Independent school fees and Coronavirus

Trying again

Yes please @ElephantLover, can you please try posting again? That chart looks really interesting. Also, who created it?

Thank you @AtomicRabbit, I am not exaggerating when I say it has saved dds life. She was suicidal at aged 7 , had PTSD and OCD symptoms, overwhelming sensory issues and repeated vomiting. 4 weeks in and she is a different child already. Shame you have to pay a school to have them treat a child like a human being

oneliner, that topic has been done to death on MN. No, of course private schools aren't fair - in the same way that faith schools, grammar schools, better schools in wealthier neighbourhoods, bigger houses, private piano lessons, trips to the museum, educational holidays, better diets, and any form of inheritance generally aren't fair - in fact any form of wealth-related privilege that buys your child an advantage over others. But this isn't a thread about the morality of private schools. Of course nobody would expect anyone whose children don't go to independent schools to shed any great tears about them struggling (although of course if loads of them do go out of business overnight because of this, then the pressure on admissions in the state sector in the next couple of years will be enormous, and won't do anybody any good).

Got 20% discount for DD's school year 8 and 10% discount for DS's lower 6th form. DD is doing much more school-led work. DS has 1-2 subjects a day as he is doing three A Levels. There will be no exams. No sport, no army training, no internships. I wish the discount had reflected how little he will be getting out of school for a lot of money this coming term.

But then the school has a big bursary fund so I guess that's why they have to charge others more.

Oh boohoo. Private schools should be illegal. You disadvantage every child with your selfishness.

nylon14, was that a GDST school, by any chance? There was something in the Sunday Times about parents not being impressed that invoices went out early.

Doubt DD's school will have a discount, they were savvy and sent the invoice out a full month earlier than normal, and two weeks before the girls were let out of school.

Just been told 10% discount for summer term and next years fees frozen at this years rate.

Bus service and lunches don't have to be paid for even though the school has to pay a retainer.

Those people that say they’re sure schools will help out anyone who is facing hardship and unable to pay fees - what form do you think that help will take? Actual fiscal help, eg further reduction of fees?
Has anyone been offered help?

Not sure how to improve the quality of the picture?! It looks ok on my phone but blurs when I upload here...

I'll try posting again

Our school has offered to pass on any savings when they know how much they are. I'm assuming this means for furloughed support staff, closed premises etc.

They can't furlough teaching staff or no work would be set or marked (as teachers would not be employed by the school during this period). My husband teaches in the state sector and he is setting and marking far less work than our own children are receiving from their independent school. I appreciate that it is not as good as actually being at school but comparatively it seems to be very good.

I'm going to pay up for next term and hope for a small refund at some point.

@Pebbles574 - I have DC at two of the schools at that list and can confirm the reductions are across the board, not just for families experiencing hardship.

At the 'wealthier' school I anticipate many parents will not claim the discount and donate it into the bursary fund. Not sure the same will happen at the other school to the same extent though.

branwensstarling yup, this is us. DH's income is up in the air. Thankful we didn't decline the state school offer now. DH works for himself and his line of business is based on the public spending money.

Well our DS school sent an email today justifying the history of the school ... blah blah blah and offered a 20% discount.

My major challenge is that there is no online teaching - they are offering little videos on an app with no work to be sent to them or marked - absolutely crazy.

My view is that if they cared about the children’s education, they would have put an e-school system in place when they saw this pandemic escalating to roll out as soon as the school was closed, but no, they chose to drag their feet, not offer a refund on the 2 weeks of the Spring Term and still charge fees for next term (when the children will not be going to school until at least September).

I’m just fed up with the entire thing because I now have no income until schools reopen, (as our business provides services to schools, so no work now), have staff I can’t pay and may have to let go, have had my shares absolutely hit rock bottom, can’t get any income from our rental properties as our tenants have all lost their jobs and have mortgages, general bills and now bleeding school fees to pay.

I’m sitting here at 12:20am worrying about it all - I’m just going to have a drink, because I’m fed up on how out of touch these school heads are.

Thanks for posting this elephantlover.

@ElephantLover sorry I can't read the pic do you have a link?

I have heard Emanuel are offering 15% off the autumn term fees
Alleyn's freezing fees for next year - which if you assume 5% increase equates to approx. 15% off the summer term fees

@ElephantLover - I can't read that 0 is it possible to provide a link?

ElephantLover - is that for those claiming hardship, or across the board?

Also, any chance of a slightly clearer version as you can't really see the detail?

Please see discounts offered list. Can't verify the source but the data looks right.

I think schools are being too quick to make future fee announcements. Nobody knows are future next week let alone next term.

Also schools have many things to consider apart from the latest news.

My son's school have brought the subject up but are waiting to see and also sensibly planning

@Alsoplayspiccolo which GDST school are you at? We are considering Sutton for our daughter and interested in what they are doing in all this. Currently at a small prep who aren’t doing much!

@SubjectMatterExpert I'm so sorry, that is heart-breaking for you both. I hope your DD's first 4 weeks proved to be a good first month though? Private school changed everything for us. Hang in there, I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end. Lots of bright minds coming up with ideas to get us back quicker. this one in the FT I really like. www.ft.com/content/02a2bece-72b5-11ea-90ce-5fb6c07a27f2

A reduction would be hugely appreciated.

@AtomicRabbit, I hear you. Dd2 has only been at her school for 4 weeks. She previously spent 9 months out of school with pretty severe MH problems after being let down by the state system. I’m gutted (she is gutted). I would pay whatever I can to support her MH and continued participation in education. BUT private education had never been the plan. It’s financially a massive stretch and she isn’t even there 😭😭. I will pay and I understand the schools predicament. But GODDAMN!