Information for parents booklet 2012-2013 - Worcestershire County ...

Part BSection 1aCharges and allowancesThe governing body of each school is required to publish their determined Charging and Remissions policywithin the school prospectus. Parents and carers are advised to contact the preferred school for a copy.Guidance on charging for school activities from the Department for Education is as below:In general, no charge can be made for admitting pupils to maintained schools. Where education is providedwholly or mainly during school hours, it should be free. It is therefore not possible to levy a compulsorycharge for transport, admission costs for swimming lessons or visits to museums, etc. during school hours.The Local Authority or governing body may not charge for anything unless they have drawn up a statement ofgeneral policy on charging. The governing body's policy may be more or less generous than the LA's, as long asit meets the requirements of the law.Voluntary ContributionsHeadteachers or governing bodies may ask parents for a voluntary contribution towards the cost of:• any activity that takes place during school hours• school equipment• school funds generally.The contribution must be genuinely voluntary, though, and the pupils of parents who are unable or unwillingto contribute may not be discriminated against. Where there are not enough voluntary contributions to makethe activity possible, and there is no way to make up the shortfall, then it must be cancelled.Residential TripsSchools are permitted to charge for the cost of board and lodging during residential school trips. This costmust not exceed the actual cost of the provision.Where the trip takes place wholly or mainly during school hours, children whose parents are in receipt of thefollowing support payments will, in addition to having a free school-lunch entitlement, also be entitled to theremission of these charges:• Income Support• Jobseeker's Allowance - Income-based• Employment and Support Allowance – Income Related• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit• Child Tax Credit, provided the parent is not entitled to Working Tax Credit** andtheir annual income does not exceed £16,190** Note: From 1 May 2009, children are eligible for Free School Meals for a four week period immediately after the parent/carerbecomes unemployed, or reduces their hours to less than 16 hours a week, but is still in receipt of Working Tax Credit. Parents willneed to be able to produce a copy of their Tax Credit Decision Notice to claim under this criteria.Apply online at: www.worcestershire.gov.uk 19