The School

St. Joseph’s School and the Board of Governors as now or in the future constituted.

The Head

The person appointed by the Board of Governors on behalf of the Trustees as the Headmaster or Headmistress of St. Joseph’s School.

The Parent/s or Guardian/s

Those individually and jointly who have parental responsibility for the child. Parents are expected to support the aims of the School and to uphold and promote its good name, to continue the child’s education at home and to ensure that the child maintains appropriate standards of punctuality, behaviour, diligence, language, presentation, dress and discipline.

Standard Terms and Conditions

We believe that these terms and conditions reflect those of all independent schools. The rules about change, notice, fees in lieu of notice and the other rules set out below are to promote stability, forward planning and the proper resourcing and development of the School and the protection of the Governors.

The standard terms and conditions taken with the Acceptance form, the fees list and any other information issued by the school from time to time and reasonably incorporated into the contract are the basics of the agreement between the school and the parents.

The Aims of the School

We are committed to high standards of teaching and learning, and the care of our children is of paramount importance to us. The School aims to strike a balance between academic and practical work, physical education and the moral and spiritual development of the children. All children are encouraged to pursue leisure activities. We welcome parental involvement and wish to work closely with parents throughout their children’s period at the School.

Change at the School

Successful schools must both initiate and respond to change, and it is very likely that there will be at least some changes during a child’s years at the School. The offer of a place and its acceptance is made on the basis that in the interest of the School reasonable changes may be made from time to time. Fee levels will be reviewed each year. Parents will be given reasonable notice of any major changes affecting the School.

Entry to the School

When a child enters the School as a pupil it is assumed that he/she will progress throughout the school and complete his/her primary education unless this contract for his/her education is terminated in accordance with these terms and conditions.

Fees and Extras

Fees mean school fees at the rate which is set from time to time and current at the start of each term, and includes any parental contribution payable. Extras means items authorised by parents or reasonably incurred by a pupil or by the School on behalf of a pupil and normally charged as extras.

Fees are normally reviewed once per year during the spring term. Notification of any increase will normally be given before the end of the spring term and will take effect from the commencement of the autumn term.

Fees will not be refunded or waived for absence through sickness; or if a term is shortened or a vacation extended.

The pupil may be excluded from the School at any time when fees are unpaid. Money received from parents for one pupil may be applied to any other account owed by the same parent. The School may withhold information and property whenever fees are overdue. The School may disclose the fact and amount of any unpaid fees to another school which the pupil attends or proposes to attend.

Whether or not the pupil has been excluded the right is reserved to charge interest at 1.5% per month on a daily basis on unpaid fees. Interest will start to run on the second day of default.

The School may add to the account of the pupil the costs of all professional advice obtained by the School in relation to any matter of exclusion for or recovery of unpaid fees and the administration costs of the School in relation to unpaid fees.

Withdrawal from the School

Parents must give a term’s written notice before withdrawing a pupil from the School, or a term’s fees will be payable in lieu.

Concerns/complaints

If parents should have cause for serious concern in relation to the care, discipline or progress of a pupil they must inform the Head without delay.

Attendance and Health

Unless prevented by illness or agreed by the head each pupil is required to attend school daily and take part in all activities of the school. Health education is provided including appropriate education about sex and drugs.

Back to Policies