Copy of the correspondence sent to Fife Council: 

Dear Lee

Thank you for your previous correspondence (below) regarding Mix Up Theatre and Fife Council’s school let policy for extracurricular clubs.
 
I have now had the opportunity to discuss your response with the representative from Mix Up Theatre, and there are several points that require further clarification.
 
I have been advised that Council documents confirm that external providers are permitted to deliver extracurricular activities in schools, with contractual arrangements existing between the provider and parents. This is standard practice across Scotland and is essential to ensuring children have access to a diverse range of arts, sports, and interest-based opportunities.
 
Mix Up Theatre, along with other organisations, has delivered extracurricular clubs in numerous Scottish schools, including several in Fife, for over a decade. In other local authority areas, these activities are supported through free or low-cost lets, enabling families to access affordable opportunities. There is concern that Fife Council’s decision to impose school let fees solely because the provider charges a small cost to families is inconsistent with approaches taken by other councils and creates avoidable financial barriers.
 
Additionally, I am advised that Fife Council currently charges £50 per week for the use of a school hall for two drama classes, amounting to £1,950 per year. This additional cost is passed directly onto families and has already resulted in the cancellation of at least one club, as the higher fees made participation unaffordable.
 
This appears to run counter to the Scottish Government’s Cost of the School Day guidance, which encourages local authorities to remove financial barriers to participation in school-based activities.
 
You noted that let charges cover administration and janitorial costs. However, many clubs operate during lunchtime or immediately after school, when janitorial staff are already present. Administration is also a one-off verification process rather than an ongoing weekly cost.
 
Furthermore, if a club is offered free to families, the Council waives the fees entirely. It is unclear why the Council incurs no cost in such cases but incurs cost only when families pay a small fee.
 
I also understand that other councils allow schools, headteachers, or parent councils to approve internal lets at no cost when the club is provided specifically for pupils of that school. This enables schools to support a broad range of affordable extracurricular opportunities.
 
Fife Council’s school let documentation includes a no-charge category for:
 - educational purposes outwith the school programme
 - extracurricular activities
 - PTA and Parent Council use
 - after-school care and breakfast clubs
 
It is therefore unclear why extracurricular clubs delivered by external specialists for the benefit of the school’s own pupils do not fall under this definition, particularly when they support learning, wellbeing, and development.
 
I would be very grateful if you could consider the concerns raised and review this policy

Kind regards
Willie 

Fife Council response...

"There is no Scottish Government Policy on School Lets. Each Local Authority determines its fees each year. There is no need for Fife Education Services to change the policy regarding school lets."