Private schools opening even if state schools remain closed?

[altmum]

Apologies if already discussed elsewhere but I was hoping someone could tell me if private schools are likely to follow state schools with regards to reopening. There appears to be negotiations between teaching unions and the government about whether it is safe to open in June. If unions and schools deem it unsafe, is there a possibility that private schools go ahead and open as per the current government plan but state schools stay closed? This would have significant implications for year 10/12 students and could widen attainment gaps.

[Happymum12345]

If parents do decide like one poster suggested, to get nannies/tutors for a year then return to private education, I doubt there will be a school open for them to return to. Most private schools do not open to make much of a profit. Perhaps Eaton & Harrow, but certainly not everywhere.

[StrawberryBlondeStar]

@Happymum12345 there won’t be. Tes has a recent article predicting 25-30 per of private schools would go under, and it will be the small “cheap” schools (like my children’s).

As I mentioned above, if private schools can open in a more substantial way to the state sector then they may be ok. Some parents who were on the fence about private school may decide to commit to enable them to work.

[Sooverthemill]

@Spillinteas they chose to close earlier. But they can't open sooner than the government says. The Governemnt has said ALL SCHOOLS and that's it. A large number are saying they will go under as a result of the loss in fees. If those were able to reopen they would but they can't

[StrawberryBlondeStar]

Insurers are also refusing to cover private schools who open years not in accordance with government guidance.

[Sooverthemill]

@Happymum12345 15% of what we generally bung together under 'private' schools are for profit. 50% have charitable status ( including Eton where Parents pay £40,000 a year
Charity Commission figures show, in the year to last August, the school got £8.5million in donations and almost £51million in school fees.
Eton also had “funds carried forward” of £437million and investment income of £12.3million last year. But the school has still defended its charitable status.)

[FluffyEarMuffs]

Independent schools can be independent on this and not open at all beyond the few key workers children most have been taking.

I predict a number won't open. Parents are being surveyed, etc and I reckon the school my youngest is at just wont open.

My eldest's school finishes the last week of June. Effectively, they probably won't go back either due to timing, unless they change the term dates. They have been doing very intense remote learning though, so I don't think need a longer term.

We are paying the fees, will continue to do so, and don't want schools back before September. I don't think we are alone as parents.

[Pegase]

We will do the same as state sector. DfE guidance covers independent schools as well.

[Pegase]

Also as the guidance currently stands (changing daily!) neither state nor independent schools are supposed to resume full timetables for Y10 and 12. And it isn't possible to do so without canning teaching the younger years as social distancing rules apply in secondary schools (not in primary) so need to at least double up number of teachers.

[Spillinteas]

Sootherthemill I meant as in not reopening at all untill September if they wish to choose so. Maybe I didn’t word it well. We have a lot of parents that want ours to stay shut. We’ve had 85% of our fees paid by parents this summer term and the school was always teetering on the edge financially so this is going to hit us hard.

Strawberry also parents who paid insurance incase the school closed down for long periods are not paying out either.

[OublietteBravo]

DD’s private school sent an email to all parents yesterday outlining their plans for opening to YR, Y1 and Y6 on 1 June, and continuing to teach any children who aren’t going back in this date (including any children in YR, Y1 and Y6 whose parents aren’t comfortable with sending them to school). I’m actually quite impressed with them.

[Itsallgonewoowoo]

Our private school have said they won't open unless parents specifically want them to. So far there have been no key worker kids in so everything has been on line.

[flowerycurtain]

Ours will open in line with government guidance if we're allowed to in June 1st. All those saying they can't see why it's the younger years - my Reception child is at a standstill despite a massive online learning back up and me trying my best. He also completely negates any chance of working from home. My y2 child on the other hand can quietly get on with a bit of supported work for short bursts of time.

The school shuts at the end of June anyway.

Every parent I've spoken to so far will be sending in. Seems massively different to on here!

[StrawberryBlondeStar]

Out of 20 parents in my child’s Y1 class, 19 have said they will be back in. Only 1 is remaining at home, because of shielding. Mixture of SAHM and working parents. I thought it would be much more evenly split.

[Chickydoo]

School have said September.
Pointless to open for July. They break up for holidays early July.
DS yr 10. Being set masses of work online with a full timetable and exams in June.
I guess like most parents I worry this won't be at an end in September

[Sooverthemill]

@Spillinteas ah, okay . They can do what they like in respect of later reopening but not with regard to allowing pupils in earlier than guidance states. Others have explained insurance etc will precede that. I'm sorry that many smaller schools may close but I doubt the big ones will.