Charging for residential school trips

Understand what you can and can't charge for with respect to residential trips. Read guidance on when parents may be exempt from paying for elements that are normally chargeable.

Last reviewed on 22 October 2024See updates
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 5778
Contents
  1. What can't we charge for?
  2. What can we charge for?
  3. Parents receiving certain benefits are exempt from some charges
  4. Use our model charging and remissions policy

The following is based on the DfE's guidance on charging for school activities.

What can't we charge for?

  • Education provided on any visit that takes place during school hours
  • Education provided on any visit that takes place outside school hours if it's part of the National Curriculum, or part of a syllabus for a prescribed public examination that the pupil is being prepared for at your school, or part of religious education
  • Supply teachers to cover for those teachers who are absent from school accompanying pupils on a residential visit
  • Transport provided in connection with an educational visit

During the current cost-of-living pressures, it's especially important to consider whether it's appropriate to request contributions from parents, and to make