Are independent schools charging full fees for next term?

[FluffyGoalXXXDX]

Just wondered if other independent schools are charging full fees next term? We are self employed and our business has been annihilated, so no income at present. We had our bill for next term a couple of weeks ago. There has been no mention of any discount as school won't be running. I therefore assume that usual fees are payable. Wondered what is happening in other independent schools?

Mine (3 different schools) are charging fees.

If they don’t, they won’t survive.

My children aren’t at school, physically, but they have been briefed on work, and 2 of the schools have put a massive effort into getting online teaching up and running. Both have said that the dc should follow their usual timetable, lessons will be scheduled and uploaded as per the timetable, and teachers will be available for either video lessons via zoom or google meet, or via messaging/email.

The third school is slightly different as it is a SN school, and so technically dc has been offered time at school (EHCP), but cannot attend as we are self isolating. They too have pulled together a massive support pack at short notice to try to help occupy dc at home, and are also available for advice.

They are working as hard as they can to ensure the dc can carry on with their education. It isn’t happening actually at school, but then, nothing’s really happening the way it should, is it?

Agree as above. Most independent schools will not be able to exist in September otherwise.

They won’t know yet

When they have some idea of pupils can be in for any part of the term, they will be able to begin to make adjustments,

As most are providing online learning (and the kind of teacher email support those in the state sector could only dream of, subject to staff absence) then fees will not be cancelled.

They might be reduced, as some expenses will fall. But the big ones, especially staff costs, still need to be covered.

We will be getting a letter on Monday apparently

I expect them to still charge, most of their costs are still there and they will be expecting to work hard to give exam grades so fair enough

Yes and they are providing online lessons but the letter about fees also acknowledged that many parents would be entering difficult times and to talk to them if so. Does your school have bursary applications? Worth trying to talk to them now before the Easter holidays start.

I’m expecting a refund for lunches but that’s all.

Yes ours is they’ve set up online learning and sent home packs of work to be done as well. Open for keyworkers kids obviously. I would like a refund for “extras” though such as one to one music tuition, same for tennis and speech and drama. Doubt I will get it though!

Yes. Virtual teaching from a boarding school. Roll call 8 am. No nonsense

Ours is. Has been chasing us for next term's fees for weeks and our schools have already been closed for a while (overseas). Also pushing us to register for September!

This is a private, profit making school. They could well afford to swallow some costs.

Thank you all for your posts. Our school does have bursary applications so worth a shot I think.

Ours have already warned all parents that full fees will be due by the usual date.

Yes, although they are continuing with virtual teaching. We are getting a refund on our lunch costs though.
I would definitely go down the bursary route, if your income has dropped you could well qualify.

Just to follow up on this, our school sent an email today to say that there would be 10% off upper school fees for the summer term, 30% off reception - year 2 and no fees for the nursery year for the schools that have nurseries (our school is part of a trust of schools) as they couldn’t provide effective home learning for nursery.

In a straw poll of other parents in three other private schools in our area, none of them are offering discounts so I am very grateful. Our school also said that there could have been bigger savings to pass on to parents but they were putting some of those savings into the school’s hardship fund for those parents that might need assistance over the coming months.

We haven’t made the bill yet - I’m tempted to email and ask. I suspect they will charge still whack - they sent us an email 3 years ago about putting school fees up to increase teacher wages, and then we found out they had emailed staff and said they were doing a wages freeze as they didn’t have the income. I don’t trust them at all!

We haven’t heard anything yet, but I am expecting full fees with a reduction for lunches.

We’ve had a 15% discount. I’m happy with that.

10% discount from one, nothing from the other. Obviously no luck or coach charges.

We haven't had our bill yet but Chair of Board of Governors wrote to say they are looking at where they can find cost reductions for next term to pass on to parents. Also urged all those experiencing acute financial difficulty to contact the bursar to discuss options.

I get the feeling they will allow parents to keep kids in school for a term or 2 and delay payment until this is all over.

Ours is giving a 25% discount next term and setting up a hardship fund. I'm impressed

Just been told by DSs' school that they are reducing next term's fees by £800, plus not charging for lunches (£200 or so). In total, that's about 17% off. They are also not going to increase fees in the next academic year.

DD is at a different school which (at the moment) have billed us for full amount next term. But we shall see...