Fee to register on the reserve list for a school - is the usual??

[TheBlonde]

I have put my child's name down for a number of private primary schools.
Some charge a fee to register - fair enough
I have just heard back from a school - their list is currently full but I can go on the reserve list. They still expect me to pay 50 quid for this

Is this normal or are they taking the mick??

Normal for some but it may be refundable against first terms fees. Do they also charge on acceptance of a place ?

We didn't have to pay anything until after we knew DD had a definite place, following her assessment in the November prior to starting. This was I think taken off the first term's fees - hard to tell though as we also had nursery vouchers come off as well.

Definitely not refundable
Once you have a place confirmed then it's more like 2K deposit against fees

I'm just surprised that I have to pay to be on the reserve list. Oh well

I think it's surprising too, would be tempted to decline their generous offer

50quid and possibly no hope of a place - it is money for nothing for them

we did this, to no avail. Sure they often realise people have no chance of a place but still take their deposit.What a nice little earner for them!