Private School Fees in Sep

[runbummyrun]

So we had a 20% reduction in fees for the Summer Term, which was happily accepted.

If September comes and (Michaelmas Term) Autumn is following the same guidelines as is now, will you still be happy to pay full fees, reduced fees or fees with no increase (year on year)?

My DC are back but on a heavily reduced curriculum, so 20% reduction in fees seems fair.

I'm just interested in others views for the coming term. My hope is September comes and we are back to full curriculum with no social distancing.

Just found out our prep is welcoming all children up to y6 back on Monday. Am so relieved. No mention of fees as yet (we also got a 20% discount). We are providing packed lunches and learning will continue online with teacher supervising. The day is also shorter to enable staggered start and pick up times. If that continues in September I think it would warrant a discount but maybe 10% not 20. If it's back to normal then we'd expect to pay full fees.

We have had 15% reduction. Mine are all back, but shorter days. I don't think my children's school will give a reduction in the Autumn term even if they only have children back in on a shorter day/less curriculum.

They funded the discount by furloughing support staff. I think they might be trying to build up a buffer in case there is a second lockdown over the winter, in which case they will give another fee discount.

Our fees include wrap around care 8-6. At the moment, the hours are 8.30 - 3.45 so if that is still the case in September I will be expecting a discount on the fees.

I am hoping they can get back full time in September there are only 20 to a class so that’s only a few more than the recommended bubbles so I m hoping they can manage it. We have a 10% reduction in fees for summer term, I think that’s fair. If they aren’t going back in September full time I would expect this to continue but if we have to pay full fees then so be it, I want DD to still have a school to go back to!!

Good thoughts! Yes I too agree, I still want a school there. So yes, if it's full fees so be it.

Thanks for the rounded view. I was getting my knickers in a twist.

Our school from Thursday are also taking all years up to Year 6 back, reduced timetable and no wrap around care but they've nailed it.

We were told they weren't increasing the fees for September. They are hoping the boarders can be back by then, so I assume they are hoping everything will be reasonably back to normal.

We had 10% reduction in fees this tern, but DS(15) in Y10 seems to be doing more work than he was in school with the remote learning they are providing.

Our school reduced summer term fees by 25%. They are also providing five (rather than six) online lessons a day, and clubs after. They also extended the term by two weeks.
R, Y1 and 6 are back, Y10 and 12 back one day a week. The head would like to get the rest of the years back at least part time before summer term ends, but is awaiting government guidance.
Unless there's a second wave severe enough to have another lock down, I'm assuming our school will be back full time in September. If not, I really think they have done a stellar job so far. Not only for my child, but in remaining open all through Easter for 40+ key worker kids and keeping the boarding houses open as some children could not get home in time. I would happily pay full fees.

Arguably private school is better value due to covid19. The gap in teaching between private and state is massive and getting into top universities means competing against your national cohort at the end of the day.

Agreed @FloatyBoat. There were suggestions a 1/3 of private schools would go under (and 30
have), but many might be able to hang on as many parents will pay if the state provision is only part-time (and they can get theirs back in full-time).

We haven’t had a discount this term and not sure about next term- except lunches.
So glad DS is at private school though. The home learning provision has been amazing and they are all back at school on Monday. 4 days a week and only 3 weeks to the holidays but better than most of our friends with children at State schools.
Also reassuring that they are likely to be in in September if they can do it now. Fridays off is no big deal for us, I don’t work Friday.

We also pay for 8-6, with the paid option to go in for breakfast at 7, stay for tea til 7.30pm or sleep over.

However, they only spend from 8am - 4.20pm with their form group. Less than that really as the whole year group play sport together every day too. The rest of the time they are mixed up for extra-curricular stuff.

I have no doubt that they will all be back full time in September (as they will be from next week). If the need to stay in bubbles remains, it will be a very different school though.

I'll still be happy to pay full fees as I want them to stay afloat.

We have had a full teaching timetable on line during the whole pandemic, so the fee reduction was small, as most teachers are still working.

Our school has also already confirmed in writing that they will be fully reopening in September (how many private schools can afford to remain closed or part time??) We expect to pay full fees.

We would support the school with full fees or close to, as we want the school to survive. This going to be a very testing time for the independent sector, unless you are in trouble financially it would be wise to continue to pay the fees in full.

Can't wait to go back!

Presumably you have a contract with the school, what does that say about delivering the service in "unusual" times?

My child is back in school Mon- Fri but slightly shorter hours due to staggered drop off/ pick up times (plus they are continuing to provide comprehensive online learning for those children who have not come back). 20% fee reduction.
We have been told that fees are frozen for next term at least but I would expect all years to be back by then.
I want the school to succeed and therefore I am happy to pay.

Our school offered 10%. I think they should offer more. But they don’t have a large cash buffer or endowment. The children aren’t back this term (other than for one day or so). They have done a reasonably good online offer but there is
room for improvement. They have done well in maths/english etc, but there are some staff who have done very little - languages, art, music, science, PE. I think it’s tough for everyone but at my work everyone’s incomes have dropped, everyone has taken pay cuts, the outlook looks pretty bleak. I think 20% or 25% reduction would be better. Also if this continues for long I do not know how long we can afford this for - our income has dropped substantially. We will see...

@Pipandmum govt now says schools can do what they want so if your head isn't getting them all back, ask him why. Lots are.

We haven’t received any fee reduction, although the planned fee increases for next year will not be made and we haven’t been charged for things like lunches and trips.

The school made it clear that it was not possible to provide fee reductions and expect the school to provide home learning and remain a viable business. They furloughed the staff they could (e.g- canteen staff), but all the teachers have continued to teach remotely. In addition, the school has had to provide financial support to parents who needed it due to job/business losses, so those who could afford to pay were expected to continue to do so. Of course there were parents who didn’t agree, however they have signed a contract and have to give a full terms notice before withdrawing their child. It was politely pointed out that this was an option should they choose to take it!

None of this was an issue for us as we wanted to ensure the school was still there for our children to go back to and we have received home learning support in the meantime.