Can't afford school fees

[Theemptyvase]

I've just found out that my DC is no longer entitled to a free place at her private school.

She's 6 years old and has now completed two years of school and, having found it very hard the first year, she has now settled down and is getting on very well indeed.

There's a possibility that a place will once again become available in a year or two, so we are deciding whether to try to pay the fees ourselves in the hope that:
A) a free place once again becomes available, or
B) in a year or two she'll have the confidence to move school with less trauma

She's made so much progress at her school and become so much more comfortable in her own skin that I'm loathe to move her (despite the alternative school being absolutely fine). We can pay the fees ourself but it will be with quite some sacrifice - we'll be able to afford the mortgage, insurance, food albeit with being much more careful at the supermarket etc, but we'll have no savings and the luxuries will have to go.

I'm strongly inclined to believe that a really positive school experience is worth these sacrifices, but I know I'm biased on these matters. Please could anyone with experience of fee problems and/or shy/sensitive children please offer their advice?

For voting; YANBU to pay school fees. YABU - man up and send her to the other school.

Thanks

Not to put too fine a point on it, they are essentially asking staff at short notice to make a £10-£15k contribution to keeping the school afloat, or else have to find a school at very short notice. How do you feel about that? I'd be hopping!

if they lose a lot of staff this way, they're saved a bit on free places only to incur loads of recruitment costs and potentially also reduced the attractiveness of the school if the numbers fall and key staff are missing

I imagine the school is hoping many will leave to save redundancy fees.

That sounds a terrible way of managing you, OP. They obviously waited until 4 days before the end of term so that you wouldn't have a chance to mobilise and complain. They sound like bastards - do you really want people like that teaching your child? She is just a commodity to them and they've proved they think of her as something to haggle over. Honestly, I'd ring your local state schools now while you have the chance and see what they can offer you. Your daughter sounds lovely and deserves better than this. Good luck, it must all be so hard and I'm so sorry.

I had a question - why would free places at private schools be an option? Are there free places at private schools? Do you mean your daughter received a scholarship or bursary?
Would love to know this as Im moving back to Hove from overseas with a child and had no idea of this. I was educated in the UK and have no memory of private schools giving free fee-paying places.

My 2 sons both went to the local comp...both have Masters degrees and have amazing jobs in London earning good money....if the child is determined to do well they will...cannot see the point in paying for schooling.

@poppyrabbit2 The OP was getting free places as a teacher at the school. Although private schools do often give money off for teachers, free places are unusual (and unsustainable).

Anyone else:

ZOMBIE THREAD

@poppyrabbit2 The OP was getting free places as a teacher at the school. Although private schools do often give money off for teachers, free places are unusual (and unsustainable).

Anyone else:

ZOMBIE THREAD

It’s not a question of whether the nearest state school meets your criteria or not, it’s the to-ing and fro-ing that’s the most unacceptable element here. Let her stay, cut your cloth accordingly. Hopefully the situation will change in the not too distant future. I’m in the granny generation so I’ve been through the whole debate and now I think, whatever your principles may be, put your child’s happiness and welfare above everything else.

I would pay for one year and see how it goes. Hopefully the place come available again.

@poppyrabbit2 The OP was getting free places as a teacher at the school. Although private schools do often give money off for teachers, free places are unusual (and unsustainable).

Anyone else:

ZOMBIE THREAD

Ah OK, makes sense, many thanks!

Madness to put yourselves under so much pressure now. Your child is 6 - it’s a marathon….
Take the pressure off - save up your pennies for secondary school; should you want to make the move then…..
Good luck

If the school is struggling, is there a chance they could close in the future? And if they did, would you then be competing with everyone else for the places at the good local state school?