The law states that:-
“No-one may be asked to pay for educational visits, if these are deemed to be part of the normal school curriculum. Similarly, no child may be excluded because they have not paid.”
The Governors of the School and the Staff feel very strongly that such activities/visits are an important and integral part of our broad curriculum, in addition to being a valuable educational and social activity in themselves.
All visits and activities are planned to enhance the children's learning. These are not compulsory and children will still be able to complete their work in accordance with the National Curriculum, if they do not go on any of these trips.
There is no obligation to contribute to any proposed visit but the school cannot wholly support activities and trips from normal school funding. Therefore parents will be invited to make a voluntary contribution towards any trips/activities. This is a non-profit making procedure and in the event of the final costing being less than anticipated, refunds will be made.
If any parents are experiencing difficulty in contributing towards a trip they should discuss the matter with the class teacher/Headteacher who will endeavour to come to a mutual arrangement for payment, e.g. weekly instalments.
It is to be emphasised that no child will be excluded from a visit, or in any way discriminated against, on the grounds of not making a contribution. However without the good will of parents' voluntary contributions some trips may have to be cancelled. If a voluntary contribution is sought you will of course receive written notice.
The Governing Body will fund the board and lodging costs of residential visits for children whose families are in receipt of Income Support; Income Based Job Seeker’s Allowance; Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; or Child Tax Credit (providing they do not also receive Working Tax Credit and have an annual income assessed by the Inland Revenue that does not exceed £13,230, in accordance with the Education Reform Act).
There will also be times when a local walk will take place during normal school hours and in these instances, written consent is not required, but you can be assured that the County minimum for adult levels of supervision will always be adhered to.
In line with the National Curriculum all children will receive music tuition by a music specialist during the course of the school year. However children may opt for specific instrumental tuition in guitar or keyboard for which a monetary contribution is required after a favourable audition, with the peripatetic teacher. In this instance a signed contract is required and payment is to be made in advance for tuition.
There will be activities during the year which result in a “finished product” which your child may wish to bring home, e.g. food, clay models, needle work, etc. All children will take part but you will be sent a letter beforehand giving you the opportunity to buy the completed article.
A charge may be made for participation in extra curricular activities to meet the costs of materials and staffing.
Details of charges for photocopier, telephone and fax facilities are available from the school office. Subsidised rates are set for community users and non subsidised rates for non community users.
The governors may provide financial support from the school budget or external grants for those families unable to meet the full cost of voluntary contributions or charges on application to the Headteacher. For residential visits, the governors will meet the full cost of one twin to attend.