Withholding fees for now - anyone else?

[Chocstar]

My DC attend a prep school and I've been so utterly disappointed by the provision so far that I am holding back from paying the term's fees at present. I don't think the school is providing any work in a way that is engaging in any way shape or form. Just wondering if anyone else has held back paying this term's fees for now for these reasons?

They're providing work during a national crisis.

You're refusing to pay fees because you don't think it's engaging enough.

I have a feeling you're on a hiding to nothing to be honest.

Don't be ridiculous. You are liable for fees. And if you haven't given notice by the start of this term, you are now liable for them up to Christmas.

Please don't be one of those parents 🙄 If you want to move to a different school (where provision is better perhaps in your eyes?) do it the right way.

Give notice and find a new school. Don't risk the future by dicking about withholding fees because you think you made the wrong decision in your original school choice.

All schools have an admissions clause that says you have to be up to date with previous fees and bursars and heads talk to each other.

Of course we are normally obliged to pay, but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to pay for something worth paying for.

Seems likely you’ll be in breach of contract.

It doesn’t work like that. You really need to pay your fees. Have you had a discount at all? We’ve had 25% but v big school. If you are not happy with provision take it up with the school.

You're paying for the school to educate. You're not paying for the school to do things the way you want.

If you are unhappy and feel provision isn't as engaging as you want, then put notice in, leave and find another school that either does things your way.
If you honestly think because you pay fees you get to hold fees as a gun to a school's head if they don't do things your way then get looking for somewhere that's open to parents throwing their weight around and being unreasonable.

Maybe the school will close completely. Is that a possibility?

How old is your child, and what exactly have they provided so far? Also, since the schools closed, how many weeks be part of the Easter Holidays?

Is it a boarding school?

Have they given you a discount on fees?

What online provision are they making?

If you thought the face-to-face lessons were rubbish under normal conditions, or your DC were not getting the grades you expected, would you also withhold the fees?

Under normal conditions, let's say you think the Maths teacher is rubbish, but the English teacher is OK, Would you withhold, say, 20% of the fees?

Do you still think that's reasonable?

Completely unacceptable. You are being totally unreasonable. Talk about discounted fees (possibly) if you yourself are furloughed, but otherwise, carry on paying. If the teachers are setting work and assessing it, then they’re doing all they need to. Maybe you could challenge your DC if they need it.

No, I paid ours today. The school has prepared a full online syllabus as far as I can tell in a very short time.. It’s not ideal but it’s much better than other schools. Plus we have a 25% discount. It’s a reasonable compromise at a difficult time.

My FIL is a Governor of a private school he said any parents not paying their fees shouldn't expect a place in Sept!! Waiting list for every year group and happily get rid of parents who won't pay fees!! Good luck OP

I have a 7 year old and a 9 year old. Only two online 'lessons' this week per child. One lesson had a bit of teaching, one was just chat. All other lessons are mostly 'read what you have to do' (this has sometimes amounted to several pages) then do the work set.

Of course I wouldn't not pay if one or two teachers out of all the staff were a bit rubbish.

Well, it depends really if you want the school to be there to educate your child in the terms and years to come.

If you can't see the correlation between parents paying fees now and the longer term viability of the school, you are missing the point. Yes, you pay for now, but also to allow the school to keep going in future. Given most people don't just buy the one term of education, that's pretty important.

Voice your concerns to the school if you have some. Be clear about exactly what they are not providing that you would expect in the circumstances. Engage in communication.

Most independent school parents are able to take a broader view and a longer term view. Those who find themselves in financial difficulties explain it to the school and schools understand in these times that thy need to be flexible. That's very different to parents who can afford fees just refusing to pay.

Whatbis being offered now is different to what you signed up for and the school signed up to provide. However, this isn't a service like having someone round to clean your cooker as a one-off and where you pay for the service if delivered and dont, if you don't have the service. This is an ongoing financial commitment that lasts years and parents want the school to be there in future years for their child, not just for this one term. Most people understand that the circumstances everyone finds themesleves in now are truly unique.

Of course schools can't provide the usual service. They have been told to close by government. However, they face the vast majority of the costs they would if they were open. Without fee income, many will close or be able to offer a lesser service in following years. You have to look at the longer impact.

Yes, schools should be offering a decent service now, albeit different. Most schools are doing just that...but some parents don't seem to understand that it just won't be the same as being at school. That doesn't mean a good education for the current circumstances isn't being provided. Most secondaries are now offering some online live contact with teachers, work set for students to do at home, marking, contact with school via tutors or some form of pastoral care, plus some also offer online Games, extra curricular opportunities etc. It isn't 8-4 of children facing a teacher online....and who would want that for their children either?

Speak to the school if you're disappointed and I'm sure they will engage with you. This thread sounds pretty goady.

So, pay up regardless of quality of provision?

That amount of work and contact sounds fine to me. It is only Wednesday. You don’t mentions if they have offered a discount or if you have asked?

Is this a usually decent independent schools which is highly regarded and if a decent size? Is it one of those tiny ones which are struggling financially and for numbers at the best of times?

Some schools are very much hanging on for existence at the best of times. This will finish some of them off and parents who refuse to pay (but who joined such schools) won't help but hasten their decline.

With Prep, things are different to senior. Children's capacity to watch a teacher online by themselves is limited. Parents will need much more input - the is no getting away from it.

Regardless of whether the school is failing to provide or you are being unreasonable in your expectations, communication is key and it would be entirely unreasonable of you to withhold fees and not talk to them about your concerns and give them a chance to get things sorted out. Otherwise, I suggest you pay up and give notice to leave....although you have probably missed that deadline for the autumn term as the summer term has now started. However, in the circumstances school will probably cut you off the roll if you refuse to pay and won't want to see you back in Septemeber either.

I think this is goady due to the moaning but seeming refusal to engage in actual discussion with the school.

Yes - pay up. I’m paying for my DC’s extra curricular activities in full despite there being no online provision for them. I am working from home on a full salary so I am paying in order to keep the provision available when all this is over.

Agree with what others say.

If you're not happy with the education being provided, speak with them, find out what they've got planned etc.

If still not happy, give notice and look for another school.

In the meantime, pay your fees as per contract.

You can make suggestions to them on how you feel u can help, maybe if u have a free time create an example. Try to be proactive.
You need the school to continue after this difficult period, if they close down, what r u going to do?
You cant withhold money like that, there is a contract you have to respect. Read what it says and act accordingly. They'll give ur places to another family...

It is a case of engage with the school indiscussionnif you are happy.

However, you are contracted to pay - the contract doesn't say you should pay if you are satisfied. This applies to anytime. If the school proved disappointing at any point, you still are not entitled to not pay up. You can always give notice and leave but not just refuse to pay. I'd imagine you already know this.

Again, what communication have you had about your disappointment?

I have communicated with the school and am hoping what they are providing will improve. I'm sorry if I came across as saying that I'm refusing to pay. I just don't really want to pay right now, as I've been so frustrated by the provision as it stands at present. I think the teachers are working really hard, so I wouldn't want them to lose out. Of course, I wouldn't want to school to go under either. It's not one where there's a waiting list, but they do charge more than all the other preps in the area. We're getting 30% off.

That’s a pretty good discount to be fair. I think it would be better for you to contact the school and politely ask if it would be possible for some particular work that you would like and then take a little step back as there may well be staff already in school with the children of doctors etc.