The Independent newspaper reported in February 2015 that a new National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) study shows schools are breaching guidelines by charging parents for field trips that are central to exam courses – leading to fears that children from poor families are opting not to study geography and biology.
A survey of 2,500 parents revealed that more than a third of those with children over the age of 11 have been required to pay for field trips that are actually compulsory parts of assessed courses. Many of the trips take place wholly or mostly during the school day – meaning state schools are breaching government guidelines by requiring parents to cover the cost.
While it is perfectly acceptable for state schools to ask for voluntary contributions for these trips it is not acceptable for students who are unable to pay to be excluded from them.
The NASUWT study, entitled The Cost of Education, found that almost half of parents paid more than £50 per child over the past year to enable participation, with one in 20 paying more than £500 a year. Nearly a quarter of children over 11 years old were unable to participate in educational trips due to the cost. This, therefore, is clearly a growing problem.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: “There is no doubt that access to education for an increasing number is based on parents’ ability to pay. It is scandalous that children’s curriculum choices are now being restricted by whether their parents could afford the books or the educational equipment required by their course.”
In response, the Department for Education has confirmed its stance by issuing a strict warning that it is against the law for state schools to charge pupils for elements of a course required by the curriculum. Official DfE guidance states that schools “cannot charge for education provided on any visit that takes place during school hours – or education provided on any visit that takes place outside school hours if it is part of the national curriculum or part of a syllabus for a prescribed public examination.”
Schools are allowed to charge for board and lodging for residential trips, but the charge to parents must not exceed the actual cost.
A DfE spokesperson added: “We have made clear to schools that no child should be excluded from any activity during school hours or within the curriculum simply because their parents are unwilling or unable to pay. While schools can ask for voluntary contributions for trips and extra equipment, they must make clear to parents that there is absolutely no obligation for them to pay.”
To find out more about the rules regarding charging on School Trips please visit our dedicated finance webpages here or call on 03332 070737 or email info@handsam.co.uk us to ask a question and find out how Handsam can assist you in this and other ways.
