Should the schools refund fees?

[thetell]

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/parents-take-on-bailiffs-in-battle-over-private-school-fees-ss36jtmhk

I feel for these schools - not that I don’t feel for the parents too but surely if they want the schools there when they can restart education properly it is important to pay what the schools have asked for as presumably they know this is what they need to charge to survive. Slightly larger sums than keeping going with a National Trust membership I concede, but these schools will be crippled if they have to fight expensive court cases on top of already being worried about money due to unforeseen pandemic.

If the schools are continuing to provide a full online curriculum, then it's hard to see that parents would have a strong case for much of a refund.

Some reductions for consumables not consumed? But what other reductions in costs would the schools have to be passed on to parents?

Exactly. Our local prep has far more KW children in this time so can’t furlough staff, so cannot pass on the same reduction as last time.

No kids but friends who have say current lockdown has been significantly better than first and kids have a full day work each day and access to teachers and one-one feedback .
This particular school already required kids to have an iPad exclusively for their use so connectivity was not an issue.
I believe first lockdown was shambolic though and clearly parents would be justified in expecting better.
Local state schools are not doing so well - we are in Scotland.

My DD’s is giving a refund for terms of homeschooling. They have fewer costs but still lots so that’s fair. The bigger issue is where parents have lost their jobs and are struggling to pay.

It's difficult on all sides.

DS goes to private Scottish school, paid for by GPs - I'm wondering if it's the same one as @Happytentoes friends - as first lockdown provision was woeful and we heard anecdotally that some staff - who could have been used to provide at home learning- were furloughed. School refunded a derisory amount eventually to all DPs, but suggested we donate it to the school benevolent fund used for DPs who can't afford the fees for various reasons, and which I'm somewhat against anyway for various reasons.

This time round online provision has been excellent. We as parents are notified if DS doesn't submit anything- he's in S3 - and when I emailed with concerns as DS was struggling, the pastoral teacher rung me back the same afternoon. His report has just come through and it's good considering the circumstances. No complaints this term at all and no refund expected.

I don’t expect a refund. There has been full online interactive lesson provision as usual
I do expect lunch money back though and we are apparently getting a credit for that.
If there hadn’t been enough good quality teaching though I would not have been happy

Online provision at my dd's school has been beyond fantastic this time around. We haven’t had a reduction in fees and wouldn’t expect one. Apparently lunch fees will be credited next term.

@rookiemere - they are NE Scotland.
Biggest issue this time around has been them missing their sports but that’s not the schools fault.
Friend will be excited to see them back soon 😁

@TheGonnagle same at my daughter's school.

Lockdown provision has actually been excellent during the first lockdown as well, but the school gave a 15% reduction in fees. This time around, only money for lunch will be refunded.

I don't mind, as they had full online lessons throughout.

@Happytentoes ah not the same school then - we're in Edinburgh.