PARENTS > GOVERNORS FUND

The Board of Governors of St. Mary Abbots school, like all Church of England Voluntary-Aided Schools, has financial responsibilities it must carry out by law:
1. LDBS MAINTENANCE FUND:
We are required to pay a Capitation Charge for each child in our school (whether their family has contributed or not) to the London Diocesan Board for Schools Maintenance Fund. In return, the LDBS gives us vital support and advice and supports the payment of 90% of major building work. In fact, in recent years, our school has benefitted from very large capital sums spent on significant improvements to our buildings. For example: the new research room/library, refurbishment to Class 3, upstairs toilets, domestic science room, new Reception Class Room, the new dining room, new kitchen the list goes on!
2. 10% OF MAJOR BUILDING COSTS:
This is quite separate from, and additional to, the annual capitation charge. Also, in the course of the year, the Governors are responsible for non-statutory items that they consider on a case-by-case basis.
For example, the Governors annually purchase Bibles for Year 6 Leavers¹ Gifts.
In order that we can meet these obligations the Governors request all school families to make a regular, voluntary contribution, on which we claim gift aid where possible, to the Governors Fund. We suggest a minimum donation of £15 per term per child or £45 per school year, although many families do give more. (NB - the Governors have no other source of income).
This sum will ensure that we can balance our books for all foreseeable ordinary expenses. Families who cannot afford to pay as much as this are invited to contribute what they can afford. But the simple fact is that the vast majority of our school families are, relatively speaking, reasonably comfortably off and can well afford this contribution that directly improves their child/children's education. Children of families who cannot donate are not disadvantaged in any way, of course.
We welcome any form of contribution upfront, termly or monthly. You may find it convenient to download the standing order mandate to send to your bank. Please also ensure that you complete a gift aid form (coming soon) which must be returned to the school office in order for us to maximise your donation. Alternatively, you can pay your governors’ fund contribution through School Gateway, the schools’ online payment system .
Please feel free to contact the Head Teacher, or the school office with any questions you may have.
Fr Gillean Craig, Chairman of Governors
1. LDBS MAINTENANCE FUND:
We are required to pay a Capitation Charge for each child in our school (whether their family has contributed or not) to the London Diocesan Board for Schools Maintenance Fund. In return, the LDBS gives us vital support and advice and supports the payment of 90% of major building work. In fact, in recent years, our school has benefitted from very large capital sums spent on significant improvements to our buildings. For example: the new research room/library, refurbishment to Class 3, upstairs toilets, domestic science room, new Reception Class Room, the new dining room, new kitchen the list goes on!
2. 10% OF MAJOR BUILDING COSTS:
This is quite separate from, and additional to, the annual capitation charge. Also, in the course of the year, the Governors are responsible for non-statutory items that they consider on a case-by-case basis.
For example, the Governors annually purchase Bibles for Year 6 Leavers¹ Gifts.
In order that we can meet these obligations the Governors request all school families to make a regular, voluntary contribution, on which we claim gift aid where possible, to the Governors Fund. We suggest a minimum donation of £15 per term per child or £45 per school year, although many families do give more. (NB - the Governors have no other source of income).
This sum will ensure that we can balance our books for all foreseeable ordinary expenses. Families who cannot afford to pay as much as this are invited to contribute what they can afford. But the simple fact is that the vast majority of our school families are, relatively speaking, reasonably comfortably off and can well afford this contribution that directly improves their child/children's education. Children of families who cannot donate are not disadvantaged in any way, of course.
We welcome any form of contribution upfront, termly or monthly. You may find it convenient to download the standing order mandate to send to your bank. Please also ensure that you complete a gift aid form (coming soon) which must be returned to the school office in order for us to maximise your donation. Alternatively, you can pay your governors’ fund contribution through School Gateway, the schools’ online payment system .
Please feel free to contact the Head Teacher, or the school office with any questions you may have.
Fr Gillean Craig, Chairman of Governors