The Prepatoria School - Has anyone heard of it?

[WaterSheep]

Interesting article about this school in the daily mail today. Forgive me, and I won't link I was just wondering if anyone had heard of the school, as it seems like a mix between an independent school and a nursery setting.

They only have 11 pupils - They had 6 full time pupils when they were visited by Ofsted, and unsurprisingly they were graded as outstanding.

Fees seem very low considering they're open for 48 weeks of the year, just £6540 per year.

The school has a principal and 3 staff, which for 11 children must be amazing. Although I do wonder how they manage to pay them and run a school considering the low fees and pupil numbers.

Those numbers aren’t stacking up! Something is amiss there

Pitterpatterpettysteps

I hate to admit but the low cost and pupil number did set off a warning siren in my head. I had to double check it wasn't £6540 per term, but nope it's per year.

I just don't see how it's feasible.

I've not heard of it but there is a Steiner school near me that has ridiculously low fees compared with the local prep/private schools so a similar concept maybe?

MrsWombat I'm not familiar with the fees for Steiner schools, but surely even with low fees they would need more than 11 pupils?

Yeah... I would guess that the rest is being funded by a private consortium/ special interest group.

I think I'd want to know all about that, and what influences my child would be have.

Well the fee income is insufficient to pay minimum wage for 4 full time staff.

That's interesting Grimbles the principal does say she sold a holiday villa in Turkey, but I wouldn't imagine that money lasted very long. I suspect you're right about others being involved.

AJPTaylor

Exactly, and that's without taking into account other costs of running and maintaining a school.

I’m guessing there would be extra fees for everything. The 6.5k pa is probably just the basic flat fee.

Perhaps Teddy But even if there were extra fees and all parents decided to pay them, the cost wouldn't scratch the surface of running a school.

State schools get less than 6.5k funding per pupil and somehow it suffices.

By the sound of it, the headmistress is a qualified teacher but she might as well employ unqualified individuals to 'teach'. They might be very part-time too or even apprentices who cost peanuts.

It sounds like a right mess with all the children taking holidays at different times.

State schools get less than 6.5k funding per pupil and somehow it suffices.

Well yes but only because they run with a significantly higher pupil/teacher ratio! In many cases 30 pupils to one teacher, not 11 (or in reality fewer if only 6 are full time). 78k max doesn't sound sustainable for 4 staff, premises, etc.

This school has just open. The full capacity is 22 pupils. The owner/headmistress is a teacher but we don't know what qualifications the other staff have or how many hours they work.

Their hours could add up to the equivalent of 1 TA, for example.

The info about extras isn't provided either. Food might be extra, childcare after 3.30 or before 8.30 might be extra etc.

Their website says there is a charge of £3 for meals, but a max of 12 in the school itself (as opposed to the nursery).

An interesting model but I still doubt it's long term sustainability in this form.

I’d guess that the teachers are all part time- there’t be enough work for 4 full time staff and six pupils. The article showed the school itself and it was basically a converted bungalow, so no grounds to maintain or drafty halls to heat either.

I can't comment on the hours worked by the current staff. However they're currently advertising for 2 positions.

Level 3 Nursery Practitioners – Full time and part time roles

Full time position of 40 hours per week and a part time only post of 20 to 30 hours per week.

Even at minimum wage I just don't see how it's possible. Unless as Grimbles says they're being privately funded.

At capacity, they’ll have 22 pupils so fees of 143k + children funding from the government for the little ones + charge extras for food and possibly for wrap around care?

Nursery nursery nurses get paid peanuts (15-20k per a full timer incl pension and other employment costs). The overheads will be low (small bungalow to heat, no grounds etc, small professional fees for accounting for exampleetc). Most likely, the owner/headmistress will be left with more than a headteacher in a proper school would earn.

I know the Dm of one of the pupils. Fairly alternative with lots of play and unstructured approach to learning. No pressure to partake. Not sure how the dc will cope if they return to mainstream schooling after year 1 or 2 (planned to have a year 2).

That's interesting @dottycat123. I did wonder how thy would cope after the age of 7, as other schools just won't be able to compare with regards to class sizes / experience. I would love to have a look around, but then I am nosy git.

I do find it quite interesting. The biggest thing for me would be how the holidays work out. Mine don’t start school until next year but I’m already worried about how we’ll manage holiday care and the inconsistency of it all. It’ll be interesting to see if the model is replicated. I’d never go for such a tiny school though in real life.