Non-public funds might be called something else in your school – for example:
- Private funds
- School funds
- Unofficial funds
- Governors’ funds
For ease, we’re using ‘voluntary funds’ in this article.
Check with your LA or the DfE for the rules
Maintained schools should check with their local authority (LA) for guidance on spending their voluntary funds. A representative from the Department for Education (DfE) told us this.
Academies should contact the DfE for guidance if they have specific questions about how the funds should be spent.
Generally speaking, voluntary funds in schools should be stored securely, accounted for separately from the main school budget, and managed with clear procedures for both income and expenditure. They should be treated as public money and subject to regular audits; however, the rules may vary depending on your LA/ academy trust so be sure to check your own rules.
There's no central rule on spending voluntary funds, but any