Charging for School Activities

For fee-paying pupils, the cost of these items is included in the fee and no further charge will be made for them. In all cases where required by the school, parents must meet the cost of providing PE kit. Details of any specific clothing requirements (which are agreed by the School Governance Committee) will be included in the school's prospectus. No charge will be made for materials and ingredients needed for practical subjects such as food technology or design and technology except in the following circumstances:

• if parents have indicated in advance that they wish to have the finished product
• if the cost of the materials required exceeds the "minimum reasonable value" as determined by SCE.

Examinations

No entry fee for a public examination is charged for a pupil prepared by the school for an examination except in the following circumstances:

• if a pupil fails without good reason to complete the requirements of the relevant examination course
• for re-sits where a pupil has already achieved a pass grade, unless a higher grade is required for the pupil's planned higher education or career
• if a pupil is an adult student enrolled under the "Return to Learn" scheme
• for examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, unless a pupil is studying music at GCSE or A level, in which case the fee will be waived

The Headteacher has discretion to decide whether examination entry fees should be charged for public examinations for which a pupil was not prepared by the school.

Music provision

Charges will be made for pupils who receive instrumental music tuition through SCE Music Centres. Charges will also be made for the hire of musical instruments from Music Centres.

Entry fees for examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music will be passed on to parents. Associated Board examination fees and Music Centre instrument hire costs will be waived for pupils who are being prepared by their school for GCSE or A level Music examinations.

Other contributions

Voluntary contributions may be invited from parents and others to support school activities. Such contributions are voluntary and children of parents who choose not to contribute will not be treated differently. If a particular activity cannot take place without some help from parents, this will be made known to them at the planning stage.

Charges may be made for activities which take place outside school hours if parents agree to pay. Any charge made will not exceed the cost of provision.

Extracurricular activities and school visits

For a residential activity taking place largely during school time, or which meets the requirements of the syllabus for a public examination, or is a necessary part of the National Curriculum or religious education, no charge will be made either for the education or the cost of travel. However, charges can be made for board and lodging in these circumstances, except for pupils whose parents are receiving Income Support or Family Credit. Such activities can take place before, during or after the school day or for longer periods of time involving overnight accommodation away from home during term time, weekends and holidays.

SCE Schools, Early Years Foundation Stage settings and Music Centres follow the advice contained in the DfE publication, “Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits”, published in 1998, regarding supervision ratios and the general organisation of school visits and in the document “SCE Policy, Procedures and Guidance for Outdoor Education and School Off-Site Visits”. This contains the most recent advice and guidance from the DfE, the Health and Safety Executive and the relevant national governing bodies for outdoor activities.