free'.
Responding to claims that children were 'segregated' for an hour, Christ the King said: 'There was no timeframe given on the event because it was not known how long it would take. It took 30 minutes for each class to complete the activity.'
However, the school's headteacher has reportedly responded to complaints by saying they are 'truly sorry'.
A school spokesperson added: 'The fundraising event was a 30-minute optional session, delivered by Sport Xtra at no charge to the school.
'The annual event enables the school to raise funds to supplement the school's budget so that it can deliver a programme of activities throughout the year, in addition to sport provided through the curriculum.
'Those wishing to take part in the optional 30-minute session were asked to pay £1, and they could also raise sponsorship money if they wished to, the proceeds of which again went towards the funds to help the school pay for the all-year-round programme of extra-curricular sporting activities.
'There was no obligation nor expectation from the school for the children to take part in the 30-minute fundraiser, and the children not taking part continued to follow the timetable for the day as normal.
'We ensure that all suppliers and service providers used by the school give value for money and quality provision.'
Addressing what the money would go towards, the school said: 'Enrichment activities are additional provision [beyond PE lessons] delivered by a range of experienced and qualified external partners. This includes but is not limited to Sports Xtra.'
Sports Xtra said: 'We have worked at Christ the King School for over 10 years and before the school's current leadership team were in post.
'As is always the case with these types of events, we do not get involved in decisions regarding attendance or how the money raised is spent. Those are made by the school.
'Our role was to support the fundraising and encourage young people to get involved in sports and be physically active. Our understanding is that all children in the school will benefit from the money raised.'
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