Purpose of the policy
The purpose of this policy is to provide clear information about charging and voluntary contributions for activities relating to Bishop Luffa School. We follow the West Sussex policy for charging for school activities that mirrors the information given in the Department for Education’s advice document published in May 2018 – ‘Charging for school activities’. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5af99c8ae5274a25e78bbe30/Charging_for_school_activities.pdf
Voluntary contributions
No compulsory charge will be made for any activity which takes place during school hours. Any contribution is entirely voluntary and the students of parents or carers who are unable or unwilling to contribute are not discriminated against. However, where there are not enough voluntary contributions to make the activity possible, and there is no way to make up the shortfall, then the activity will be cancelled.
All letters regarding school activities will state that contributions are voluntary. If any parents or carers have any financial difficulty they will be invited to talk to the school and an agreed arrangement will be sought. No child will be prevented from taking part as a result of their parents’ or carers’ financial situation. However, letters will make it clear that the activity may not run if sufficient voluntary contributions are not made.
Residential trips
Special rules apply for residential activities
a) In School Hours
If a residential activity takes place largely during school time (50% or more of the whole time spent on the activity occurs within school hours), it meets the requirements of the syllabus for a public examination or is to do with the national curriculum or religious education, no charge will be made either for the education or for the cost of travel. However, charges not exceeding the actual cost for the individual student will be made for board and lodging. Voluntary contributions (as above) will be requested.
Children whose parents or carers are in receipt of support payments of:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided parents are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after applicant stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - if the parent application is on or after 1 April 2018 the household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits received)
will be entitled to remission of these board and lodging charges as the student will qualify for free school meals and the school will receive Pupil Premium funding to support the education of the child.
b) Outside School Hours
An activity is deemed to take place out of school hours if 50% or more of the whole time spent on the activity occurs out of school hours. In this case, and for a residential trip, this will be considered as an ‘optional extra’ and a charge will be levied which includes an appropriate element for travel costs, board and lodging costs, materials and other equipment, non-teaching costs and teaching staff costs. This charge will not exceed the actual cost of the provision.
Parents or carers of students in receipt of Pupil Premium funding will be asked to make an appropriate contribution towards board and lodgings.
Music tuition
There will be no charge for music tuition if the teaching is an essential part of either the national curriculum or a public examination syllabus. For other music tuition charges will be made to cover the cost of that tuition. Financial support will be given to Pupil Premium students. No charge will be made in respect of a student who is looked after by the local authority.
Design and Technology products
It is entirely appropriate for the Design and Technology Faculty to charge for, or require the supply of, ingredients and materials if students wish to own the finished product.
The Board of Governors will review this policy every three years, and as necessary due to any changes in legislation.
Reviewed by the Curriculum and Progress Committee on 9th January 2024
Approved by the Board of Governors on 23rd January 2024