School governing bodies and local authorities, cannot charge for:

  • an admission application to any state funded school - paragraph 1.9 (n) of the ‘School Admissions Code 2012’ rules out requests for financial contributions as any part of the admissions process;
  • education provided during school hours (including the supply of any materials, books, instruments or other equipment);
  • education provided outside school hours if it is part of the national curriculum1, or part of a syllabus for a prescribed public examination that the pupil is being prepared for at the school, or part of religious education;
  • instrumental or vocal tuition, for pupils learning individually or in groups, unless the tuition is provided at the request of the pupil’s parent;
  • entry for a prescribed public examination, if the pupil has been prepared for it at the school; and
  • examination re-sit(s) if the pupil is being prepared for the re-sit(s) at the school2.

Schools and local authorities can charge for:

  • any materials, books, instruments, or equipment, where the child’s parent wishes him/her to own them;
  • optional extras (see below);
  • music and vocal tuition, in limited circumstances;
  • certain early years provision;
  • community facilities

Charges may be made for some activities that are known as ‘optional extras’. Where an optional extra is being provided, a charge can be made for providing materials, books, instruments, or equipment. Optional extras are:

  • education provided outside of school time that is not: a) part of the national curriculum; b) part of a syllabus for a prescribed public examination that the pupil is being prepared for at the school; or c) part of religious education.
  • examination entry fee(s) if the registered pupil has not been prepared for the examination(s) at the school;
  • transport (other than transport that is required to take the pupil to school or to other premises where the local authority/governing body have arranged for the pupil to be provided with education);
  • board and lodging for a pupil on a residential visit;
  • extended day services offered to pupils (for example breakfast club, after-school clubs, tea and supervised homework sessions).

For full details of our Charging and Remissions Policy, please follow this link.