Charging policy
Charging Policy
CHURCHAM PRIMARY SCHOOLCHARGING POLICY
The school wishes to provide for all pupils the best possible educational opportunities available. 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 endorsed, however, that many educationally valuable activities have been and will continue to be dependent on financial contributions in whole or 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.
School values the support of the ?Friends? for aspects of funding e.g. coaches.
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 Churcham Primary 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. Charges may be waived or reduced for children whose parents make application to the Head.
2. Residential visits during school 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 who are eligible for free school meals and whose parents are receiving Income Support, Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance, support under part V1 of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999 or Child Tax Credit, where the parent is not entitled to Working Tax Credit and whose annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) does not exceed £13.230. Charges may be waived or reduced for other children whose parents make application to the Head.
3. Residential visits outside school 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 subsidence costs;
(b) Non-teaching staff;
(c) Costs of teaching staff where separately engaged under a contract for services for the visit or activity;
(d) Entrance fees to museums, castles, theatres, etc;
(e) Insurance costs.
Reviewed October 2003
Review October 2005 Back to top