Welcome
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Welcome to
Spring Meadow
Primary School
Aim High, Inspire, Make a Difference
1. Aims
Our school aims to:
2. Legislation and guidance
This policy is based on advice from the Department for Education (DfE) on charging for school activities and the Education Act 1996, sections 449-462 of which set out the law on charging for school activities in England.
3. Definitions
4. Roles and responsibilities
The Governing Board has overall responsibility for approving the charging and remissions policy, but can delegate this to a committee, an individual governor or the headteacher.
The Governing Board also has overall responsibility for monitoring the implementation of this policy.
The headteacher is responsible for ensuring staff are familiar with the charging and remissions policy, and that it is being applied consistently.
Staff are responsible for:
The school will provide staff with appropriate training in relation to this policy and its implementation.
Parents are expected to notify staff or the headteacher of any concerns or queries regarding the charging and remissions policy.
5. Where charges cannot be made
Below we set out what we cannot charge for:
6. Where charges can be made
Below we set out what we can charge for:
We are able to charge for activities known as ‘optional extras’. In these cases, schools can charge for providing materials, books, instruments or equipment. The following are optional extras:
When calculating the cost of optional extras, an amount may be included in relation to:
Any charge made in respect of individual pupils will not be greater than the actual cost of providing the optional extra activity, divided equally by the number of pupils participating.
Any charge will not include an element of subsidy for any other pupils who wish to take part in the activity but whose parents are unwilling or unable to pay the full charge.
In cases where a small proportion of the activity takes place during school hours, the charge cannot include the cost of alternative provision for those pupils who do not wish to participate.
Parental agreement is necessary for the provision of an optional extra which is to be charged for.
Schools can charge for vocal or instrumental tuition provided either individually or to groups of pupils, provided that the tuition is provided at the request of the pupil’s parent.
Charges may not exceed the cost of the provision, including the cost of the staff giving the tuition.
Charges cannot be made:
We can charge for board and lodging on residential visits, but the charge must not exceed the actual cost.
7. Voluntary contributions
As an exception to the requirements set out in section 5 of this policy, the school is able to ask for voluntary contributions from parents to fund activities during school hours which would not otherwise be possible.
Some activities for which the school may ask parents for voluntary contributions include:
There is no obligation for parents to make any contribution, and no child will be excluded from an activity if their parents are unwilling or unable to pay.
If the school is unable to raise enough funds for an activity or visit then it may be cancelled. Alternatively, the school may elect to continue with the activity and subsidise the cost. The decision to proceed with subsidy can only be made by the Headteacher
8. Activities we charge for
The school will charge for the following activities:
For regular activities, the charges for each activity will be determined by the Governing Board and reviewed in March each year. Parents will be informed of the charges for the coming year in April each year.
9. Remissions
In some circumstances the school may not charge for items or activities set out in sections 6 and 8 of this policy. This will be at the discretion of the Governing Board / or Headteacher and will depend on the activity in question.
Parents who can prove they are in receipt of any of the following benefits may be exempt from paying the full cost of board and lodging for residential visits:
We understand that families may find themselves in situations of financial hardship from time to time and although not receiving benefits (as listed above), may struggle to make requested financial contributions. We do not want any child to miss out on valuable learning opportunities and experiences on the basis that their parents cannot afford to pay. We will therefore consider any request for support. An application form is available through the school office or Inclusion Team. Except in exceptional circumstances, we would expect parents to make a contribution of 50% of the costs. All applications must come to the Headteacher for approval.
10. Monitoring arrangements
The School Business Manager monitors charges and remissions, and ensures these comply with this policy.
This policy will be reviewed by the Headteacher every year.
At every review, the policy will be approved by the Governing Board