Question about deposit / term's notice for private school

[EldonAve]

We have paid a deposit for a private school place
Paperwork stated you lose the deposit if you cancel with a full term's notice
ie Easter for Sept start
Otherwise you owe them a full term's fees (minus the deposit)

So can you cancel anytime before the term starts in Sept without incurring any other costs?

[Legacy]

I doubt it - our school requires you to give a FULL term's notice, otherwise you are committed to paying a term of fees.

I would imagine you are now committed to the first term's fees whatever...

It's done on the basis that schools will say it takes them at least a term to fill the place.

[EldonAve]

Sorry if it wasn't clear

If I cancel now I will owe them a full term's fees minus the deposit

If I cancel the day before term starts in Sept will they want any more money?

[EldonAve]

anyone?

[SueW]

I would expect

if you cancelled before the first day of this term, you would lose your deposit.

If you cancel now, you will owe a term's fees.

DD's place requires two term's notice because she has a scholarship. That means that on the second day of any term, we are already liable for a full year's fees.

[EldonAve]

Thanks

And if I cancel 1 Sept with term starting 9 Sept I would still only owe one term's fees?

Will there be anyone at the school to receive my notice over the summer?

[SueW]

Yes, if you cancel 1 Sept, term starting 9 Sept, I would expect under most school contracts you would be liable for only one term's fees.

But really you should

• check your contract or
• ring the school and check

At DD's school the bursar's staff is in all year round.

But it will depend on the size of the school. If it's a small, privately owned school (DD's isn't; it has about 1200 pupils aged 3-18) it may shut down completely during the school holidays.

[EldonAve]

Thanks I have checked the contract