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Original poster

Advice on DoE refund

17 replies

LaCerbiatta · 19/04/2022 14:24

Looking for some advice on whether it's worth pursuing this.

Late 2019 we paid £220 for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award expedition for dd, who was at the time in year 9. This was due to take place spring of 2020 but was cancelled due to Covid.

After the cancellation there was some communication from school offering the Bronze expedition in 2021 (Y10) or an upgrade to Silver. We chose the Bronze. Again because of covid this didn't happen. The person who dealt with it at school left and the replacement is useless and appears completely overwhelmed by the whole thing so doesn't even respond to emails. Naturally at this point and considering dd is in Y11 and the expedition is no longer an option, we want a refund. After innumerous attempts I managed to get this response from school:

"I looked into the refund status and I have been informed that the company used in 2020 did not offer a refund the school. The expedition itself is only a small part of the award if that's the only part students missed. Students will still be enrolled on eDofE and if they have completed all sections but just need to complete the expedition, there are some companies that do this. This could be an option. I believe a letter was emailed out to families during the summer of 2020 from the XX email. You could try to find this to check what was said back then."

Obviously the expedition was what the £220 were for and dd did nothing else for it. Just not sure how to pursue this and what to say? I feel that it will just be a 'sorry nothing we can do'.... Should I ask for the provide details and take it with them?

Thanks so much!

OP posts:
Original poster
LaCerbiatta · 19/04/2022 14:50

Shameless bump

OP posts:
worriedandannoyed · 19/04/2022 14:59

This should be covered by the schools travel insurance surely?

Original poster
LaCerbiatta · 19/04/2022 15:03

I would have thought so.... But they're saying no

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katmarie · 19/04/2022 15:10

If you're getting nowhere with the co-ordinator now, I would consider escalating up the chain of management to push for resolution. Do you or your DD know any other kids affected, who's parents might want to also push for a refund?

Original poster
LaCerbiatta · 19/04/2022 15:17

I've asked other parents on our whatsapp group and got zero responses. They're a very unresponsive bunch, always feel I'm asking really stupid questions.... I'll try again.

OP posts:
iRun2eatCake · 19/04/2022 15:18

So the school are suggesting you contact another company to do the expedition.... and therefore pay again?

Did you have any contact with the DoE company or did school deal with it all?

If school did, then l feel it is their responsibility to get it resolved, namely as they are the one's who would have had the original "contact" with the company

Comefromaway · 19/04/2022 15:21

That's not on. I'd write to the school firmly making it clear that you are entitled to a refund for a cancelled event and that should one not be forthcoming you will be taking it to small claims. Quote the SMA statement on consumer rights with regard to covid related refunds for cancelled trips and events.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 19/04/2022 15:24

Did you pay separately to enrol on the DoE course. £220 seems very steep for a expedition so I'm wondering if the school are correct about it including everything. Ask them for the breakdown of costs.

Jadecarrot · 19/04/2022 15:24

Try contacting D o E local office. They usually have a schools contact officer. May not help the actual refund if a private company, but I would want it known what the school was doing as it is very not in the spirit of DofE

Original poster
LaCerbiatta · 19/04/2022 15:30

@Comefromaway

That's not on. I'd write to the school firmly making it clear that you are entitled to a refund for a cancelled event and that should one not be forthcoming you will be taking it to small claims. Quote the SMA statement on consumer rights with regard to covid related refunds for cancelled trips and events.
This is really helpful, thank you!
OP posts:
Original poster
LaCerbiatta · 19/04/2022 15:36

@BaronessEllarawrosaurus

Did you pay separately to enrol on the DoE course. £220 seems very steep for a expedition so I'm wondering if the school are correct about it including everything. Ask them for the breakdown of costs.
What is 'everything' though? We weren't invited for anything else, dd hasn't done anything else....
OP posts:
Comefromaway · 19/04/2022 15:40

Auto correct fail its CMA

Comefromaway · 19/04/2022 15:43

The registration fee for D of E Bronze is £24 and the school might have a small admin cost. The D of E website states that schools must tell you what charges cover.

Seemssounfair · 19/04/2022 15:51

Not DofE but our school had a school trip cancelled and they are still pursuing the travel company. If the travel company does not refund the school cannot refund until they do.

Depends on what the T&C were the school/you signed up for.

Lots of people, though school or otherwise, have been caught out by T&C on insurance, cancellations etc due to these exceptional circumstances. The school should push as much as they can for refunds, but if the school can't get a refund and their insurance also doesn't cover it there isn't much else the school can do.

Original poster
LaCerbiatta · 19/04/2022 15:57

Thanks all. Looking at the DoE website it appears that there are no refunds for cancelled events because of covid, just a suggestion to try something else, like some youtube yoga classes or learning an instrument Hmm

I think I'll try to speak to someone from DoE before I take this on with the school who may indeed have their hands tied...

We also needed refund from a skiing school trip and took forever (1 year I think) but we got it in the end.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 19/04/2022 15:57

The children have been let down. You paid the school in good faith and nothing has been communicated or refunded well. If your DD was expected to continue with the rest of the course that should've been communicated. Speak to the head.

Comefromaway · 19/04/2022 16:09

I can totally understand the D of E not refunding the fee as there are numerous options. But a refund for the expedition you should get.

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