| What is it? |
The building and maintenance fund
is a fund to which parents contribute
voluntarily and which is important
in keeping the school buildings
in good order and in improving
the facilities.
|
| Why do we need it? |
As St Nicholas is a Voluntary
Aided School it receives less
financial support than other schools
controlled by Surrey County Council
and, contrary to popular belief,
the school does not receive any
financial support from the church.
The County provides a limited
budget for building maintenance
costs below £2,000. Other than
these, the School is responsible
for 10% of the costs of providing,
extending, improving, repairing
and maintaining all capital items
such as the school buildings,
the playgrounds and associated
drainage, plant, fixtures and
fittings etc.
|
| Where does the money
come from? |
|
To meet these very necessary
costs, we ask parents to make
a voluntary contribution each
year to the school's Building
and Maintenance Fund. The
trustees currently recommend
a donation of £72 per child
per year. Occasionally, some
parents give more than this
and we are grateful for their
generosity. Others are not
always able to pay this much
and we are equally grateful
for smaller contributions.
The value to the school of
most contributions can be
increased by participation
in the Gift Aid scheme (see
below).
|
| Is it mandatory? |
No, it is a genuinely voluntary
contribution. However, we hope
parents will contribute, because
the continued maintenance of the
facilities depends heavily on
the fund.
|
| How can it be paid? |
Contributions can be sent to
the school in cash or by cheque
(made payable to St Nicholas Building
and Maintenance Fund) or can be
made using a Bank Standing Order
which we prefer. Contributions
can be made as a single amount
or by instalments. Forms are available
from the school office.
|
| When is it paid? |
The school typically invites
contributions at the beginning
of each school year. (The invitation
is, formally, from the Trustees
of the Fund, usually three of
the Governors).
Parents are sent a letter detailing
the suggested contribution, method
of payment, and Gift Aid information.
The School Office will generally
answer any questions.
|
| Can
it be treated as Gift Aid? |
The Gift Aid scheme increases
the value of a donation. Funds
given as 'Gift Aid' allow a charitable
organisation - including the St
Nicholas School Building and Maintenance
Fund - to claim back from the
Government some of the tax already
paid by the donor. All that is
necessary is that the donor complete
a declaration that states that
the donation should be treated
as Gift Aid. This declaration
is always included on the Fund's
payment request form as a simple
tick-box; please remember to tick
the appropriate box!
|
