Education is provided without compulsory charges to parents. Most activities are financed by the school with the funds received from the Education Authority.
There are, however, some valuable educational activities which the school cannot provide without seeking some financial support from parents. This policy is to cover such charging.
Any charges made by the school must meet the requirements of the Education Reform Act, 1988. The Governors endorse the guiding principles contained in the Act, in particular that no child should have its access to the curriculum limited by charges.
AIMS
- To make a broad programme of trips and activities accessible to as many pupils as possible.
- To establish and maintain a fair and coherent system of charging within the constraints of the school budget.
It is the policy of the Governors of this school to charge pupils at cost for all activities which are deemed under the Act to take place outside school hours unless that activity is required to fulfil;
- Any requirements definitely specified in the syllabus or specification of a prescribed examination
- Any statutory duties relating to the National Curriculum
PRACTICE
Charges will not be made for any activities which form part of a prescribed examination specification or are in fulfilment of the National Curriculum requirements.
Activities which are wholly or mainly within school hours should not normally be chargeable.
Charges will be levied for the cost of repairing or replacing books, equipment, other school property, property of another pupil or damage to buildings arising from carelessness, loss or unreasonable behaviour.
Practical Subject costs
In practical subjects, parents may be asked for the full or partial cost of materials or ingredients if they have indicated in advance that they wish to own the finished product.
Trips and Visits
Voluntary contributions may be invited for trips which take place mainly within school hours. No pupil will be excluded because of the inability to pay but the school is entitled to cancel the trip if the level of contributions does not meet its budgetary requirements.
Trips which take place mainly out of school hours are chargeable.
Board, lodging and travel costs will be charged on residential trips, subject to statutory exceptions.
Music Tuition
Peripatetic music lesson tuition will be charged at £10 per instrument per term.
Examination Fees
The cost of examination entries for subjects taught within the school or within collaborating institutions will normally be met by the school for the first time of entering.
For post 16 pupils, one re-sit module per subject will be paid for by the school with all other re-sit costs for this module or other modules being met by the pupil or the parents.
When a pupil enters an examination for which the pupil has not been prepared by the school, the costs will be passed on to the parents of that pupil.
In cases where charges are to be levied, parents must be advised in advance and monies collected prior to the activity.
Requests for help from parents on income support or family credit will be considered and assistance provided within the limits of the school’s budget. Complete confidence will be observed in all such matters. Parents should contact the Headteacher to request for help with charges. The Headteacher will present the all cases for consideration to the Governor’s Chair of the Finance Committee.