Education and Child Matters

I AM L.I.P

I am a Litigant In Person

Paying For Things At Schools

 

IS THERE A LAW THAT GOVERNS WHAT A STATE SCHOOL CAN AND CANNOT CHARGE PARENTS FOR?

Yes there is. 

Under sections 449 – 462 of the education act 1996, the law clearly states what state schools can and cannot charge parents for. 

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBPAGE FOR SECTIONS 449 – 462 OF THE EDUCATION ACT 1996

LINK TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GUIDE FOR CHARGING FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

WHAT CAN A STATE SCHOOL CHARGE A PARENT FOR?

A state school can charge a parent for the following:

  1. Extra music lessons and tuition if the parents have asked for the extra lessons. 
  2. The use of the school building and premises for community functions.
  3. Accommodation and food for a residential school trip.
  4. Breakfast club.
  5. After school club.
  6. Studying (including books, equipment and related materials) given to a child outside of school hours that is separate from the national curriculum.
  7. Fees for exams taken on the school premises but the school has not provided the education for the pupil. 
  8. Fees for exams which were not on the schools list but the school has arranged for the pupil to sit the exam.
  9. Fees for exams where the pupil does not attend the exam (without good reason) but the school paid for the exam. 
  10. Transport for a pupil (NOT including transport to and from school or transport to other premises where education has been arranged by the school, to exam premises where the pupil has studied for the exams in school or for an educational visit.)  
  11. An activity where less than 50% of the activity occurs during school time. 

WHAT SCHOOLS CANNOT CHARGE FOR?

A state school cannot charge for the following:

  1. Exam resits if the pupil has studied for the exam in school.
  2. Exam entry if the pupil has studied for the exam in school.
  3. Admission to the school.
  4. Before school, after school, and lunchtime lessons if the education is part of the national curriculum.
  5. Education as part of a school visit during school timetable
  6. Education outside the school timetable that is part of the national curriculum.
  7. Supply teachers covering for teachers that are on school visits. 
  8. Music tuition if it is part of the national curriculum.
  9. Any activity where over 50% of the activity occurs during school time. 

WHAT CAN A STATE BOARDING SCHOOL CHARGE FOR?

A state boarding school can charge parents for full boarding. They can also charge for extended day services such as breakfast club.

WHAT IF A PARENT IS ON LOW INCOME OR BENEFITS AND CANNOT AFFORD A SCHOOL TRIP?

Please ask the school if there is any financial help available so the child can go on the trip.

DOES THE SCHOOL NEED A CHARGING AND REMISSIONS POLICY?

Yes they do. It should be on their website. If it is not then the school should make it available to you as the parent. 

The charging policy should outline every activity the school is going to charge for, when the school will charge for these activities, how the charges are determined and if there is any help available to the parent to pay for the cost. 

The remissions policy should outline any contributions the school or local authority will make toward the cost of something, are there any exemptions and reduced fees for families on low income. 

WHAT IS PARENTPAY?

ParentPay is an online cashless e-payment system intended for parents to pay for school meals, school trips, after school clubs, and sports events in schools. ParentPay was launched to remove the need for money to be brought to schools. 

All parents should register and open an account with ParentPay. 

LINK TO PARENTPAY

WHAT IS A PARENTAL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION?

A parental voluntary contribution is money that a parent can contribute towards a school activity for the benefit of the school. However, it is the parents’ choice. The school and the local authority must make it clear to the parent that the contribution is not compulsory and will not harm their child’s education or participation in the activity if the parent does not contribute. At no point should a parent feel pressured into paying.