broken window advice

[bobtheduck]

a friends 8 year old kid was throwing conkers at the school wall with his mates the other day when he broke a window by accident, being the shy type he admitted it was him (no evidence that it was) the school have asked the boys mother to pay for the damage, my question is (a) are schools not insured for events like that? and (b) if anyone has to pay should it not be split between the parents of the 3 boys? as it could have been anyone of them who broke the window?

[Philtaz]

The school could ask the parents to pay as a goodwill gesture however as the boy is 8 years old he has no criminal responsibility(none until the age of 10, limited from 10 to 14, assumes full criminal responsibility at 14) therefore the school legally have no recourse.

[bobtheduck]

thanks philtaz

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Probably a bit late answering but here goes.... a) schools are indeed insured but not against accidental damage the premiums are too high. Something is broken every day in schools across the country so I cant think any insurance company would want to insure. b) the school where I work do indeed ask the parents to pay for the damage. How would you feel if kids playing in the street by your house, threw a conker through your window - would you just claim on your insurance therefore possibly putting the premiums up or would you attempt to get the kids parents to pay?