Charging & Remissions

Ivanhoe School, in conjunction with DfE (Department for Education), supports the principle of free school education. Section 449-462 of the Education Act 1996 allows Local Authorities and Governors and academies (under the Academy Funding Agreement) the discretion to make charges under certain circumstances, and this document gives the details on charges and remissions at Ivanhoe School. 

In line with the government’s Academies Financial Handbook, Ivanhoe School has wide discretion over the use of its funds. It is ultimately responsible for the proper stewardship of those funds and for ensuring value for money. It must also ensure that it uses its discretion reasonably, and takes into account any and all relevant guidance on accountability or propriety. The Headteacher and Business Manager have the delegated power to waive any charges as appropriate in cases of financial hardship. 

Non-Curriculum 
1. Goods broken/lost by students A request for payment to students to replace goods under £25.00 can be given verbally. Over £25.00 a letter is sent home informing parents of the incident and the amount due. The Finance Department will issue an official receipt. Parents will be asked to pay towards the cost of any defaced or damaged property, when this is the result of a pupil's behaviour. This includes defaced or damaged property whilst on a trip or visit organised by Ivanhoe School.

2. Lettings For charges made for the letting of the school hall, gym, classrooms and other facilities please refer to the school Lettings Policy. 

3. Reprographics Private printing undertaken by the Reprographic Department will be invoiced and VAT charged (at the current rate) where applicable. 

4. PE Uniform The school will charge for the sale of PE uniform in accordance with the price list available from the 
school website, other outlets where PE uniform is available to purchase is also promoted. 

Curriculum 

Ivanhoe School will finance the following from the resources made to the school by the DfE: 

• Books, materials and other equipment for use in connection with education provided during the school day. Essential protective equipment e.g. safety goggles will be provided by the School. Students will be responsible for having their own pen, pencil, ruler etc. 

• Parents will be asked to make a voluntary contribution for materials and ingredients used in Art, Design and Technology. This contribution will be in kind e.g. materials and in the form of an annual donation. If the voluntary contribution is made, the pupil will be allowed to take the finished product home. 

• Education visits mainly in school time e.g. when more than half the visit is in school hours, will be dependent on parents' willingness to contribute voluntarily towards the cost. Visits will only be able to go ahead if there is sufficient financial support for the visit; otherwise the activity will be cancelled. Prior to any visit being arranged a letter will be sent to parentsidentifying the level of voluntary contribution necessary for the trip to go ahead. 

• Visits outside school hours. If visits take place during the evening or at weekends, or at such times when more than half the visit is out of school hours, then the Governing body will charge for the full cost of this activity. 

• In the case of Residential Trips which occur out of school hours or mainly out of school hours parents will be asked to cover the full cost of the trip. When a school informs parents about a forthcoming visit, they should make it clear that where a pupil is currently on free school meals, they will be exempt from paying the cost of board and lodging.

•  For Residential Trips mainly in school hours see 3.

• For Educational Activities which occur during school time e.g. visiting theatre groups/authors/music workshops etc, a voluntary contribution will be requested. The activity will only be able to go ahead if there is sufficient financial support – see 3. 

• In the case of all trips/visits a subsidy will be available to all students receiving free school meals.

• If the charges are made on a regular basis, by a Department, for small amounts then the department should enter names into a Sales Record Book and hand in periodically with monies collected to the Finance Assistant.