Charging and Remissions Policy

Purpose of Policy  

We believe that all our pupils should have an equal opportunity to benefit from school activities and visits (curricular and extra-curricular) independent of their parents’ financial means. This charging and remissions policy describes how we will do our best to ensure a good range of visits and activities is offered at the same time, and try to minimise the financial barriers which may prevent some pupils taking full advantage of the opportunities.  

Relationship to other policies  

The policy compliments the school’s equality policy, curriculum policy, finance policy, educational visits policy and the teaching and learning policy.  

Roles and responsibilities of Principal, other staff and governors  

The Principal, staff and governors will ensure that the following applies:  

No charges will be made for:

Point 1  

• Education provided during school hours (including the supply of any materials, books or other equipment)  
• Education provided outside school hours if it is part of the National Curriculum, or part of a syllabus for a prescribed public examination that the pupil is being prepared for at the school, or part of the school’s basic curriculum for religious education.  
• Education provided on any trip that takes place during school hours. However, Governors have agreed that Voluntary Contributions may be requested.  
• Supply teachers to cover for those teachers who are absent from school accompanying pupils on a residential trip.  
• Transport provided in connection with an educational trip. However, Governors have agreed that Voluntary Contributions may be requested.
• Music tuition – for individuals or groups of any appropriate size.

Activities for which charges may be made  

Point 2

• Activities outside school hours – Non-residential activities (other than those listed in point 1 above), which take place outside school hours, but only if the majority of the time spent on that activity takes place outside school hours (time spent on travel counts in this calculation if the travel itself occurs during school hours).  
• Residential activities – Board and lodging costs (but only those costs) of residential trips deemed to take place during school time. However, pupils whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits (see point 3 below) may not be charged the full rate for board and lodging costs. Residential trips deemed to take place outside school time (other than for those activities listed in point 1 above). When any trip is arranged parents will be notified of the policy for allocating places.  
• Additional nursery provision beyond the statutory funded hours

Additional considerations   - point 3

The governing body recognises its responsibility to ensure that the offer of activities and educational visits does not place an unnecessary burden on family finances. To this end we will try to adhere to the following guidelines:  

• Where possible we shall publish a list of visits (and their approximate cost) at the beginning of the school year so that parents can plan ahead  
• We have established a system for parents to pay in instalments  

When an opportunity for a trip arises at short notice it will be possible to arrange to pay by instalments beyond the date of the trip  

We acknowledge that offering opportunities on a “first pay, first served” basis discriminates against pupils from families on lower incomes and we will avoid that method of selection.  

Lost or Damaged Books  

While the staff and governors are aware that accidents do happen, we ask parents to pay for the replacement of lost or damaged reading books, library books or journals at a rate of £4.00 per book.  

Intention Damage to school property and/or equipment  

Wilful damage to school property and/or equipment will be charged to parents by the school.  

Academy Pricing List From 01/09/2024 to 31/08/2025

Nursery 30 hours free funding

30 hours free nursery sessions will be offered to all children who are entitled and registered to receive this government Monday to Friday 8.30am until 2:45pm during normal school opening weeks. To check your eligibility go to:  https://childcare-support.tax.service.gov.uk/par/app/applynow  

School Uniform

Longton Protective Clothing Limited (LPC) is our school uniform supplier and is conveniently located inside Timberland DIY, Sutherland Street, Longton ST3 1HZ with ample free parking. Telephone contact number is 01782 327917.

Their online ordering and home delivery service is also now available at:

https://www.lpclothing.co.uk/schoolwear/glebe-academy

All items are priced as follows:

• School Jumpers £16.99 - £18.99
• School Cardigans £17.99 - £19.99
• School PE Zoodies £13.99 (Black)
• Black joggers £8.99

• PE T Shirt £5.00
• Book Bags £6.00
• School Ties £5.50 *also available to purchase at the school office

Recovery of outstanding fees and charges  

Recovery of unpaid/outstanding fees and charges incurred by parents accessing school services will be recovered in-line with our Debt Recovery for Parents Policy.

Refunds

Refunds will not be given for activities or items where the Academy has already incurred a cost of charge.

Signed Leadership, Finance and Facilities (LFF) Committee                          Date: July 2024

T Griffin