Long term effect of coronavirus crisis on private school sector

The most sought after state school will suddenly see students attending who pre-COVID-19 would have gone to private schools

Unless the pupils concerned are currently in the reception or yr6 - yr7 transfer system (or other point of entry where relevant locally) and holding a place there already, the most likely scenario is that however highly ranked they may be against the school's admissions criteria, a place at their local sought after state school will depend upon being successful at appeal.

Given the possible numbers involved, some indies being allowed or even encouraged to convert to state schools may be the best (least worst?) solution, ignoring the political complexion of the person quoted in the TES article.

Thank you @rivierliedje
Interesting article as I know Ireland doesn't have the same history of prep schools as the UK.

The whole concept of charitable status when applied to private schools is quite baffling to me. What are they actually providing that can be deemed as charitable? genuine question.

Our school has sent out quite a sanctimonious letter talking about themselves as a charity but when you break it down it actually starts to seem morally wrong to claim this position.

Can anyone explain this?

Where’s not where

Where BertrandRussell? She normally contributes to education threads but I haven’t seen her around for ages.

Our school has come under huge pressure to reduce fees despite the fact that their costs haven’t reduced much, if at all. Initially they were saying if anyone was struggling with fees to please get in touch and they had the ability to help. But I know that plenty of parents who do need help were not approaching the school because of ‘pride’ and said they ‘would rather a blanket reduction was given to everyone’.

Other people can still afford the fees but were cross with the school because ‘they’re not providing the service we’re paying for’. As if this is the school’s fault.

The school isn’t especially well off, is one of several run by the same charity, and doesn’t have big funds available like some do.

But under pressure they’ve agreed to a 20% reduction, and have said if families don’t feel they need it, to contact the bursar and say so. I want the school to still be there when this is over so we won’t be accepting the reduction as we can afford it. I would rather the money was given to the families who really need it most rather than spent on a blanket reduction.

@NOTANUM sorry, no idea how that happened. I'll try again. www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2020/03/25/4187815-headfort-school-to-close-permanently-as-a-result-of-coronavirus-crisis/

That's very true @Appuskidu. Sorry I was only really thinking Year 7s. I hadn't really thought that the whole state education system (and it would be worse in London because a much higher % of DC are educated in the private sector there) could find itself on its knees because of the extra demand.

That’s fine if you are applying for admissions the normal way (YR/Y7) at the normal times-by October the year before etc.

If you have a y2/4/8 in private on the other hand, and wanted them to get places in a state school, I was thinking the schools with available places in those year groups may not be where parents maybe hoped.

@Appuskidu many people put in a 'just in case' application for an excellent state school as well as their private school choices - happens a lot with areas such as Sutton and Bromley that have great grammar schools. They may opt to go for the latter but may hold onto the state school place until 100% sure.

Given that the pandemic was already rearing its ugly head around Offers Day, I am sure there are currently many families who have two options in the bag - one state and the other private. If you suddenly find your income has taken a nose-dive you may be very glad to have kept options open and have the state school 'back-up' to take up.

@rivierliedje is that the right link? I'd be curious to read the article you referenced but it brings me to a page for girl guides!

I suspect some will indeed go under now.

Some that I have personal experience of have been on a knife-edge for years, and I suspect this will be the final blow for at least a couple of them.

The majority will likely be battered but will emerge just about ok.

The very fortunate minority (including one of my DC's schools) will be able to take the hit with a bit of belt-tightening and thanks to the generosity of a huge number of parents (not me, sadly) who are going to carry on paying full fees despite the lack of full provision next term.

Just as another thought: this could be a good moment to move DC to independent schools, if your DC aren't already there, and negotiate a good deal. I've just done this with one of my day-school DC, who's in effect going to get full boarding at a different school for a day fee. From a school's POV (especially if it's a school which is keen to increase numbers), it's often better to have one lot of half fees than no fees at all.

Will spaces at these ‘sought-after’ state schools become suddenly available?

The only schools near here who have spaces are not what people might consider ‘sought-after’.

@Andante57 I think that is just what will happen. The most sought after state school will suddenly see students attending who pre-COVID-19 would have gone to private schools. Probably particularly an issue in London.

we don't want an influx of former private school children flooding state schools and pushing class sizes up

Yes quite. We don’t want any horrible posh children in the school.

We have three at private school and can afford the fees but our income is still taking a hit.

I did think about that. However, day schools seem to be reducing their 13+ intake to increase at 11+. Also if it's a small intake at 13+ it may be hard socially. I think sixth form may be better. How easy is it to get a place at a super selective independent sixth form from state grammar?

Could she go to the grammar then join the private school in year 9 if finances allow? If the private school has a year 9 entry thst might be worth thinking about

Thank you for for replying. I have a son in Year 10 and a daughter just about the start year 7 with a place a a sort after girls school. Moving at sixth form is an option for our son. We are now seriously thinking about state for our daughter if she can get a place. She got accepted at a grammar school and could go back on the waiting list.

Is anyone else concerned about their ability to afford independent school fees in the current economic climate

I should think the majority are. I have two at private, one has one year to go, one has 4 more years. If the worst comes to the worst dd2 will have to move to state sixth form, but hopefully that won't happen.

Is anyone else concerned about their ability to afford independent school fees in the current economic climate? Are people actively looking for a state school now? I see people on this site with three or more children at independent schools seemingly not concerned. Is it family money or are salaries and bonuses so big they don't need to worry? I am interested. I am very concerned as my husband's job is in a vulnerable sector and an economic crisis could mean redundancy this year or next. Are we being overly concerned or should we not be stretching ourselves so much that we shouldn't be in an independent school in the first place?

It has already happened in Ireland:
www.irishgirlguides.ie/product-category/leader/badges-leader/
The last remaining boarding prep has closed. It was the subject of a documentary a few years ago.

I think it will impact the less-known, smaller schools who were struggling with numbers anyway.

I would be very surprised if any big name schools or popular schools (especially in London) struggle. These schools tend to have decent financial backing. Also long waitlists mean parents are unlikely to pull out expecting to re-apply and pick up their place again. Additionally, a lot of schools belong to groups (GDST, United Learning etc.) which helps in these situations.

However, having said that I do know of a big London chain/company who own lots of London preps who do struggle financially because of silly business decisions (setting up a mega expensive school in NYC for no particular reason) or CEOs getting huge salaries and it not filtering down.