Education - core curriculum charges removal: guidance

Introduction

In 2021 Scottish Ministers and COSLA agreed a policy ending the charges sometimes levied on pupils in public schools for participation in core curriculum subjects. The policy of removing core curriculum charges removed limitations on participation by pupils whose families are not able to meet such costs. This guidance does not signal any changes to the existing policy. It aims to build on the guidance in the initial circular for local authorities which issued on when the policy was introduced.

We will review this non-statutory guidance after one year.

Aims and scope of funding

Historically charges have sometimes been levied on children and young people in primary and secondary schools for participation in the core curriculum. These charges can add to pressures on families from the cost of the school day and lead to associated negative outcomes.

The Scottish Government and COSLA continue to support the removal of core curriculum costs for all public primary and secondary pupils. This maintains the position that families do not have to meet the costs of resources and materials for practical lessons. It removes cost as a factor when pupils are making choices about their education.

Individual public schools and local authorities know their pupils, families and local areas and will already have strategies in place to manage many of these costs.  They will also have strategies in place to avoid stigmatising pupils or families where any charges are in place.

This guidance provides clarity on what the curriculum charges funding should cover. It also details where areas may be covered by other funding mechanisms or where local authorities may wish to charge the majority of pupils.

The scope of the policy to remove core curriculum charges includes:

• class based activity within the 8 core curriculum areas in the broad general education in public primary and secondary schools, as well as interdisciplinary learning activities being delivered as part of the core curriculum, for example in relation to Learning for Sustainability
• activity associated with preparation for courses or qualifications which form part of a public school’s ‘core offer’ in the senior phase, for example SQA qualifications or Foundation Apprenticeships

Items and materials within the scope of this policy include, but are not limited to:

• all ingredients and materials required for home economics
• all art materials
• all materials required for craft, design, engineering and graphic subjects
• scientific calculators for secondary school pupils
• theatre trips associated with SQA drama qualifications
• the purchase of recorders where this is required for a class-based learning experience in primary schools provision of specialist equipment to support classroom learning during themed weeks (e.g. donations for participation in STEM week)

The following areas are outside the scope of this policy (but may be covered by other policy areas):

• after-school clubs, including associated transport
• school trips that are not related to the core curriculum or preparation for qualifications which form part of a public school’s ‘core offer’ in the senior phase
• school uniform and PE kit, which is covered by the school clothing grant (further information is available in guidance for schools and education authorities on school uniform and clothing)
• access to digital devices
• optional instrumental music tuition which is covered under a separate funding arrangement
• foundation Apprenticeships or other Developing the Young Workforce activity where other local or national funding sources are available

Specific examples

In line with the agreement between Scottish Government and COSLA, some specific examples of items and materials that are, or are not included within the scope of this policy are set out below. (It should be noted that the provision of some of these may be covered by other law, policy or funding arrangements, see further below):

Specific examples included in this policy:

• disposable/single use materials for home economics (including for those with specific dietary requirements/allergies), outdoor learning, art and technology subjects, e.g. ingredients, wood, paints, specialist paper, art portfolios for coursework entry/similar, single use containers
• scientific calculators for secondary pupils should not be charged for, however this does not prevent any lending arrangements which schools may have in place for these
• theatre trips for SQA drama qualifications, where this is a mandatory course requirement
• recorders where required for class-based learning in primary schools
• other music materials required to participate in curriculum music lessons
• specialist equipment to support classroom learning for themed weeks or events, e.g. STEM week, Black History Month
• where elements of the curriculum are delivered off site, for example where public schools choose to provide swimming lessons as part of core PE, there should be no additional charge for pupils, including for transport costs
• transport for college courses or split site school courses (where these are not covered by separate funding to support Developing the Young Workforce activity)
• charges for costumes or scenery for school shows where these are part of the curriculum (e.g. in primary or senior phase)

Specific examples not included in this policy:

• multiple use equipment and clothing, e.g. P.E. kit, school uniform, aprons, outdoor learning clothing and equipment, safety glasses, mixing bowls
• access to devices, e.g. laptops/tablets, micro:bits (pocket sized computer)
• school trips in broad general education (BGE), school trips that are not a mandatory course requirement for qualifications e.g. theatre trips for English, geography and modern studies fieldwork or trips
• other musical instrument costs for optional instrumental music tuition or non-curricular music related clubs
• for example, sheet music, reeds, strings, etc. for instruments. Where these relate to optional instrumental music tuition it is recommended that these costs should be covered under separate funding for optional instrumental music tuition
• textbooks, language dictionaries, school planners
• after-school clubs and associated transport
• transport associated with optional transition activities
• optional coursework return costs, for example for the return of art coursework after marking

Other funding and discretionary charging

Areas which are covered by other policies and available funding include:

• school clothing grants which are available to low-income families to help with the cost of clothing and footwear for school
• free school meals which are available to all children in P1 to P5 and to those eligible for support in P6 to S6
• optional instrumental music tuition and instrument costs
• Pupil Equity Funding – although Pupil Equity Funding is allocated on the basis of free school meal registration, headteachers can use their professional judgement to identify children in their school who might require support with costs not covered by other funding or entitlements, including for breakfast clubs or similar activities, with the aim of closing the poverty-related attainment gap
• public transport should be used whenever this is practical for any off-site transport, and schools may wish to encourage pupils to take advantage of the free bus travel entitlement for those under the age of 22 within Scotland

Areas which public schools and local authorities have discretion to charge for include:

• school trips where these are not required in senior phase qualification/course specifications
• transport to sporting events/competitions
• team clothing for sports teams
• non-curricular activities and after school clubs
• ‘prom’ and related activities including transport

Relevant legislation

This section briefly sets out statutory functions of education authorities that are, or may be, relevant to the subject matter of this guidance. This guidance does not affect the operation of those provisions, and education authorities should take such advice as they may require in relation to these matters.   

• Section 11(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (“the 1980 Act”) stipulates that education authorities are to provide free of charge for all pupils belonging to their area who are given free education books, writing materials, stationery, mathematical instruments, practice material and other articles which are necessary to enable the pupils to take full advantage of the education provided. Under that section, education authorities may also make similar provision, with or without charge, for other pupils resident in their area and attending any school or other educational establishment.
• Section 54(1) of the 1980 Act provides that where it is brought to the notice of an education authority that a pupil attending a public school does not have adequate or suitable clothing to take full advantage of the education provided, the education authority must make such provision to ensure the pupil is “sufficiently and suitably clad” during the period the pupil is attending school.
• Under the 1980 Act, education authorities may provide clothing to pupils who are boarders, or pupils who are attending nursery schools or classes under their management (section 54(3)); special clothing (for example, laboratory wear, aprons, outdoor learning clothing) or PE clothing to pupils in attendance at public schools or other educational establishments under their management (under section 11(2)); and make arrangements for clothing for pupils who are attending independent schools where appropriate (section 55(b)).
• Section 6(1)(b) of the 1980 Act provides that education authorities may organise holiday classes, games expeditions and other activities for the purpose of securing the provision of facilities for social, cultural and recreative activities and physical education and training.
• Section 51(1)(a) of the 1980 Act provides that an education authority may make such arrangements for the conveyance of pupils without charge for the whole or part of the journey between their homes and the schools or other educational establishments which they are attending as considered necessary.

Resources

The following resources support schools to make best use of the funding available to them, reduce costs and make sure everyone can fully take part in their school day.

• How good is our school? (4th edition)
• Pupil Equity Funding: national operational guidance 2023
• School uniform and clothing guidance
• Local authority devolved school management schemes
• Child Poverty Action Group - Cost of the School Day Ideas Bank