charging policy | Prestbury St Marys CofE junior School


	CHARGING POLICY The school wishes to provide for all pupils the best possible educational opportunities available within the funds allocated by the Education Authority. The law states very clearly that education during normal school hours is to be free of any compulsory charge to parents and the school warmly endorses that principle and is committed to uphold the legal requirements. It is recognised, however, that many educationally valuable activities have been and will continue to be dependent on financial contributions in whole or in part from parents. Without that financial support, the school would find it quite impossible to maintain the quality and breadth of the educational programme provided for pupils. The school's concern is to keep financial contributions to a reasonable minimum and to ensure as far as possible that all children are able to take part, irrespective of their circumstances. The law recognises that charges may be made to parents in certain defined circumstances -provided that each school has identified the activities for which charges will be made and has explained the basis on which charges may be reduced or waived for certain pupils. The Governing Body of Prestbury St. Mary’s School has decided that until further notice its policy will be as follows: 1. Day Visits For visits occurring during school time the school will invite a voluntary contribution from parents to meet costs. For visits outside school time parents will be charged for all allowable costs. See section3. Charges may be waived or reduced for children whose parents make application to the Head. 2. Residential visits during term time The school will invite voluntary contributions from parents to meet costs other than children's board and lodgings. Parents will be charged for the full cost of children's board and lodgings. No charge for board and lodgings will be made for children whose parents are receiving certain income benefits. Charges may be waived or reduced for other children whose parents make application to the Head. 3. Residential visits outside term time Parents will be charged for the full cost of the visit, including all allowable costs and board and lodging. Charges may be waived or reduced for children whose parents make application to the Head. Allowable costs include: (a) The pupil's travel and subsistence costs; (b) Materials, books, instruments and other equipment; (c) Non-teaching staff; (d) Costs of teaching staff where separately engaged under a contract for services for the visit or activity; (e) Entrance fees to museums, castles, theatres, etc. (f) Insurance costs. 4. Any visit required because of recognised public examinations, the National Curriculum or the law on Religious Education As for 2 above. 5. Instrumental Music on an individual basis Any tuition provided during school hours is subsidised by the school. The charge is waived in respect of children whose parents are in receipt of certain income benefits, who receive a bursary. 6. Classroom Materials No charge will be made for materials or equipment. However for certain practical activities (Technology, Cookery etc.,) parents may be invited to provide materials or ingredients on a voluntary basis. Where parents would like to possess the finished product, the school reserves the right to charge the cost or require the supply of the necessary materials. 7. Premises. The School premises can be made available to organisation which may or may not be involved with the work of the school. The head teacher only can grant permission for the use of the premises after consideration by the governing body. The charge for this use will be agreed between the Head Teacher and the governing body. 8. Extended school – Kidzclub The termly charges for Kidzclub are agreed with the Kidzclub committee. They are in kept in line with the infant school club charges and increase annually with the rate of inflation. Extended school vouchers are accepted for payment. 9. Swimming Parents are asked to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of swimming sessions. This is towards the cost of lessons, for which the school is charged, and transport to and from the swimming pool. 10. Policy Review. The Governors of the school are required to keep their policy under review. The review will take place annually at a Governors' Finance Committee meeting and following a recommendation, adopted by full Governing body.

	Prestbury St Mary's Church of England Junior School, Bouncers Lane, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 5JB Tel: 01242 244387 Fax: 01242 236762

CHARGING POLICY

The school wishes to provide for all pupils the best possible educational opportunities available within the funds allocated by the Education Authority. The law states very clearly that education during normal school hours is to be free of any compulsory charge to parents and the school warmly endorses that principle and is committed to uphold the legal requirements.

It is recognised, however, that many educationally valuable activities have been and will continue to be dependent on financial contributions in whole or in part from parents. Without that financial support, the school would find it quite impossible to maintain the quality and breadth of the educational programme provided for pupils. The school's concern is to keep financial contributions to a reasonable minimum and to ensure as far as possible that all children are able to take part, irrespective of their circumstances.

The law recognises that charges may be made to parents in certain defined circumstances -provided that each school has identified the activities for which charges will be made and has explained the basis on which charges may be reduced or waived for certain pupils. The Governing Body of Prestbury St. Mary’s School has decided that until further notice its policy will be as follows:

1. Day Visits

For visits occurring during school time the school will invite a voluntary contribution from parents to meet costs. For visits outside school time parents will be charged for all allowable costs. See section3. Charges may be waived or reduced for children whose parents make application to the Head.

2. Residential visits during term time

The school will invite voluntary contributions from parents to meet costs other than children's board and lodgings. Parents will be charged for the full cost of children's board and lodgings. No charge for board and lodgings will be made for children whose parents are receiving certain income benefits. Charges may be waived or reduced for other children whose parents make application to the Head.

3. Residential visits outside term time

Parents will be charged for the full cost of the visit, including all allowable costs and board and lodging. Charges may be waived or reduced for children whose parents make application to the Head.
Allowable costs include:
(a) The pupil's travel and subsistence costs;
(b) Materials, books, instruments and other equipment;
(c) Non-teaching staff;
(d) Costs of teaching staff where separately engaged under a contract for services for the visit or activity;
(e) Entrance fees to museums, castles, theatres, etc.
(f) Insurance costs.

4. Any visit required because of recognised public examinations, the National Curriculum or the law on Religious Education

As for 2 above.

5. Instrumental Music on an individual basis

Any tuition provided during school hours is subsidised by the school. The charge is waived in respect of children whose parents are in receipt of certain income benefits, who receive a bursary.

6. Classroom Materials

No charge will be made for materials or equipment. However for

certain practical activities (Technology, Cookery etc.,) parents may be invited to provide materials or ingredients on a voluntary basis. Where parents would like to possess the finished product, the school reserves the right to charge the cost or require the supply of the necessary materials.

7. Premises.

The School premises can be made available to organisation which may or may not be involved with the work of the school. The head teacher only can grant permission for the use of the premises after consideration by the governing body. The charge for this use will be agreed between the Head Teacher and the governing body.

8. Extended school – Kidzclub

The termly charges for Kidzclub are agreed with the Kidzclub committee. They are in kept in line with the infant school club charges and increase annually with the rate of inflation. Extended school vouchers are accepted for payment.

9. Swimming

Parents are asked to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of swimming sessions. This is towards the cost of lessons, for which the school is charged, and transport to and from the swimming pool.

10. Policy Review.

The Governors of the school are required to keep their policy under review. The review will take place annually at a Governors' Finance Committee meeting and following a recommendation, adopted by full Governing body.