Schools and learning

School trips and residential stays

If your child is going on a school trip or residential activity you do not need to pay for the educational aspect or for the travel, as long as the trip or activity meets these criteria:

• it is taking place wholly or mainly during normal school hours, or
• it is to do with the National Curriculum or religious education, or it meets the requirements of the syllabus for a public examination.

Schools are entitled to invite parents to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost and, if too few parents do so, may have to cancel the activity for all.

However, for residential activities a charge can be made for the cost of board and lodging, except for pupils whose parents are receiving:

• Income Support
• Income based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Support under Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit (providing that they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, assessed by HM Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £15,575)
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

If you are receiving one or more of these benefits, contact your child’s school about claiming remission of charges.

The Hertfordshire Educational Foundation (HEF)

The Hertfordshire Educational Foundation is a small registered charity that may be able to support pupil taking part in educational visits arranged by schools. Go to the "Hertfordshire Educational Foundation" link on this page for further information.

Swimming at Key Stages 1 and 2

In some instances you may be asked by your child's school to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of providing swimming at Key Stages 1 and 2. Your child cannot be excluded or treated differently if you cannot – or choose not to – contribute towards the cost.

(Please note the guidance above is a simplified version of a complex area and should not be taken as an authoritative interpretation of the law.)