Chased for notice term fees

[Lost1982]

Hi All, Need your help.We moved to UK couple of months back and enrolled our daughter in an independent school here. A few weeks into the school, my daughter was bullied by fellow students and also witnessed racist comments. Obviously, my teenage DD was extremely upset and become a loner. I did highlight this to the school, but the school stated they can only do anything about it if we name the girls who were involved. My DD was extremely petrified to name the girls since she felt they would trouble her more. The school did not bother to call us, nor did it provide my daughter counselling to get out of this incident post their 1 mail asking for the girls' names. There was also security issues in the school, and my daughter was left stranded in the school by the transport number of times since the activities teacher did not inform the transport team that the activity was cancelled for that specific day. At one instance, my daughter was untraceable after her activities club post school - which the school managed - we tried calling the teachers, school, activity coach but none of them responded. In fact the activities club receptionist told us my daughter was not there, while she was all the time there in the club in the basement practicing. Horrified, we did then got in touch with police helpline. Thankfully, by then, my daughter called, and we got her back home. After witnessing the above, we withdrew her from the school since the school was not bothered, nor concerned for the well being of my daughter. I informed the school in July that we are withdrawing her from the school. The school is now following up with us for their terms notice fee around 10K for the same. We had a really bad experience with the school, and it took months for my daughter to come out of this trauma. We understand this as per contract, but it seems extremely unfair that you are tortured and then expected to pay for the torture. Please advise since we are too new to this and not sure how to take this ahead.

I think you will have to pay. Independent schools can be brutal.

Does the school have an anti bullying policy? Have they followed that policy? If not, then maybe that could be the start of your negotiation?

If you signed their contract you will have to pay. Your complaint is a separate issue unrelated to the fees contract.

I doubt you will get out of it. Notice is normally only effective before a term starts or fees in lieu. Independent schools can be dogged about reclaiming this and may well be struggling financially if they had a mid year vacancy, so will pursue it legally. Did you go through the school's own complaints process? How old is your dd?

Yes we did go through the complaints process, they stated they can only do something if we name the girls. My DD is 15.

You no doubt signed their terms and conditions which stated you need to give a term's notice for withdrawing a child or you would be liable for the next term's fees. It's pretty standard for all independent schools.

Unfortunately you didn't follow the t&c so you are liable for this term too.

Your other issues are irrelevant with regard the contract.

I'd write back outlining what you have said here and saying that the school failed to provide a reasonable standard of care for your daughter, in breach of an implied term of your contract with them. If they have an anti-bullying policy, explain how they failed to apply it. If the bullying was racist, explain this as well. Tell them that you consider their failures to constitute a repudiatory breach of contract and therefore no notice payment is due. If they push back, I'd see a solicitor who specialises in disputes with private schools.

What did you expect them to do as she wouldn’t name the girls? I think if you’ve signed a contract you will have to pay unfortunately.

What action do you think they should have taken without the names of the children involved? You owe them the fees. I think your use of the word torture is overly dramatic and potentially not helping your case whilst talking to the school about your concerns.

Well they're right. Doesn't sound the best school, but neither does it sound really terrible. You have agreed to pay the notice period so I can't see how you can avoid paying it.

You can't just not pay 😂

Your daughter give them no proof that the bullying and racism happened even though they give the opportunity.

They didn't follow up because you were unwilling to back up what you said and your daughter thinks it's acceptable to go awol... to which you blamed the school. Probably sick of it after one term

I was hoping they could have atleast counselled my DD, spoken to her, followed up on how she is doing. Rather than just dropping the hat, since we dint name the girls.

They will go as far as court , they nearly always do , you could try negotiating a reduction .

Thought she would be younger from your description. Assuming she has a phone the cancellation of an activity would be expected to be communicated by your dd. Most 15yo are pretty independent, There would be a complaints process to the trustees, so you could appeal to them for a fee waiver in the circumstances but chances are they will still insist.

@Amiold, Seriously, the world is round, hoping this comes back to you someday. You don't know her to even comment this ways. But nevertheless, wishing you the Best.

Sounds like your DD has had a tough time but without naming the girls there isn’t much they can do,
My DD was bullied at Private school at that age and the people involved were named - one was expelled, one had a final warning and two had to sign good behaviour contracts. There was no counselling offered to bough
As for the activity your DD should have contacted you.
I dont think you really have any solid grounds here for refusing to pay unfortunately

The after schools thing is odd. Since my eldest started high school at 12 I have expected her to contact me if an after school activity is cancelled and she needs transport or to wait for her transport. At 15 it is crazy to expect the school to be ringing you to sort out transport. Could she not just have done her homework at school until her usual transport was due? It seems she went ahead and practiced by herself so no bother to her. She is 15 and can cope with netball being cancelled.

The racist comments are unacceptable and the school should have addressed them whether they had names or not by making it clear to all that they would not be tolerating racism.

If your dd is 15, I think you are being unrealistic in your expectation that they should know exactly where she is at all times. She does need to take some responsibility for herself at her age.

Have the school ever said they offer free counselling after incidents of bullying? What gave you the impression that they should? I think you need to work on getting your dd to name the people who have bullied her. The school can’t do anything to stop a child behaving badly if they don’t know who that child is.

Seek legal advice.

You have to pay. This is how it works. You signed a contract, you accepted their terms and conditions and now you pay. They will take you to court if you don’t.

You are being unreasonable

If it happened she should have proved it. Then you wouldn't be in the position of not wanting to pay your bill (you should have also confirmed position when you removed her from the school you had signed her up to)

So in their school, if you have take the school transport, you have to give a day's notice. Since the activity was cancelled last minute by the sports teacher, at times due to bad weather or other school backing out of the competition or the after school activity getting cancelled the transport was not given.

But that doesn’t excuse 10k of fees

You’re going to have to pay

Sure I understand the viewpoint for all of you. Thanks for it. I will speak to the school and sort this out.