Withdrawing from an independant school after accepting an offer

[speedylolo]

Hi,
For some background we are very torn on where our DD should start reception in September 2025 in London
Mix of cost, education choice and making the commute work for everyone. That s probably for another post...
But currently we are just applying everywhere and will see where we are lucky.
We have 3 independant schools we try to time so they answer at relatively the same time end of November.
But are also tempted by a local state school (that would still require a flat change to be closer and safe...).
The independant Schools have the much discussed 1 full term of notice for withdrawal. I wonder if for September that means before end of spring term or is it before the beginning of summer term.
Can we send the notice during the school holiday. Easter holidays being from the 7th to the 21st of April and the state school results being on the 15 of April.
Will we have a chance to pull out from independant school with a letter and e mail let s say on the 18th of April?

Thank you so much

You need to check with each, some will be end of spring term some before beginning of Summer term. Easter falls relatively late next year.

While I think it’s usually before the Easter holidays for senior schools (the state allocations are much earlier), for prep schools it may depend on the school. You will definitely lose your deposit though, and some schools even require a full term’s fee as a deposit 😳 Since applications are due in January, is there time for you to move?

It will probably be just before the Easter holidays. But check with the schools.

Primary state school allocations appear to be 16th of April which is, sadly in the middle of the Easter holidays. Can you be a new flat before January as that is when applications have to be in?

You need to read the contract for each school.

For some, there will be specific T&Cs about places that are relinquished before the pupil even starts.

And if you are not sure how they define a term icw giving notice, then ask them.

Thank you all
Yes I guess talking to the schools is the best. But at this stage we are going to get the interviews or assessment in the coming weeks Don t really want to reach out with these kind of question. "you are likely to be our second choice and we might pull out mid April would that be OK" maybe best will be before signing with a school like casually discussing the term of a contract...
But just trying to see if we can already form a clear plan... Or rather see how many options we can lose ourself in in speculation...

Thanks for your concern about moving! I did confirm with the council that any time before the 15th Jan would be OK. Visited a few flats to rent this week. Yes we are renting which make this kind of consideration possible...

Losing the deposit would certainly be painful but the final cost will be so different I think we can make peace with that.

Honestly if you can only afford a flat, I would go for the state option.

This is canary wharf, hard to find a house there and flats are more expensive than houses in this area ;)

Just ask them. Don't phrase it like you did just ask them what the steps are between acceptance of an offer and starting. They will give you the details including any non-refundable deposits. They are all VERY different! Ours was £500 non refundable deposit once the offer had been accepted, but this was taken off the first terms fees. We could apply at any time.

Be careful if you're renting just to put in a state school application. Do you own property too? Councils are really switched on to people trying to play the system by suddenly moving to catchment area.

I would ask but do it as sandwich question in writing

Ie ask a list of questions and bury it in the middle
Wrap around
Lunch
Bullying policy
Confirmation on How withdrawal works in practice and use an eg if a parent notifies by x payment os due until y
Music options - which instruments are available options
How many hours of mandarin each week can we expect?

Note: if renting in most boroughs ypu cannot own anywhere ie you must be sold. Too many people were playing the system

When you receive the offer you will get the contractual terms with it and before you sign.

It used to be £500 non refundable deposit if accepted and declined. If declined with less than one term's notice thereafter a term's fees were payable.

Friends of ours received offers from sought after secondaries from the waiting list in June/July. They had to pay a full term's fees but had factored this into their action plan and looked at it as a small price to pay balanced against the saving of a minimum of (at that time) about £95k over seven years. Those were the days.

@TemuSpecialBuy i like you idea thank you!

those schools do have a non refundable deposit more to the tune of 2-3k and we are fine with losing that a 6-8k term on top would just be very painful so trying to understand if we are going in a path of losing 2-3 or 8-11k if we commit to then change. definitely would still be cheaper to go the state school over a few years but other factors to consider indeed

Usually the deposit is applied against the final term fees, even if you withdraw after the deadline and your child never attends. So you’d hopefully only be out the term fees, not term fees + hefty deposit.

Private schools always have spaces at prep level.

Put the child into a state school (state till 8!) and use that time to really understand what is best for you.