| Version | Effective | Next review |
| 2.1 | 28 Oct 24 | 1 Apr 25 |
1. Definitions
- Squadron: Refers to 2497 (Cosford) Squadron Air Training Corps. This includes our Trustees who are referred to as “Civilian Welfare Committee” or “Civilian Committee.”
- Cadet: Denotes a young person who is a member of the squadron.
- Cadet Subscriptions: Also referred to as “Subscriptions,” “Fees,” or “Subs.” This term signifies the amount of money paid to the squadron per cadet, by their registered parent/carer.
- Online Payment Platform: Represents the system employed by the squadron to facilitate Subscriptions payments. A parent/guardian for each cadet will be invited to the platform during the cadet onboarding process. Our current platform is ParentPay which can be accessed at parentpay.com. If a parent/guardian is unable to use the platform, squadron bank account details will be provided upon request for a manual bank transfer to be completed.
- Cooling Off Period: Typically four weeks commencing from the first night that a cadet is invited to attend the squadron as part of their cohort of new cadets. The exact dates are communicated during one post-onboarding email sent to the parent/guardian of a new cadet. During the Cooling Off Period, Subscriptions are not payable.
- Contact and Communications: Refers to the utilisation of parent/guardian contact details provided during the cadet onboarding process. This includes emails, phone calls, and SMS text messages. Emails will be sent using @rafac.mod.gov.uk email addresses, and from 2497.cosford.squadron.atc@notifications.service.gov.uk.
2. Subscriptions
- Each cadet on our books incurs a fee that covers insurance and administrative costs. The squadron is invoiced for this amount regardless of whether we have received payment for Subscriptions from a parent/guardian.
- Subs are also essential to supporting our squadron’s operations and the opportunities we provide. As a non-profit organisation, we offer opportunities at a greatly reduced cost when compared to commercial providers.
- Subs become payable from the point a cadet joins, following their Cooling Off Period.
- Subs are mandatory regardless of a cadet’s attendance at the squadron and other RAF Air Cadets activities.
- Subs are owed up until a cadet is discharged, and any issued uniform is returned to a member of staff at the squadron.
3. Amount
- As of 1 April 2024, Cadet Subscriptions are £140 per financial year, 1 April to 31 March. This amount is reviewed annually and is subject to change at the Civilian Welfare Committee’s discretion.
- From 1 April 2025, Cadet Subscriptions are £145 per financial year, 1 April to 31 March. This amount is reviewed annually and is subject to change at the Civilian Welfare Committee’s discretion.
4. Payment
- Parents/guardians are notified of the owed amount (3. Amount) via email at least one calendar month before the amount is due.
- Payments can be made through our Online Payment Platform.
- We offer the following payment options for Subscriptions:
- Annual Payment: settle a cadet’s Subscriptions in full for the entire financial year. This is due at the start of the financial year, on 1 April.
- Two-Instalments: Alternatively, you can choose to make two payments. The first payment is due at the start of the financial year, on 1 April. The second instalment is due halfway through the financial year, on 1 October.
- We understand that individual circumstances can vary, and we aim to be flexible to accommodate your needs. If paying the full amount by the specified date is challenging, please contact the squadron as soon as possible.
5. Non-payment
- If Subscriptions are not paid by the dates included in 4. Payment, the following will apply:
- One calendar month of non-payment: the cadet’s parent/guardian will be contacted with a prompt to make payment.
- Two calendar months of non-payment: following the one-month prompt, if no response is received from the cadet’s parent/carer, regrettably, the cadet may be discharged from the squadron.
6. Contacting the squadron about Subscriptions
- In the first instance, contact the Officer Commanding at oc.2497@rafac.mod.gov.uk or the Treasurer at treasurer.2497@rafac.mod.gov.uk ensuring the email subject includes Subscriptions.
- You may also reach out to the Adjutant at adj.2497@rafac.mod.gov.uk or any other member of staff at 2497@rafac.mod.gov.uk ensuring the email subject includes Subscriptions.
- Alternatively, you can phone the squadron on 01902 377190 on Wednesday and Friday between 7pm and 9pm.