Treasury and Resources
Ministerial Decision Report
Increase in school fees for Jersey College for Girls (“JCG”) and JCG Preparatory School (“JCGP”) – Academic year 2015-2016
- Purpose of Report
To enable the Minister for Treasury and Resources to approve the fees for the 2016-17 academic year proposed by the governing body of Jersey College for Girls and JCG Preparatory School.
- Background
Article 13a of the Education (Jersey) Law 1999 requires that: “Each year, subject to the approval of the Minister, the governing body for Jersey College for Girls and JCG Preparatory School shall set fees for the provision of education in each of those schools”.
Further to decisions of the schools governing body the approval of the Minister for Education was sought for an increase in respect of the academic year 2016-2017, as follows:
School | 2016-2017 Request (per term) | 2015-2016 Approved (per term) | % increase |
Jersey College for Girls | £1,653 | £1,575 | 4.95% |
JCG Preparatory | £1,568 | £1,494 | 4.95% |
The justification for the increase in fees was set out in a letter from the Chair of the Board of Governors to the Minister for Education dated 2nd February 2016 and at a subsequent meeting with the Minister for Education on 8th February 2016. In particular:
- The governors remain committed to providing an excellent education for the schools’ students in a cost effective manner and are mindful of the need for the overall level of fees to be within the reach of the majority of parents in Jersey. Maximum possible cost savings have already been identified to mitigate fee increases;
- Present forecasts are based on the current States Employment Board pay award of 1% for the financial year 2016, although this has yet to be agreed;
- 2016 marks the culmination of the occupancy charge which was introduced in 2011 at £40,000 per annum. This charge has increased to £240,000 per annum over the six years to 2016 and has effectively reduced the subsidy over the same period by 7.3% and 9.4% respectively for JCG and JCGP.
- In line with the JCG Capital Investment Programme, fee increases will enable the schools, alongside support from the JCG Foundation, to fund future capital projects including extension of classroom floor space and over the next two to three years the creation of a playing field and an extension to music facilities;
- A limit of 2.5% in the JCG and JCGP fee increases would result in unacceptable budget deficits for the years 2016 and 2017;
- JCG and JCGP fees at the new level will continue to be the lowest fees charged by the Islands fee paying schools.
The Jersey Retail Price Index increased by 0.9% in the 12 months to 31 December 2015.
A summary of fee increases over the past three years is as follows:
2015
The schools continue to face the same pressures: pay awards, retail price inflation, occupancy charge, funding for capital projects and investment in teaching resources and standards.
School | 2015-2016 (per term) | 2014-2015 (per term) | % increase |
Jersey College for Girls | £1,575 | £1,500 | 5.00% |
JCG Preparatory | £1,494 | £1,424 | 4.91% |
In 2015, additional fee income was used to support the development of a variety of areas across the College. A relatively substantial amount was transferred to capital to support the developments identified in the College’s Six Year Strategy with specific emphasis placed upon the creation of vital playing field space. In addition, investment was made in resources necessary to deliver the New Curriculum and the hard and software identified in the Schools’ IT Strategy/Business Plan. Additionally, at JCG Prep, a joint project with the PTA to enhance the Outdoor Learning area was completed. At JCG, significant investment was made in the refurbishment of the sixth form study areas and investment in new equipment within the Physics department. It was necessary to make further additions to the Student Support Team who provide support to students facing significant concerns regarding their wellbeing and mental health.
2014
School | 2014-2015 (per term) | 2013-2014 (per term) | % increase |
Jersey College for Girls | £1,500 | £1,430 | 4.90% |
JCG Preparatory | £1,424 | £1,356 | 5.01% |
At JCG Prep in 2014, the first major investment was made following the completion of the IT Business Plan and additional funds were used to support the changes in the Curriculum. The preliminary investigations regarding the vision to develop the Reception provision was funded by the school. Additional refurbishments were also undertaken in a number of areas throughout the school. At JCG, investment was made in staffing. The College’s business case to recruit six additional teachers was accepted by the Education Department and allowed the College to ensure the increase in the number of students was met by the continued requirement to be taught by subject specialists. Significant investment was also made within our IT provision and in line with our strategy and business plan; namely the replacement of out of scope stock and additional equipment within the student study areas.
2013
School | 2013-2014 (per term) | 2012-2013 (per term) | % increase |
Jersey College for Girls | £1,430 | £1,395 | 2.51% |
JCG Preparatory | £1,356 | £1,307 | 3.75% |
In 2013, the fee increases enhanced our overall financial situation in line with the vision that was foreseen in the forthcoming short term budgeting period. It provided the opportunity to increase our support staff provision, enhance curriculum development and provided the opportunity to develop our school site with particular emphasis on Safeguarding.
- Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the fee increases set out by the governing body for Jersey College for Girls and JCG Preparatory School as follows:
- JCG increase of 5.0% to £1,575 per term.
- JCGP increase of 4.91% to £1,494 per term.
- Reason for Decision
To meet the requirements of Financial Direction 4.1 “Increases in States Fees and Charges”. Paragraph 5.2 states: “The Anti-Inflation Strategy states that increases in States fees and charges should be limited to 2.5% per annum with compelling cases to be subject to the prior approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources (previously the Finance and Economics Committee)”.
A decision to increase the JCG and JCGP school fees for the academic year 2016-2017 was signed by the Minister for Education (MD-ESC-2016-0012) on 17th March 2016.
- Resource Implications
The fee increase for JCG is forecast to result in additional income of £58,000 for 2016 and £182,000 for 2017 (based on an indicative fee increase of 4.96% for 2017-18). The fee increase for JCGP is forecast to result in additional income of £28,000 for 2016 and £88,000 for 2017 (based on an indicative fee increase of 4.97% for 2017-18).
Report author : Head of Finance - Education | Document date 17th March 2016 |
Quality Assurance / Review : Head of Decision Support | File name and path: L:\Treasury\Sections\Corporate Finance\Ministerial Decisions\DS, WR and SD\2016-0028 - JCG & JCGP Fees Increase |
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