Charging Policy

KING’S PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

CHARGING POLICY

Reviewed: November 2008

Agreed at Finance Committee Meeting: 15/01/09

Approved at Main Governing Body Meeting: 22/1/09

Review Due: 2010

CHARGING POLICY

1 Introduction

All education during school hours is free. We do not charge for any activity undertaken as part of the National Curriculum with the exception of swimming, where a voluntary contribution is requested.

2 Voluntary contributions

When organising school trips or visits which enrich the curriculum and educational experience of the children, the school invites parents to contribute to the cost of the trip. All contributions are voluntary. If we do not receive sufficient voluntary contributions, we may cancel a trip. If a trip goes ahead, it may include children whose parents have not paid any contribution. We do not treat these children differently from any others.

If a parent wishes their child to take part in a school trip or event, but is unwilling or unable to make a voluntary contribution, we do allow the child to participate fully 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 provides this information on request.

The following is a list of additional activities organised by the school, which require voluntary contributions from parents. These activities are known as ‘optional extras’. This list is not exhaustive:

• visits to museums;
• sporting activities which require transport expenses;
• outdoor adventure activities;
• visits to the theatre;
• musical events.

3. Residential Trips

If the school organises a residential trip in school time or mainly school time, which is to provide education directly related to the National Curriculum, we do not make any charge for the education. However, we do make a charge to cover the costs of the board, lodging and travel expenses. If parents are experiencing financial difficulties they are invited to write in confidence to the Headteacher (also please see the section on Remissions Policy)

4 Music tuition

All children study music as part of the normal school curriculum. We do not charge for this.

5 Swimming

The school organises swimming lessons for all children in Years 3 and 4 and children in the Specialist Learning Centre. These take place in school time and are part of the National Curriculum. We ask for a voluntary contribution towards the cost of this activity as funding received does not fully cover this. We inform parents when these lessons are to take place, and we ask parents for their written permission for their child to take part in swimming lessons.

6 Activities Outside School Hours

No charge is made for activities that are outside of school hours and are part of the curriculum. However, we may ask for a contribution towards materials.

For all other activities outside of school hours, a charge up to the cost of the activity will be levied.

7 Damage/Loss to property

In cases of wilful or malicious damage to equipment or breakages, or loss of school books on loan to children, the headteacher in consultation with the Chair of the Governing Body may decide it right to make a charge. Each incident will be dealt with on its own merit and at their discretion.

8 Lettings

The school will make its facilities available to outside users at a charge of at least the cost of providing the facilities. The scale of charges is determined annually by the Finance Committee and form part of our separate Lettings policy

9 Other charges

The Headteacher, Finance committee or Governing Body may levy charges for miscellaneous services up to the cost of providing such services, e.g. Photocopying

10 Remissions Policy

If the parent/guardian of a pupil is in receipt of Income Support, Income Based job Seekers Allowance, guaranteed element of state pension credit, support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 or Child Tax Credit (providing that they do not also receive Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, assessed by the Inland Revenue, that does not exceed £15575), charges in respect of board and lodging will be remitted in full.

GS/Charging Policy/November 08