Charging for School Activities

Charging for School Activities

The government has set out the law on charges for school activities in Sections 449-462 of the Education Act 1996. The school reserves the right to levy in such circumstances permissible under this Act and in accordance with this policy.

Voluntary Contributions

School visits, visitors into school and other activities enhance the children’s learning, knowledge and experience and enrich the curriculum. Parents may be asked to make voluntary contributions for any such visit or activity organized by the school and approved by the Governors. However, the matter of a voluntary contribution will not be a factor in deciding whether a pupil is allowed to participate in an activity to be financed by voluntary contributions, although the school reserves the absolute right to determine whether the level of voluntary contributions is sufficient to enable the activity to take place.

Remissions

The Governors will apply the statutory minimum remissions to any charges that they make, that is in respect of pupils whose parents are in receipt of income support or family credit. Any further remission of charges will be at the discretion of the Governors.

Breakages

The Governors reserve the right to ask parents to contribute to the cost of any item that has to be renewed due to breakage, loss or damage, other than normal fair wear and tear. Each incident will be dealt with on its own merit at the discretion of the head teacher.

Charging in Kind

Where parents indicate in advance that they wish to own the finished product of a practical activity they may be asked to either provide or pay for ingredients, materials, equipment used etc. No child will be disadvantaged because of a parent’s unwillingness or inability to contribute in this way.