Can’t afford school fees, does this sound ok?

[Rightmovestalker]

Ds is year 11,GCSE year, going to state school in September for A levels. DH has a job but I now don't. The fees bill covers Easter - July and is £4.5k. My pay would have covered it but I’m not entitled to any state help.

We are overdrawn but have £3k available credit of our overdraft limit. We have another overdraft available for £1.5k. If we pay the fees now we will have no cash at all until 30th April when dh is paid and we have other bills to pay.

We are thinking of proposing that we pay £500 now and then chip away at it until it is cleared. Dh usually gets a bonus in July but it may not be paid this year. If it is we can clear it. Our other child went to the same school and we’ve spent c£160k in total with the school. This is the last year of fees. Does our proposal sound reasonable? Thanks.

YABU = borrow more to pay
YANBU = your proposal sounds ok

[Tonyaster]

coconuttelegraph

All exam boards charge schools for exams. Yours are paid for by the state.

[HostaFireAndIce]

Not all independents make you pay exam entry fees. Many of them just pay them out of the fees.

[Irial]

@lmcneil003
They would have found the money if COVID hadn't happened.
By people not paying for stuff they should destroys the economy

Well OP might still be working if Covid hadnt happened, are you always this dense?

[Xenia]

Your child is about to leave and may not get much for the school fees for this very last term. I would have said just don't pay and wait until they sue BUT presumably you need every teacher to adore you to ensure the special 2020 Covid GCSE grades are good so although it ought to be irrelevant it may not be a good time to annoy a school.

[Chickoletta]

Talk to the school. I teach at an independent school and we have all sorts of measures in place to support parents who have been financially hit. I certainly wouldn’t get into debt to pay now - at the very least they’ll give you an extension, but may well be able to do more.

[jeanne16]

The individual teachers who are giving the gcse results will have no idea there is a fees dispute. Teachers in Independent schools are never aware of who is or is not paying fees. So it will not affect the grades awarded by teachers.

Having said that, if you don’t pay for the last term the school may well withhold releasing the results to you. So you need to contact the bursar and agree a payment plan.

[mrscampbellblackagain]

Agree about contacting the bursar and just explaining your situation.

With regards to exam fees - it is nearly £500 and still showing on the bill I received yesterday for yr 11 child.

[Rightmovestalker]

all these posts are much appreciated, thank you. Do people really think they’d withhold results? I hadn’t considered that. I will email them today and see what they say. I’ll let you know. Previously we have always paid in full and on time.

[JeSuisPoulet]

I read the other week that a few of the smaller private schools were closing as so many parents couldn't afford fees. The bigger ones, Eton was mentioned, had donors willing to prop them up. I'd personally wait until they ask if you are unsure which camp your school is sitting in, you may not be alone.

[Dahlietta]

Do people really think they’d withhold results?

They wouldn't do that. The only scenario in which they would is if you were just refusing to pay without talking to them (but I still don't think they would in those circumstances anyway!) I agree to give them a call and explain and see what they can offer.

[JeSuisPoulet]

The Telegraph and it's little sister Express have both urged parents not to withold payment as well, but this might be of use from the Telegraph I get a refund on school fees?www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/school-fees-refund-coronavirus-lockdown/

[mrscampbellblackagain]

I think it is very unlikely they would withhold results. If you are honest and up front with the school and are happy to do a staged payment plan then I am sure they will help.

However I suspect there will be some parents who look to exploit the hardship funds to avoid paying fees.

I think it is likely schools will go bust if the closures continue for a long time.

[coconuttelegraph]

All exam boards charge schools for exams. Yours are paid for by the state

Obviously I know that, my query is about what happens to parents who don't pay, I have family members who send their children to private schools and they never mentioned having to stump up for exam fees in addition to normal fees.

Not all independents make you pay exam entry fees. Many of them just pay them out of the fee

This makes a lot more sense, I guess it's another example of the MN feature that posters assume their experience is universal.

[JeSuisPoulet]

www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/school-fees-refund-coronavirus-lockdown/ sorry, link fail

[Everyexitisanentrance]

Exam entry fees will be due. The exam boards have not offered discounts yet. Clearly exam boards say they have their costs to cover extra - they make most of their money at this time of the year.

I think you need to find out if you do not pay what happens to the exam entry never mind the teacher grade assessment. No entry = no grade.

[Dahlietta]

I guess it's another example of the MN feature that posters assume their experience is universal.

Definitely! I have never knowingly come across an independent school that does charge for exam entry. I only know that it does sometimes happen from MN!

[Xenia]

I think universities withhold degrees if you have not paid or may be that was just law school but it is certainly done by some institutions. I am not saying this private school will do it however.

[Tonyaster]

I have family members who send their children to private schools and they never mentioned having to stump up for exam fees in addition to normal fees

Perhaps they don't discuss the minutiae of their bills with you?

We've used three big name schools and every one has itemised exam fees on the bill so I presumed all did. Maybe they go to schools where exams are included in the fees?

[user1497787065]

Most schools are quite understanding if you keep them in the loop of when payments will be made. Just be upfront, email the bursar with the proposal.

[Tonyaster]

I have never knowingly come across an independent school that does charge for exam entry. I only know that it does sometimes happen from MN!

All private schools pay for exam entry. If they spread the cost in their fees the parents are still paying!

[Everyexitisanentrance]

Op needs to find out what happens with the exam entries if she does not pay!

[Dahlietta]

All private schools pay for exam entry.

Well, obviously, I know that. I meant that they don't charge the parents directly for exam fees, they pay them out of the usual fees (and the relevant term's fees are not higher than any other).

[itgetsthehoseagain]

elephantoverthehill These schools are businesses. If OP doesn't pay, the school could perhaps withhold the allocation of her DC's estimated grades?

[Bluewater1]

Talk with the bursar and explain your situation. Wait and see what they suggest

[Merryoldgoat]

I work for a private school. We have discounted but are happy to agree payment plans and discuss plans individually.

Talk to The Bursar before offering anything. They may offer you a further reduction in addition to a monthly plan.