Charging Policy

Aims:

We want all our young people to have an equal opportunity to benefit from school activities, both off and on site, within and outside the curriculum, regardless of their family's financial means or the young person’s residential status. This policy sets out our school approach to charging. In doing this our intention is to ensure transparency in setting charges and ensure all young people are able to access all the provision we offer.

Target:

Provide a transparent and consistent approach to applicable charges within the school.

Definitions:

All education during school hours for young people placed by a sponsored authority carries no fee for the Parent or Carer. We do not charge for any activity undertaken as part of the National Curriculum.

Organisation:

Voluntary Contributions

  • When organising school trips to enrich the curriculum and the educational experience of the students, the school invites parents and carer 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 have not paid any contribution. We do not treat these children differently from any others. We will also request monies from students in residence from funds held by the Children's Home.
  • 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/carers have the 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 may require voluntary contributions from parents. These activities are known as 'optional extras'. This may include:

-visits to museums

-sporting activities which require transport expenses

-outdoor adventure activities

-visits to or by a theatre company

-musical events

Residential visits

  • If the school organises a residential visit in school time or mainly in school time, which is to provide education directly related to the Curriculum, we do make a charge to cover the costs of board and lodging. Parents and carers who receive state benefit are exempt from payment.

Music tuition

  • All children study music as part of the normal school curriculum we do not charge for this.
  • There is a charge to the sponsoring authority for individual or small-group music therapy, since this is an additional curriculum activity, and not part of the standard Curriculum. These individual or small-group lessons are taught by peripatetic teachers.

Swimming and hydrotherapy

  • The school organises swimming lessons its young people. These take place in school time and part of the National Curriculum. We therefore make no charge for this activity.
  • Some young people require specialist hydrotherapy as outlined in their statement of SEN. This is facilitated off site by the therapy team.

After School Clubs

  • There is no charge for students attending lunch time clubs and after school club.

School Minibus

  • We do not usually charge for using the school minibus to attend an activity.

Relation to School Aims:

  • To ensure each young person’s individual needs are met.
  • To provide all young people with the opportunity to access activities outside of the Curriculum.
  • To treat all students fairly regardless of the families financial situation.