Private School Teacher's Discount on school fees

[PJUK]

There is an old thread on this but years old so starting anew.

My kids are in an independent school and just found out the discount on fees for teachers kids is around 75%.

I am sure there’s mixed feelings on this but I’m sick about it. Why should I be subsiding others when I pay in full just because they work there?

Bursaries are another matter and justified.

I can’t think of another industry or business where the ‘employee discount’ is so substantial.

Anticipate other’s views.

It's a way for them to entice the best teachers to work for them.

It’s 50% at my DCs school, for all staff not just teachers
I don’t have a problem with it (I don’t work there)

It's part of a private teachers pay package. You aren't subsidizing them any more than you are paying their wages. ...it's a way of keeping good staff as if the kids are in that school they are unlikely to leave for a better job

A teacher with children in the school is much more likely to hang around. I'd say it's a bargain if it means you are keeping good staff.

I don’t see it like that… it’s a perk of the job, it keeps the staff happy, the staff stay. Stable, long-serving (and happy!) staff is one of the best predictors of school successes for everyone involved.

I think if you’re paying for private school, you can’t start splitting hairs over where the money goes, that’s getting into ‘I pay your wages’ territory.

Because they are far more likely to attract and then keep good teachers by having a discount, and that is then better for your DCs education.

I work in an independent school. My children don’t go there but it’s a way of retaining staff in the main. Teacher and other staff recruitment is difficult and costly, if you get their children in the school at a discount, they are far less likely to leave which means greater consistency for your kids. In addition, most schools don’t account for the kids as being subsidised by others but as ‘extras’, so it’s extra cash really, they are not taking a place away they are an additional child in that year/class that wouldn’t otherwise be there. There are not enough and never will be of staff sending their kids to make an overall difference to class size, ratios etc. A lot of teachers can’t afford to send their kids even with the discount mind you!

It was the same in my DC's school. Didn't have a problem with it as such, except when it meant that there were jaded staff members who had been there nine years (2 kids, 2 years apart) and were very clearly desperate to leave (and it showed!)

What exactly makes you sick about it? You choose whether or not to send your children there. They choose whether or not to work there. The package offered is what entices them.

Don't you have perks in your job? Or bonuses?

I don't understand the problem.

My niece gets staff discount for working at M&S. are you subsidising her every time you buy a bag of Percy Pigs? Staff discount on school fees is a way of locking in good staff for a long time. Given the staff turnover rate in my DS state school yo-yo should be extremely grateful that this discount enables the school to have a stable workforce.

You are not subsidising them, it has absolutely nothing to do with you. It is part of the teachers’ salary package. Teachers are not highly paid so it is an incentive to work at a particular school and stay there, perhaps you would prefer a high turnover of staff or for the school to only employ young inexperienced teachers to teach your kids. Would you think you were getting better value for your fees then?

@MargeIsBack In addition, most schools don’t account for the kids as being subsidised by others but as ‘extras’, so it’s extra cash really, they are not taking a place away they are an additional child in that year/class that wouldn’t otherwise be there.

If class sizes are 'capped' at e.g. 18-20 in an over-subscribed school then their children must be taking a place of a fully-paid child, surely?

Exactly. Let's say it's a primary school. A teacher with 2 kids starts when her youngest is in nursery and she's just back from maternity.

They pretty much guarantee she stays until the youngest finishes primary school.

If they have a linked secondary school, they've locked in a good teacher for 15 years. For them it's worth two extra bums on seats.

I work in a private school. I see the staff discount as beneficial for all students.

Discount is 60%. Was 50% in my previous.

It's good for staff retention and staff interest in the school being a well run, successful establishment.

Also - Do you feel the same about the bursary/scholarship kids?

Send them to state school if you aren't happy or qualify as a teacher and take advantage 😂

My DH teaches in an independent school, and we get 60% discount. DH earns around 15K less than he would do in an equivalent state role, but that is worth it to us as we have two DC to get through school. He's an excellent teacher and would be snapped up in a moment by anywhere else, but fee discount keeps him totally loyal, as PP have mentioned.

As long as the teacher's child fulfills entry requirements like scoring enough on an entry exam then it's fine imo. Do you feel the same about kids on bursaries ?

Then that’s a choice the school has made. It’s not taking someone else’s place, it’s that those kids were registered first

I think fair enough, it's a perk and to entice teachers... you know like in companies where you get a car.. or some where they provide accommodation. It's what a private school can offer.. I wouldn't begrudge it at all. Plus I don't think you'd subsidise much at all. They're providing the teaching to their own children essentially, it makes sense to me.

You need a bigger problem.

To be honest, although it's good financially, it's not always great for the kids. My DS was friends with a very talented dance/ drama performer whose parent taught at the school, but it's clear they were never given the lead roles in shows for fear of complaints of favouritism .

Jesus just be thankful you’re in a position to pay for your child’s schooling.

If class sizes are 'capped' at e.g. 18-20 in an over-subscribed school then their children must be taking a place of a fully-paid child, surely?
There may well be exceptions, but in my experience, the over-subscribed schools are not offering 75% discount.