Charging Policy

Introduction

We believe that all our pupils should have an equal opportunity to benefit from school activities, both on and off site, within and outside the curriculum, regardless of their family’s financial means. This policy sets out our school approach to charging and remissions. In doing this our intention is to ensure transparency in setting charges and ensure all children are able to access all the provision on offer.

Admissions

No charge will be made for admission.

School meals

No children in Islington Schools will pay for school meals.

Exams

No charge will be made for entering pupils for public examinations set out in regulations.

 No Charges

No charge will be made for activities provided during school hours (with the exception of music tuition – see Section below). No charge will be made for transport during school hours e.g. to swimming.  We may ask parents for a voluntary contribution to support costs.

We may charge for some activities that take place outside school hours. The Headteacher will decide which activities we make a charge for. The levels of charge will be set annually on the recommendation of the Headteacher and the finance committee.

Where we make a charge, the total collected will not exceed the cost of providing the activity and no parent will be asked to subsidise the cost to other pupils by paying more than an amount equal to the total cost of the activity divided by the number of pupils participating.

Costs we can legally recover are as follows:

a) teaching staff engaged under contracts for services purely to provide an optional extra, this includes supply teachers engaged specifically to provide the optional extra

b) non-teaching staff

c) any materials, books, instruments or equipment provided in connection with the optional extra

d) transport to an activity outside school hours

e) activities that take place partly during school hours either on or off site

(non-residential).  If the majority of the time spent on a non-residential activity is outside school hours, we must treat the activity as if it happens fully outside school hours.

Residentials

We will charge pupils the full cost of board and lodging on residentials whether it is classified as taking place within or outside school hours EXCEPT where pupils are legally entitled to remission. In such cases no charge will be made for board and lodging.

Music tuition within school hours

No charge will be made if the music tuition is an essential part of the national curriculum or a public examination syllabus being followed by the pupil (including instrument hire, music books etc)

No charge will be made for the first programme in which the whole class engages with the KS2 Programme of Instrumental and Vocal Tuition (Wider Opportunities). This includes instrument hire, music books etc

No charge will be made for instrumental and vocal tuition within school hours for children in care (including instrument hire, music books etc)

We will charge for all other instrumental and vocal tuition requested by parents and delivered by specialist tutors within school hours, whether offered to an individual or group of pupils. Charges will be determined by the headteacher and the appropriate committee of the governing body and may vary depending on size of group, length of lesson and type of instrument.

Where we make a charge for instrumental and vocal tuition within school hours we will remit charges for pupils on free school meals, as well as in certain other circumstances (e.g. for siblings) in order to ensure specialist music tuition is accessible and affordable for all children.

Childcare

We will charge families for any childcare offered to children before and after school (and during school holidays), with the level of fees and any remissions to be set and reviewed regularly by the governing body, and in accordance with any requirements set by the local authority where it is subsidising the provision.

We may seek to recover some or all of the costs incurred due to wilful damage or breakage of school property. This will be determined by the headteacher with advice from those involved.

Late Collection Charge- Childcare

We consider children left at school after 3.45pm to be needing childcare.  School finishes at 3.30pm.  We therefore charge parents from 3.45 if children are not collected.  More information can be found in the late collection policy which was agreed by Governors in December 2012.

Damage to property and breakages

We may seek to recover some or all of the costs incurred due to wilful damage or breakage of property belonging to a third party where the school has been charged. This will be determined by the headteacher with advice from those involved.

Remissions policy

We may remit, in full or part, charges for certain activities and pupils, as determined by the headteacher with the governing body. The circumstances in which remissions are applied will be reviewed regularly.  For example:  Pupils on Free School Meals may be entitled to remission.

Voluntary contributions

We may in certain circumstances invite parents to make a voluntary contribution towards activities that are exempt from charging.

Where we do ask for voluntary contributions, we will make it clear that children of parents who choose not to contribute will not be treated differently from those who do. No pupil will be excluded from the activity if their parents do not contribute.

 If an activity cannot go ahead without sufficient voluntary contributions, this will be explained to parents when the contribution is requested. If the activity has to be cancelled due to insufficient funds, all monies received will be returned to parents.

Reviewed: February 2014