Crampton Primary School is an inclusive school offering equality of opportunity to all pupils within the school. We aim to provide a broad and varied range of experiences for the pupils. This may include trips, visits and the use of visiting groups. The Governing Body recognises the valuable contribution that a wide range of activities can make to a child’s development.
This policy is based on advice from the Department for Education (DfE) on charging for school activities and the Education Act 1996, sections 449 to 462 of which set out the law on charging for school activities in England.
It is also based on guidance from the DfE on statutory policies for schools and academy trusts.
4.1 The governing board
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.
Responsibility for approving the charging and remissions policy has been delegated to the Co-chair of Governors Linda Austin or Mary Boole and the Head Teacher Marian Kennedy.
Monitoring the implementation of this policy has been delegated to Head Teacher Marian Kennedy.
4.2 Headteachers
The head teacher is responsible for ensuring staff are familiar with the charging and remissions policy, and that it is being applied consistently.
4.3 Staff
Staff are responsible for:
The school will provide staff with appropriate training in relation to this policy and its implementation.
4.4 Parents
Parents are expected to notify staff or the head teacher of any concerns or queries regarding the charging and remissions policy.
Below we set out what we cannot charge for:
5.1 Education
5.2 Transport
5.3 Residential visits
Below we set out what we can charge for:
6.1 Education
6.2 Optional extras
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.
6.3 Music tuition
Schools can charge for vocal or instrumental tuition provided either individually or to groups of pupils, if 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:
6.4 Residential visits
We can charge for board and lodging on residential visits, but the charge must not exceed the actual cost.
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, 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 contribute, 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 will be cancelled.
The school will charge for the following activities:
For regular activities, the Head Teacher will determine the charges for each activity.
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 and will depend on the activity in question.
9.1 Remissions for residential visits
Parents who can prove they are in receipt of any of the following benefits will be exempt from paying the cost of board and lodging for residential visits:
The Educational Visits Coordinator monitors charges and remissions, and ensures these comply with this policy.
This policy will be reviewed by Head Teacher every Year.
At every review, the Co-Chair of Governors and the Head Teacher will approve the policy.
Review Date: September 2023
Next Review: September 2024