It's pretty simplistic to think you can say 'they are paying less and getting more'
In independent schools, it just isn't the case that it is always possible to e a toy measure what you are 'getting' or that it is directly related to the exact amount you pay.
Most independent school parents don't try to connect each penny they spend to a specific thing they 'get' but I guess that is how some people think or try to measure it....even though it is very hard to quantify and value in monetary terms what is provided.
I think it's a mistake to see the number of hours a teacher is visible online, as equating to the school providing more. Schools are assessing what is the best way to teach children of different ages in the current climate. They are reaching different judgements in the same way different schools do in normal times about the best ways to do things.
Number of hours the teacher is visible online isn't a great measure of it the school is earning it's money. Many schools have recognised that some flexibility is needed at this time - parents are working and so want to be able to sit with their young children while they work and find it better to do that in the evening or weekend. Some have key workers as parents who need so sleep some of the day and the house to be quiet or an adult isn't available for input,Many children are sharing a laptop with a sibling and can't both be online at the same time. Sitting in front of a screen watching a teacher for extended periods of time isn't helpful for anyone, but especially very small children.
So, when schools send lots of different possibilities home, they are trying to accommodate the vast range of circumstances people find themselves in. When they send some work to be done by the children without the teacher, or by the children with the parent, they aren't doing it to shirk their responsibilities and have a quiet afternoon in the garden...but it has been deemed to be a good way to learn in conjunction with other stuff provided. Most people can see this bigger picture but some can only measure 'quality of education' or value for money by how many hours the teachers face is live in front of them.
I think there is some anger out there amongst a minority of parents in both state and Independnet sectors at the moment. Some of it arises because parents are stressed working from home and finding it hard to have the children at home and want the school to occupy them fully during the school day so that they almost aren't there at home. Some of it arises because parents can't imagine what teachers might be doing if they aren't live on the screen and think they must be dossing about. Some of it arises because people are hard up and worrying about fees and express this in terms of deciding the school isn't value for money. Some of it is people who can only see a very short term relationship between what they pay this term and what they receive this term, rather than the longer term impact of fees on what schools can provide into the future for their children. Some of it is because some schools are providing a poor show and haven't improved when parents have clearly communicated their frustrations.
Is anyone of here actually withholding fees? This is the thread title. Op hasn't made it entirely clear if she has or will be withholding fees, even though they have been reduced by 30%.
Again, if not happy the way forward is to communicate it. Communicate it every day if you feel the need. Engage about what you think should be provided and why and what the school's reasoning is behind what they are providing - perhaps their explanation will satisfy you when you hear it, or not. But you are contracted to pay until the contract ends. You can end it by giving notice and withdrawing your child as per the terms of the contract.
The supporters of the Op don't seem to want to engage with the basic contractual facts - that there are formal complaint processes, contracts can be ended and children withdrawn and that then fees can stop be being paid.....but until then, they are contractually due.
In reality, most people on here who are saying they are not happy don't want to actually engage in serious discussion with the school about what is being provided and what should be provided. They have a bit of a feeling of discontent but would struggle to say exactly what is amiss. They don't want to withdraw their children. They do want the school to be there next term and next year. BUT at the same time they have a general sense of unsettledness that lots of people have at the moment generally. They don't like paying out the fees and feel a bit aggrieved about it and so moan here and on social media and to other parents. But actually they don't really want to engage with the school about it all in a meaningful way. Personally I think it's a bit cowardly.