Independent school fees for the Summer Term

[Randomnessembraced]

Are most schools going to charge the whole percentage of tuition fees? Do you think they should be mitigating costs and applying for grants to pay some staff? A lot of our parents are going to struggle. At the moment, they are telling us to tell them if we will struggle, but as a business shouldn’t they really be mitigating their costs and applying for grants? I feel many are worried about the PR element if they have charitable status but not all independent schools are rich and not all parents have savings.

Our school has not mentioned anything regarding reducing fees. They have put together an excellent online learning system though.

The news last night may change things, but I doubt any reduction will be forthcoming. I think the GCSE and A-level students are the most entitled to a hefty discount.

The trouble with A level and GCSE students is that they need the teacher assessments for grades so parents might feel scared to ask for help.

I think the news last night is a “chicken and egg” question. If everyone pays (because they feel obliged to, even if they are struggling) then there won’t be any need to apply for the salary grants/or just a few to cover those who haven’t paid/are unable to pay.

Neither of the two schools my kids are at have even mentioned fees.
When the next term’s bill arrives I’m expecting to at least have the charge for lunches (compulsory but obviously can’t be utilised) and coaches removed.

Ours is charging the full fees, less the extras for lunches, trips, school buses etc.

We are happy to pay so long as we are still able (and job security is a very real concern) because we want the school still to be there when this is over, we want the teachers and support staff to get paid, and they are going to provide a full timetable of online learning and support.

I think a lot of private schools will fail because of this. Many are on very tight budgets anyway and by far their biggest expense is staffing. My previous independent school is open for key worker children from Monday but a friend of mine said that basically loads of parents are sending their kids in to ‘get their money’s worth.’ 🤦‍♀️

Whattodo121- I heard some parents tried that in one of our schools but our headmaster is quite socially conscious so has put his foot down. I am damned if I keep our kids home trying to work even though on the current list we can both argue key worker status and have to home school at huge cost in terms of fees. Some staffing help might now be available further to the governments announcement yesterday if not all parents pay.

I've been left feeling very sad and disappointed by the insensitivity and lack of compassion shown by our school which sent a letter yesterday evening basically saying they expect us to pay the fees because they have to pay the teachers. There was no acknowledgement that many parents will have lost their business or jobs and are potentially facing financial ruin. I understand it is a business but in the midst of these unprecedented times how the independent school sector can expect it to be business as usual is beyond me.

I most definitely expect to pay because I want there to be a school for my dd to go back to! Also, they are going to be supplying online learning.

I think you're missing the point. Everybody wants to be in a position to pay the fees so the school can remain open but not everybody will be so fortunate. Also, online learning will not adequately cover half the curriculum such as drama, the sciences, dt and PE not to mention extra-curricular activities. How independent schools can justify demanding the full fees for providing half a service at this time is beyond me.

School have confirmed today that there will be no charge for next term’s lunches, and applying a 10% reduction to reflect the facilities that we cannot use, eg after school clubs, etc.

Also, to let them know if we will have trouble paying as they acknowledge many parents will have had a huge financial upheaval.

Overall, I’m impressed with that.

Whether you pay or not depends on how much you want the school to still be there when pupils are allowed back in.

I expect to still pay of course, this is not the fault of the school, and I want them to remain viable so that we can return. I hope they make small reductions to reflect the reduction in catering etc.