Hillmorton Fees May Be Higher

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30741, 4 May 1965, Page 18

Hillmorton Fees May Be Higher

There was talk of a 100 per cent increase in Hillmorton High School fees—at present £2 a year—when the board of governors met last evening.

The Parent-Teacher Association was considering the provision of a gymnasium, and might wish to raise £4OOO in two years by a levy on parents, it was said. With 500 pupils, this would involve an increase of £2 a year, either by fee or levy. The board was discussing the wording of part of its 1966 prospectus in relation to school fees.

tFees may be set by secondary school boards for expenditure on sports equipment, stationery, and school amenities. There appears to be no limit in law to the amount of fees which a board can impose.] “No statement can be made at this stage of what the fees will be next year," said the chairman of the board, Miss R F. C. Tyndall. “The object is to leave a loophole whereby the board can put them up after the prospectus is printed.” “We could leave the fees as they are, and perhaps have an additional levy—not call it fees at all,” she said. Professor B. P. Philpott thought it would be misleading to say the fees were £2 a year “when they are very likely to be increased 100 per cent.”

Mr M. A. Connelly, M.P., agreed that the board should give an indication of what an increased fee, or additional levy, would be. “I think it is a good idea to give parents an indication of what their commitments will be.” he said Mrs H. T. Cahill said that having collected voluntary contributions from parents, the parents were then going to be “up in arms” at being levied further.

“If we could neglect this aspect at the moment it would be good,” said Mrs Cahill. “Asking for more money seems to me to be asking for disapproval from the parents.” Professor Philpott then moved that a clause be inserted in the prospectus saying that the board was considering an increase in fees—“without actually saying it is going to be a very considerable one,” he said. Mr C. E. Fenwick seconded.

Miss Tyndall: That seems to be steering a middle course, and keeping faith. Professor Philpott’s motion was carried without further discussion. A fee of 15s for evening classes at the school next term was also decided on—an increase of 50 per cent on last term. On school enrolments for 1966, the same procedure as last year would be followed, it was decided. Initial applications for enrolment will be received up to July 1, and enrolments for those who were not accepted at another school up to August 2. “The enrolment procedure worked satisfactorily last year, and I recommend we accept it again this year,” said the headmaster, Mr O- W. .G. Lewis, in his report to the board.