Priestthorpe Primary School

Charging

Policy

September` 2011

Introduction

This policy has been formulated in accordance with Authority’s guidance on: Charging for School Activities.

Aim

The aim of this policy is to set out what charges will be levied for activities, what remissions will be implemented and the circumstances under which voluntary contributions will be requested from parents.

Responsibilities

The Governing Body of the School is responsible for determining the content of the policy and the Headteacher for implementation. Any determinations with respect to individual parents will be considered jointly by the Headteacher and Governing Body.

Prohibition of Charges

The Governing Body of the School recognises that all education during school hours is free. The school does not charge for any activity undertaken as apart of the National Curriculum.

Publication of Information

A summary of this policy will be included in the School Prospectus which will be provided for all parents who are new to the school. Voluntary Contributions

When organizing school trips or visits which enrich the curriculum and educational experiences of the children, the school invites parents to contribute towards the cost of the trip. All contributions are voluntary. If we do not receive sufficient voluntary contributions, we may cancel a visit. If a visit goes ahead, it may include some children whose parents have not contributed the full amount. We do not treat these children differently to any other.

If a parent wishes their child to take part in a school visit or event, but is unable to make a voluntary contribution, we do allow the child to participate in the trip or activity. Sometimes the school pays additional costs in order to support the visit. Parents have a right to know how each trip is funded. The school will provide this information on request.

Charges

The Governing Body will make a charge for:

Board and lodging on residential visits The proportionate costs for an individual child of activities wholly or mainly outside

school hours (‘optional extras’) to meet the costs for:i. Travel

ii. Materials and equipmentiii. Non-teaching staff costsiv. Entrance feesv. Insurance costs

Individual or group tuition in the playing of a musical instrument Any other education, or transport unless charges are specifically prohibited

Breakages and replacements as a result of damages caused willfully or negligently by pupils

Some extra-curricular activities and school clubsThe Governing Body will contribute a maximum of 10% of the total cost of the visit when insufficient contributions are received.

Music Tuition

All children study music as part of the normal school curriculum. We do not charge for this.There is a charge for individual or group music tuition if this is not part of the National Curriculum. The peripatetic music teachers teach individual or small group lessons. Charges are made for these lessons. We give parents information about additional music tuition at the start of each academic year.

Voluntary Contributions

Parents will be invited to make a voluntary contribution for the following:i. Transport

ii. Entry to museums and centres iii. Entry to theatresiv. Residential visits

Remissions

Children whose parents are in receipt of the following support payments will, in addition to having a free school lunch entitlement, also be entitled to the remission of charges for board and lodging costs during residential school trips. The relevant support payments are:

i. Income support (IS);ii. Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance (IBJSA);

iii. support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;iv. Child Tax Credit, provided that Working Tax Credit is NOT also received and the

family’s income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) does not exceed £15,575 (Financial Year 2008/09);

v. the guarantee element of State Pension Credit; andvi. an income related employment and support allowance that was introduced on 27th

October 2008.

Guidance on school policies for Learning Outside the Classroom, including charging is available here.

Signed ________________________________ Headteacher

Signed ________________________________ Chair of Governors

Dated ________________________________