The Education (Assisted Places) (Incidental Expenses) Regulations 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations provide for—

(a) schools to pay grants as regards incidental expenses, and to remit incidental charges, incurred in respect of pupils who are eligible to continue to hold assisted places at independent schools in England and Wales by virtue of section 2 of the Education (Schools) Act 1997, notwithstanding the abolition of the assisted places scheme by section 1 of that Act; and

(b) the Secretary of State to reimburse schools in respect of grants paid and charges remitted in accordance with the Regulations.

Part II of the Regulations requires schools to pay grant in respect of expenditure incurred by parents on clothing to be worn by an assisted pupil at school or for school activities. Grant is payable only where “the relevant income” (which is defined by reference to regulation 10 of the Education (Assisted Places) Regulations 1997) does not exceed a certain level. The means test to be applied, and the amount of grant payable, are more generous in the 1997—98 school year in the case of a child who was not an assisted pupil in an earlier school year (regulation 2).

Part III requires schools to pay grant to parents in respect of travel expenses incurred as regards an assisted pupil. Payment of grant is subject to a means test (regulation 4). Grant is payable in respect of travel between home and school, subject to certain conditions, and depending on whether the child is a day pupil, a boarder or a weekly boarder (regulations 5 to 7). Grant is also payable in respect of travel costs incurred in a visit by an assisted pupil to an institution of further or higher education (regulation 8).

Part IV requires schools to remit charges for meals consumed at school by an assisted pupil whose parents are in receipt of income support or an income-based jobseeker’s allowance (regulation 9).

Part V requires schools to remit charges for an assisted pupil, whose parents are entitled to remission of fees under the principal Regulations, in respect of a field study course forming part of a normal course of study for certain public examinations (regulation 10).

Part VI provides for—

(a) the manner of determination of questions relating to the payment of grant or remission of charges (regulation 11);

(b) certain restrictions on payment of grants and remission of charges (regulation 12);

(c) the procedure under which the Secretary of State reimburses schools for grants paid and charges remitted (regulation 13); and

(d) the Secretary of State to specify the time, manner and form in which parents of assisted pupils are to apply for grant and remission of charges (regulation 14).