School starts charging parents if they turn up late to get their children

A primary school has launched war against parents by charging them if they pick up their children late.

Teachers at St Peter’s Church of England Primary School in Folkestone, Kent, said parents turning up late means they are unable to get on with their work.

In a newsletter headteacher Toni Browne warned under the rules the students will be placed in afterschool club and parents charged £6 for the privilege.

She wrote: ‘We have an increasing number of children who are being collected late at the end of the day, without the office being informed or any apology to staff.

‘Staff have work to complete once children have been dismissed and arriving late to collect your child prevents staff from being able to get on with their work.

‘From Term 2, children who are collected late from school on more than one occasion, will be put into after school club and a fee of £6.00 will apply.

‘We understand that occasionally lateness can’t be avoided and in these cases it is important you call the school office, so we know you are running late.’

Folkestone Harbour ward councillor Nicola Keen backed the move and said: ‘I don’t think this is unreasonable as children can be very anxious if their parents are late to pick them up.

‘It does not take long for parents to let the school know if they are going to be late. I just encourage all parents to communicate clearly with them.

‘I would be very surprised if the school would actually have to enforce this.

‘The pastoral care within this school is absolutely amazing.’

Kent County Council confirmed no parents have been charged since the new rules were introduced.

A spokesperson said: ‘Parents were informed at the start of November 2023 that pupils who are collected late from school on more than one occasion, will be put into afterschool club and a fee of £6 may be applied.

‘The school appreciates that there may be occasions where late collection is unavoidable and simply asks that parents keep the school informed.

‘The school works closely with parents and since this announcement was made no parent has been asked to make such a payment.’

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