Gifts and Hospitality Policy

On 12th July 2024, the Schools Funding Forum agreed inclusion of an additional section in the Scheme for Financing Schools regarding Gifts and Hospitality.  This was following consultation with all community, voluntary controlled and foundation schools and Pupil Referral Units between Wednesday 24th April and Wednesday 8th May 2024, and detailed discussion with a subgroup of the Funding Forum.

The additional section of 2.18 Gifts and Hospitality of the Scheme for Financing Schools is intended to ensure openness, transparency and accountability for funds delegated to maintained schools.  To support this, a model Gifts and Hospitality Policy has been drafted which can be amended by individual schools to fit their circumstances provided it meets the requirements set out by the Scheme.

The rules relating to procurement and approval for spend is set out within the Scheme for Financing Schools and schools will have set their own thresholds within their own Finance Policy.  The rules set out in relation to Gifts and Hospitality relating to approval for spend on this specific category require approval for all amounts regardless of those limits set by the Finance Policy.