Four Oaks School Before And After Care Scheme (Fosbacs)
Charity 1181018
http://www.fouroaksprimary.bham.sch.uk/parents/fosbacs
Overview
Summary
FOSBACS appears to be a school-embedded childcare organisation whose role is broader than supervision alone: it enables families to use a primary school day around working hours while framing play, care and inclusion as part of children’s development. Its operating model is closely dependent on Four Oaks Primary School’s premises, timetable and parent community. The available evidence suggests a practical, fee-based service with some capacity flexibility, but offers little insight into demand, affordability or reach beyond the school community.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Sutton Four Oaks
Confidence: high
Direct current evidence places the scheme's sole identified delivery site in the Acorn Suite and grounds of Four Oaks Primary School, which Birmingham City Council records as being in Sutton Four Oaks ward. The organisation's stated purpose is specifically limited to before- and after-school provision for pupils at that school.
- Charity Commission for England and Wales, charity 1181018 overview and 2025 reporting
FOSBACS is described as an 80-place wrap-around care scheme serving Four Oaks Primary School in Sutton Coldfield, operating in the Acorn Suite section of the school and its grounds. Its charitable objects specify provision for children before and after school at Four Oaks Primary School. - Four Oaks Primary School, FOSBACS webpage
The school currently advertises FOSBACS as a before- and after-school club offered at the school, with morning provision from 7.30am and evening provision until 6pm. - Birmingham City Council, Four Oaks Primary School directory record
Four Oaks Primary School is recorded as being in Sutton Four Oaks ward.
Remaining uncertainties
- The available evidence identifies no additional delivery sites, outreach activity or formal partner-delivered services beyond Four Oaks Primary School.
- It is not evidenced whether children attending the club live outside Sutton Four Oaks; this would indicate beneficiary catchment rather than additional operational locations.
- The school is the host venue and the scheme's service setting, but the available sources do not set out the formal nature or terms of the operational relationship between FOSBACS and the school.
Additional evidence needed
- A current FOSBACS annual report, service plan or trustee report confirming whether it operates any provision away from Four Oaks Primary School.
- Confirmation from FOSBACS of any active delivery partnerships, satellite provision or holiday-club locations.
Areas of work
- Education/training
Who they help
- Children/young People
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A bridge between school and working-family life
FOSBACS appears to extend the usable school day substantially, making it a piece of family-support infrastructure as well as an educational charity. Its early opening and evening provision may be particularly important for parents whose work does not align with standard school hours.
Why it matters
This positions the organisation within the local care economy: its value may lie partly in enabling parental employment and reducing daily coordination pressures, not only in the activities provided to children.
Show evidence
“The club operates from 7.30 a.m. in the morning and up until 6.00 p.m. in the evening.”
Source:Organisation“The charity provides for children’s needs both before and after school.”
Source:Charity Commission
Deeply embedded in one school community
FOSBACS appears to operate as a place-based extension of Four Oaks Primary School rather than as an independent provider serving multiple sites. Its access to school space and grounds may be a significant operational strength, while also making it reliant on that institutional relationship.
Why it matters
Understanding this dependence helps distinguish FOSBACS from wider-area childcare providers and raises useful questions about resilience, governance and whether its benefits are accessible beyond enrolled pupils.
Show evidence
“It operates in the Acorn Suite section of Four Oaks Primary School.”
Source:Organisation“The children are looked after by playworkers either inside or in the school's extensive grounds.”
Source:Organisation
An inclusive mission alongside a paid-access model
There is a potentially important tension between the charity’s commitment to opportunities regardless of means and the published session, food and late-collection charges. The evidence does not show whether subsidies, discounts or other access support exist.
Why it matters
This is a key question for understanding who can benefit in practice. A service can be formally inclusive while still being less accessible to families facing financial pressure or unstable work patterns.
Show evidence
“The charity offers opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability.”
Source:Charity Commission“Charges from September 2025 range from £2.81 for a morning session to £12.93 for care until 6 p.m.”
Source:Organisation“Late pick-up charges are £1.00 per minute, per child, after 6 p.m.”
Source:Organisation
- Whether FOSBACS offers financial support, reduced fees or funded places for families unable to pay charges.
- Whether the 80-place capacity meets demand, and which children or families are least able to access places.
- How the charity is governed and how independent it is from Four Oaks Primary School.
Remaining uncertainties
- Admissions, waiting-list, occupancy and attendance data, including use by session and family circumstances.
- Policies or accounts showing fee support, funding sources, staffing arrangements and the relationship with the school.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
FOSBACS (Four Oaks School Before and After Care Scheme) is an 80 place wrap-a-round care scheme that serves Four Oaks Primary School in Sutton Coldfield. It operates from 7.30am until 9am, and then from 3.20pm until 6pm each day. It operates in the Acorn Suite section of Four Oaks Primary School. The children are looked after by playworkers either inside or in the school's extensive grounds.
Charity objects
TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION OF CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 4 AND 11 BY PROVIDING FOR THEIR NEEDS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AT FOUR OAKS PRIMARY SCHOOL. TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE PLAY, EDUCATION AND CARE FACILITIES DURING OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS, ENSURING THAT WE OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL CHILDREN WHATEVER THEIR RACE, CULTURE, RELIGION, MEANS OR ABILITY. TO ENHANCE THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE PERSONS IN THE PROVISION OF SUCH CARE, EDUCATION AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.