Charging

Charging

The Brooksbank School Sports College, as an academy, provides free education for registered students, provided it takes place wholly or mainly during school hours.

  • School hours are those when a school is actually in session, not including mid-day break
  • The main exception is that a charge may be made for individual musical tuition, except where it is required to fulfil a prescribed public examination or is within the requirements of the National Curriculum
  • Under certain circumstances, a third party may charge parents direct for activities organised in school hours

Charging is permitted for education provided out of school hours unless it is required to fulfil a prescribed public examination, is within the requirements of the National Curriculum or to fulfil statutory duties relating to religious education. In these cases, only charges for board, lodging or residential trips can be made.

  • Governors can choose to waive charges in whole or part
  • Charges will be waived for board and lodgings to students whose parents receive income support or family credit if the activity takes place during the school hours or is covered by the criteria relating to public examinations, national curriculum or religious provision
  • Voluntary contributions may be requested for any activity provided it is clear that there is no obligation to contribute and that there will be no differentiations between those who contribute and those who do not.

Damaged or Lost Items

The school may charge parents for the cost to replace items broken, damaged or lost if it is due to student behaviour.

Transport During School Hours

No charge will be made for transporting students between sites during school hours for educational activities.

  • If a student uses transport not provided by the school to travel from home to an activity sanctioned by the school but not provided by them, the parents may be required to cover the cost (e.g. travel to work experience).

Ingredients & Materials

The school bears the costs of ingredients, materials and equipment required for practical subjects.

  • Parents may make a voluntary contribution towards these costs.
  • The school may make a charge for these materials if the parents agree, in advance, that they wish to own the finished product.
  • All students will be treated the same, whether their parents contribute or not.

Examinations

Governors are required to enter a student for each exam syllabus for a prescribed public examination for which the student has been prepared.

  • This requirement can be lifted if there is an educational reason for not entering the student or if the student’s parents request, in writing, that the student is not entered.
  • If a student fails to complete the requirements of the public examination that the school has paid for and has no good reason, then the examination fee can be recovered from the parents.
  • If a student is to be entered in an examination other than a prescribed public examination, the fee can be recouped from the student’s parents, provided their agreement has been obtained in advance.

Optional Activities

Optional activities are activities which take place either wholly or mainly outside school hours and they are not part of a prescribed public examination, required to fulfil the national curriculum or religious education.

Participation is based on individual choice, with parental agreement to pay for the provision.

Charges can cover travel, board and lodging, materials, books, instruments and other equipment, staff costs, entrance fees and insurance.

The charge can be based on the total cost of the activity divided equally by the number of participants. It can include a subsidy for those whose parents will not, or cannot, pay the charge. The cost cannot exceed the total cost of the activity.

Board & Lodging

Board and lodging may be charged for whether or not the visit takes place within school time and whether or not the activity is provided to fulfil the requirements of the syllabus of a prescribed public examination, the National Curriculum or statutory duties relating to religious education.

  • Charges for board and lodging must not exceed the actual cost to the pupil.
  • Governors may consider whether to waive charges in other circumstances as guided by the school pastoral staff.

Musical Instrument Tuition

Instrument tuition may not be charged if the activity is provided to fulfil the requirements of the syllabus of a prescribed public examination, the National Curriculum or statutory duties relating to religious education.

  • Parental agreement must be obtained before students are given tuition that is to be charged for.
Logos