Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy with regard to parents of state funded schools being asked to provide funding to support the operations of those schools.

The department is committed to ensuring that state education remains free for school age children.

Schools cannot charge for education provided during the school day. Schools are also unable to charge for education outside of the school day where that education is provided in pursuance of a duty to provide the national curriculum, as part of a prescribed public examination or part of religious studies.

Nothing in legislation prohibits schools from asking parents for donations for any school activity. However, it must be clear that the request is voluntary and children must not be treated differently based on whether or not they made a contribution.