Independent school fees

[jeanne16]

Who will be paying next term’s fees? Furthermore what will you do if schools don’t open in September?

I can see some of the smaller Independent schools really struggling going forward.

We will. We’ve had an email about it. From my pov they are going through an exceptional event beyond their control and doing an excellent job of maintaining teaching albeit at a distance. I wouldn’t want the fabulous staff to lose their jobs.

PS agree about the smaller schools though

Well, if they're offering remote learning and following the timetable... Why wouldn't you pay the fees?

I can only imagine the year 13 summer terms fees might be lost? I guess the year 11s could be finishing their GCSE course, with a view to sit in autumn, or start their Alevels early?

Presumably the y11s will want to finish in an attempt to help them at a level...

We have two kids in the independent sector in different schools. Neither have hinted at their plans for fees next term. One is going to be teaching to the normal timetable. It is an academic school chosen for this reason and our child already has an academic scholarship there, so I can't see us quibbling. The other has been hopeless this last week. They are using technology they don't know how to use properly. They are relying on us to teach our kids using handouts scanned from old text books when there are far better teaching resources online. They don't seem to understand the difference between distance teaching and distance learning. It has been a headache. We are considering demanding assurances and offering to pay week by week so we have some control over the quality of provision.

We’ll pay full fees. Very important to support the school at this difficult time.

Our school started remote learning before Easter break. They have extended the break to end of April, and the school year by two weeks in July. When kids 'go back', they will have a slightly reduced schedule but still have homework, tests etc. They will be at their computers a fair chunk of the day.
The school has said they will give us a 25% discount for the summer term (lunch is paid separately as some bring a packed lunch). Not that they have made 25% savings- in fact they are staying open for the whole break for key worker kids, the boarding element is also having to stay open, so some expenses have gone up. But they are mindful that many families have had their income reduced so are trying to help and of course retain students moving forward.

We have to pay. The Head made it clear that we were contracted in. It's a nuisance really as the academics aren't especially great, but the school is fantastic as an overall experience for our son who's on the spectrum and needs a very small setting with a family feel. So, we are paying to receive shitty worksheets and random links, but he's having none of the social experience we are actually paying for. Oh well.

We think the kids will be back to school in September, so we won't pull out. Until then, I'm happy support his home schooling (former teacher)

Yes we'll pay. Don't actually have any choice though as there's no other school options where we are.

I am miffed however that the school fees for next term has been sent out without them even addressing the situation. Even if they're not going to offer a discount (which they won't) I just feel it would of been courteous during this time to at least acknowledge what's happening. For a British school (overseas) to pride themselves on such a well established and ethical reputation, I just feel the head needs to grow some balls and address his customers! Instead we're just received the bulk standard electronic invoice by his accounts department.

A bit of PR would have been appropriate!

Our school attempts have been pretty bad so far. 2 x webex lessons a day (Whole year not perfect class) and then 2 x self learning with a power point presentation which means that I have to stop/reschedule my work to help them . Hopefully they will sort it out over Easter, but if not I would hope for some form of discount going forward

Anyone with a child in year 13 at private school? It feels unfair to be paying for a term's fees for a student who isn't even going to sit an exam. I know there are other costs involved and I don't want the school to get into difficulties but they've had 7 years of money from us plus my daughter is a straight A student with an offer from Cambridge so she's a great advert for the school. We are taking a massive pay cuts because of the situation.

My DS is Y13. He would only have had 4ish weeks of teaching anyway next term before exam leave. We haven't been told what they are planning for next term yet, but on the basis that teachers are going to be heavily involved in the creation of the grades, I think it's fair enough to pay the fees.

DD at a different indy, Y11, has had full timetable via video links, VLE slides etc. The school have said the first half of next term will be given over to an introduction to their A level subjects - sort of enrichment rather than actual syllabus (even if girls are hoping to go elsewhere for 6th form), using the same formats. Obviously teachers will also be predicting grades. And we have still been given a 10% discount.

I have a Y13 and we've been offered 20% discount for the summer term. There's still Zoom lessons, homework on Firefly and coursework to complete.

No word from my Y10's school regarding fees yet. We can just about scrape through to the end of Y11 (though we'll have to borrow money as DH and I are both self employed) but if it carries on too long DS will have to move to state 6th form after that.

Just posted a similar thread elsewhere as I hadn't seen this. DC1 at grammar school and they have been amazing - worked very hard and were able to deliver online. Not perfect, but completely appreciate everything they have done. Offered 10% and we're very happy with that.

Younger DC (Y6) prep, to my mind, have been very slow. Home learning pack was useful, but essentially handed over the teaching and supervision to parents. Multiple projects and presentations for each subject. Completely impossible for many to action as we're working. Excuses about technology being not ideal and difficult. Really ticked me off actually, because they have so many resources. Offered 20% discount.

We haven't been told yet what the situation re fees is. My dc is only 5 so any online learning is going to have to be heavily supported by me. Was pretty underwhelmed by what they sent home when the school closed, we didn't have any face time with the teachers over zoom was just a couple of apps and some work set, but we were expected to do it all. Hoping over Easter they sort out something much better quality.

I'm expecting a discount as their costs are lower. We are self employed and have already taken a significant hit to income so expecting the school to share the burden of this situation.

Here's the latest info on what may schools are doing to pass their savings on to parents from the similar thread in Secondary Education.

It's very difficult to make the screenshots readable and MN won't let you upload the actual file.

I am happy to send it to anyone that PMs me an email address.