Funding, Fees, Free?

What are your fees?

Nothing.
Although we are classed as an independent and separate to the Local Education Authority (West Sussex), our fees are paid directly by central government. This covers our costs as a school, and we expect to do some additional fundraising as a charity. Should your child be offered a place you would not have to pay any school fees.  We are government funded, under the Free Schools policy.

Would I be asked to pay for anything else?
There will be things you would be asked to pay for. There will be help for those who can't afford it (those eligible for free school meals) for those things which aren't optional. Parents should never feel they are unable to afford to send their child due to finances, please speak to the Headteacher in confidence as we do have bursaries for school uniform, and free school meals for those eligible.

Examples of voluntary contributions:
Voluntary contribution to the school fund
Voluntary contribution to school trips (optional but the trip may not be able to run if we aren't able to raise funds)
Voluntary spending at school events e.g. buying things at the Christmas Fete

There are a small number of things we are able to charge for, as in any other government funded school. Examples include:
School Meals (unless you are eligible for free school meals in which case these are totally free)
Uniform (unless you are eligible for free school meals, in which case the school would provide a uniform bursary)

Fundraising 
We do expect fundraising to be an important activity for us, like many schools. You can support the school by finding creative ways to raise money. Perhaps you could ask your company to sponsor a trip, or make items, sell them and donate the profits.

Donate a book
We are developing a 'donate a book' scheme. Parents, companies, alumni, and local people will be able to donate money for a book and we will put a message and plate inside the book saying who purchased it. You can request a specific book or type of book to be bought if you wish.

Second Hand Books
If you have good quality books, which your children have grown out of, please consider donating them to the school. We can never have too many!