Independent school deposit, advise need ASAP!

Yes, my daughter's year in a big comp, large maths and further maths contingent. I have no idea whether they ended up with As or A*s, but lots off to Warwick, Bristol plus lots of non rg unis to do engineering or maths. Maybe they all got Es in further maths who knows!

I thought number gcse started in 2017 and so this is the first year for a level results. Good to know that lots have done so well

I know plenty of kids that did further maths with an 8. One only had a 7. Not sure what they got in their As but they didnt drop it and got into good unis so 🤷‍♀️

Further maths A level with an eight is not realistic

Are they bright? Any special needs?

Are you proposing they come back for just year 11?

If very bright they may still do very well. If not it’s a bad idea. See if you can get them into year 10 instead.

Sorry posted that by mistake

Hi , I am thinking of moving back to UK with twins age 14 who have been on French Education since the age of 3. They are to do their first Major exam next year the Brevit, buy after reading your posts I realise if they are not back in UK now next year will probably be too late for GCSE.Has anyone had a similar experience?and how did they fare?

@familyofaliens
They were discussing it in front of me earlier in the day, can't tell you anyone else's results.
I can't even remember exactly what dd got in her GCSEs without looking it up.

Dd1's just done her A-levels. She has two friends, one got a mid level 8 GCSE and has just got an A single maths and B further maths. Another got a good 9 at GCSE and has just got a C in single maths and dropped further.*

I’m in awe of your ability to remember your DD’s friends’ exams results from two years ago

Send her and keep an open mind on the maths. She can drop FM at HT or Christmas with no consequence.

Baseline testing generally assumes private school pupils will perform 1.5 grades better than state school pupils. If you add 1.5 to her GCSE grades does she qualify?

I suspect this (and the fact that they will have liked her at interview) are why they are still offering the place.

If you can afford it you would be mad to deny her this great opportunity now.

She should not do further maths without a 9 in maths, wherever she goes. It's a huge step up and many struggle even if they cruised though GCSE.

Admittedly it was many years since I sat my A levels but there was a massive difference between GCSE and A level maths. However, GCSE and A level English was much more of a natural step up.

I still think sending her to the private school would be best for her academically to achieve her best but it’s perfectly acceptable for her to rethink and change the subjects she wants to take. She can probably even change in a month or so down the line. In the worst case scenario, she could do the first couple of terms at the private school, decide it is not for her, hand in her notice to leave and then start again at the local school or elsewhere.

She should not do further maths without a 9 in maths, wherever she goes.

Dd1's just done her A-levels. She has two friends, one got a mid level 8 GCSE and has just got an A* single maths and B further maths. Another got a good 9 at GCSE and has just got a C in single maths and dropped further.

However, I would wonder whether your dd will be taking on too much to do 4 A-levels. Especially when one is English which will have no overlap with the others; I'd be less concerned about her doing maths, further maths, physics and economics as there will be some overlap.

I'd suggest dropping the English. However, I suspect the school will be reluctant to let her start with only 3, one being further maths from her position though.

If you can afford it, pay for private. It makes a huge difference at a level

Why drop further maths? She got an 8 which is amazing and I’ve even taught FM a-level to students who got an A at GCSE and have been fine.
It’s a great a-level (I did it myself and taught it for many years!)
Well done on her results and think attending the independent school is a good idea.

Yes definitely drop further maths!

She should not do further maths without a 9 in maths, wherever she goes. It's a huge step up and many struggle even if they cruised though GCSE.

But otherwise I'd have thought she'd be fine on those subjects with those grades at any school. It's very common for independents to say they have a minimum grade requirement and then flex it, so she's unlikely to be the weakest student, but agree with the previous poster that if she's easily intimidated it might not be the best school for her, especially if she's moving from the state system where modesty tends to be valued more than confidence.

Can she definitely get in to the local state school?

Because it is an unnecessary drain on the school's finances and the majority of parents stick to the rules!

As a private school parent myself I am afraid to say I hope the school chases you for the money as you've basically just changed your mind!

Why would it affect you whether the OP has to pay?

You would be liable for the deposit and a term's fees. As a private school parent myself I am afraid to say I hope the school chases you for the money as you've basically just changed your mind!

Drop the further maths and send her.

That's simply because there's no contract here or anywhere because you haven't signed any as far as I'm concerned

The OP does not have to sign anything for there to be a contract. And it is, of course, possible that the OP has signed something accepting the school's terms and conditions.

doubletiger - Without seeing all the documentation it is impossible to say for certain. However, based on what you have posted I don't think you are liable for a full term's fees. I think you may lose your deposit but I'm not certain of that.

OP, imho you don't have to worry about paying the whole term's fee and what's more, you've a good case of getting even your deposit back if you're willing to fight for it. That's simply because there's no contract here or anywhere because you haven't signed any as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, I get it that the school has now offered you a place even though your DD didn't get the required number of suitable grades but you haven't yet accepted the offer, have you? A contract is only good if you accept the offer. About the deposit, unless the school policy clearly states that deposits are non refundable under any circumstances then you've a good case to ask for it back as per your own logic i.e. they require so many suitable grades and your DD didn't meet their requirements. End of story.

But you may be required to pay some admin fee though and even that is arguable - assuming you have the energy.

I advised a friend recently who paid a large deposit for a place at a boarding school starting Sept 2018-19. Around Easter 2018 friend changed their mind because their child preferred another boarding school where his friends were going. Friend gave notice and wanted to withdraw from first school; agreed to forfeit the deposit and willing to pay up to £5K as a 'penalty' but the school was adamant in getting their one term fee in lieu (>£11K). This is almost 5 months notice to a school they never started!

I then looked at all the documents and communication with the school including the school's T&C and concluded there was NO contract between friend and school and advised friend accordingly. From this point onwards, friend never heard back from the school again.

If the school is in the UK then I am certain you will forfeit the deposit and need to give a term’s notice.

Presumably until results day you still thought this school was best for your daughter. Perhaps sending her will give her the opportunity to reach her academic best and get good A level results which will mean her poorer GCS results won’t hinder her future.