(The 1988 Education Reform Act requires every school to have, and publish, a charging policy.)

The Governing Body recognises the valuable contribution that the wide range of additional activities, including clubs, trips and residential experiences, make toward students' personal and social education.  The Governing Body aims to promote the provision of such activities as part of a broader balanced curriculum.

The Governing Body reserves the right to make a charge in the following circumstances for activities organised by the School.

Activities in school hours:  the board and lodging element of residential activities which are deemed to take place in school hours, such as Geography field visits, Biology field visits etc.

Activities outside school hours:  the proportionate charge to each student of activities deemed to be optional extras taking place outside school hours, such as visits to theatres, museums, galleries, sporting activities etc.

Individual music tuition:  a termly charge for instrumental music tuition.

Charging in kind:  the cost of materials, ingredients, equipment (or the provision of them by parents) for practical subjects such as Design and Technology and Art. The governing Body may charge for ingredients and materials, or require these to be provided, if parents have indicated in advance that they wish to own the finished product.

Replacement of lost or damaged property:  students are expected to return books and other items issued to them on the completion of a course.  An appropriate charge will be made for items lost or damaged.  Similarly the actual cost of replacing items or making good damage to school equipment, including computer software, or the fabric of the building can be charged.

The Governing Body may, from time to time, amend the categories of activity for which a charge is being made.

Nothing in this policy statement precludes the Governing Body from inviting parents to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of providing education for students.

Remission:  where the parents of a student are in receipt of Income Support or Family credit, the Governing Body will remit in full the cost of board and lodging for any residential activity that it organises for the student, if the activity is deemed to take place within school hours, or where it forms part of the syllabus for a prescribed public examination or the National Curriculum.

May 2010