St John’s RC Primary Burnley
CHARGING POLICY | October 2021
Introduction
1.1 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 some individual or small-group music tuition.
2 Voluntary contributions
2.1 When organising school trips or visits to enrich the curriculum and the educational experience of the children, the school invites parents/carers to contribute to the cost. 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/carers have not paid any contribution. We do not treat these children differently from any others.
2.2 If a parent/carer 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/carers have a right to know how each trip is funded. The school provides this information on request.
2.3 The following is a list of additional activities, organised by the school, which require voluntary contributions from parents/carers. 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 or by a theatre company;
- musical events.
3 Residential visits
3.1 If the school organises a residential visit in school time, or mainly in school time, which is to provide education directly related to the National Curriculum, we do not make any charge for the education or travel expenses. However, we do make a charge to cover the costs of board and lodging. Parents/carers who receive state benefits are asked to make a reduced contribution.
4 Music tuition
4.1 All children study music as part of the normal school curriculum. We do not charge for this.
4.2 There is a charge for individual or small-group music tuition, since this is an additional curriculum activity, and not part of the National Curriculum. These individual or small-group lessons are taught by peripatetic music teachers. We make a charge for these lessons, but parents in receipt of state benefits are exempt from payment. We give parents information about additional music tuition at the start of each academic year.
5 Swimming
5.1 The school organises swimming lessons for all children in Key Stage 2. These take place in school time and are part of the National Curriculum. We therefore make no charge for this activity. We inform parents/carers when these lessons are to take place.
6 Monitoring and review
6.1 This policy is monitored by the governing body, and will be reviewed in three years, or earlier if necessary.