A guide for parents and carers on admissions to Secondary School

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, CHARGINGAND GENERAL INFORMATIONCharging <strong>for</strong> school activitiesNo charge may be made <strong>for</strong> school activitiesby Reading Borough Council or the schoolgovernors unless it is already provided <strong>for</strong> ina statement of policy on charging <strong>and</strong> theremission of charges. Such statements willalso usually cover arrangements <strong>for</strong> thefinancing of school activities by means ofvoluntary contributions.Charging <strong>for</strong> public examinationsNo charge will generally be made <strong>for</strong> publicexaminations <strong>for</strong> which pupils are preparedby the school. However, the fee may berecovered if the pupil fails, without goodreason, to complete the examinationrequirements, or if the pupil is required tore-sit an examination.Help with buying school uni<strong>for</strong>mReading Borough Council does not give helpwith buying school uni<strong>for</strong>ms. Many schoolssell uni<strong>for</strong>ms. Both new <strong>and</strong> nearly newuni<strong>for</strong>ms can often be bought at reasonableprices.There are two charitable foundationsadministered in Reading that may help withbuying school uni<strong>for</strong>ms. These areadministered by The Clerk to the Charities<strong>and</strong> you can get an application <strong>for</strong>m from:The Clerk to the CharitiesSt Mary’s Church HouseChain StreetReadingRG1 2HXThe Clerk to the Charities:(0118) 957 1057Applicants must be attending a secondaryschool <strong>and</strong> live in the Borough of Reading.John Allen Charity is <strong>for</strong> boys only <strong>and</strong> theGreen Girls Foundation is <strong>for</strong> girls only.Free school mealsAll schools within the Reading Borough areadeal with the administration of Free SchoolMeals <strong>for</strong> pupils in attendance. In order <strong>for</strong> apupil to qualify <strong>for</strong> Free School Meals<strong>parents</strong> must be in receipt one of thefollowing entitled benefits:-• Income Support• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance• An invoice related EmploymentSupport Allowance• Child Tax Credit, provided they or apartner do not also receive WorkingTax Credit <strong>and</strong> have an annualhousehold income, as assessed by theInl<strong>and</strong> Revenue, below £16,190• Guarantee element of State PensionCredit• Support under part V1 of theImmigration <strong>and</strong> Asylum Act 1999.Children who receive IS or IBJSA in their ownright are also entitled to receive Free SchoolMeals. If you are unsure as to whether or notyou qualify, you can speak to your child'sschool. In Reading the responsibility <strong>for</strong>checking eligibility rests with each school.Staff at the Civic Centre cannot assessapplications.Parents/<strong>carers</strong> must demonstrate each termthat they are receiving one of the qualifyingbenefits by showing appropriate currentdocumentary evidence to the school.For further in<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>and</strong> an application<strong>for</strong>m contact your child's school.Application <strong>for</strong>ms are available fromwww.reading.gov.uk/education<strong>and</strong>learning/grants<strong>and</strong>financialhelp69If you have any queries please contact the Admissions Team on 0118 937 2550 or email: admissions.team@reading.gov.ukApply online at www.reading.gov.uk/schooladmissions