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Financial Support/Cost of Living

Financial Support/Cost of Living

Here, at Bishop Wood Junior School, we are acutely aware of the difficulties facing many of our families in terms of financial pressures. We are here to help and support and hope that the information contained within this page is supportive and useful.

The school has designated Debs Bourke as the point of contact for anyone experiencing financial difficulties. She can be contacted, in confidence, via financial.support@bishopwood.herts.sch.uk

What Support is Available?

School Day Trips/Visits

We want every child to attend school trips and visits. No child should miss out due to financial difficulty. Any money requested by the school towards a trip/visit is a voluntary contribution. If you are unable to make the voluntary contribution, please contact Debs at the above address and let her know. Bishop Wood has made a commitment to not cancel planned trips/visits due to lack of voluntary contributions.

School Residential Trips

We are here to support you with the affordability of expensive events such as school residential trips. We can set up payment plans and can also access funding to reduce the cost for those parents who are unable to meet the full cost.

Please contact Debs for advice!

Trips and Visits Overview

Below is an outline of the trips/visits which normally take place across the school year. We have put rough costings but these are only to be used as a guide.

Autumn Spring  Summer
Year 3 Chiltern Open Air Museum £20-£30

Tring Natural History Museum £0

 TBC Roald Dahl Museum £15-£20
Year 4 Neasden Temple £15 Roman Verulamium £15-£20 Woodrow Residential Visit £250
Year 5 History Off the Page – Anglo Saxons £15 Hazard Alley £22

Young Voices £5-£10

 Lee Valley Park £20
Year 6 Wise-Up Team Building £15 No Trip or Visit this term Norfolk Residential Visit £450-£500

Uniform

School uniform should not cost a fortune. Please contact Mel Matthews (our Family/Pupil Support Worker) via admin@bishopwood.herts.sch.uk if you need help with getting school uniform!

Free School Meals

If your child is eligible for free school meals, you need to get them registered. This will allow them to get a free meal at school and, as a school, we’ll get extra funding (known as the Pupil Premium) to support your child’s learning. You will also be eligible for a £3 voucher per day per child during school holidays. In total, this financial support could be worth more than £650 annually for each of  your children.

You can check your eligibility for Free School Meals via the Herts CC website here.

Are you on the correct Tax Code?

Make sure you’re on the right tax code. If you aren’t, you might be due a refund. Use the Money Saving Expert’s free tax code calculator to find out.

Free or Low Cost Food

If you’re worried about not having enough food to feed your family, you’re not alone. There are a number of places offering support.

  • DENS run a food bank at St Peter and St Paul’s Church

Cost of Living Payments

The government’s cost-of-living payments are available for those receiving certain benefits or tax credits. You don’t need to apply for these – if you’re eligible the money should go straight into your account.

If you think you’re due a payment but haven’t received one, report a missing payment to the government.

Be aware of scams! If you receive any emails, texts or phone calls asking you to fill in an application form or asking for your bank details to receive a cost-of-living payment, do not talk to them or send a reply. Get more information on cost-of-living scams on the Money Saving Expert’s website.

Further Information