Help!!! Registered DD with independant school and told today next years fees are going up by 35%

[feelingused]

Have I got anyway out?

DD is starting school in September and has been registered with them for some time to start then. We accepted place, paid deposit etc etc and were provided with this years fees and advised the rise would be around 10% but this was unconfirmed (we have this in writing)

Today I went to a new parents session and was given a package of information including next years fees which have gone up by 35%, on top of that after care charges have shot up by 25% and even the school meals have gone up by £50 a term. Other parents were shocked as well especially one woman who already has three children at the school and is looking at these rises for all of them.

I expected some rises obviously but these are a complete shock. I've not told DP yet but am dreading his reaction. Feel as if we're going to ahve to pay a terms fees and look for another option as don't trust the school anymore - please tell me if there's a way out of this?

OMG - 35%!!!! Was that from a particularly low base? They have some serious explaining to do - ask for a breakdown of the increase.

Not low, fees were standard for the area (don't think they are anymore mind you!)

Have they not justified it to you? Are they building a sports centre or something? 35% is completely unreasonable.

Many schools, once you are in them, have a policy that if the fees rise by more than a certain percentage without a certain amount of notice you can withdraw your child without the usual notice period/penalty.

I would have thought that a 35% rise would be enough to be in that category! You should look carefully through anything that came from the school when you registered and accepted the place - these sort of things should be covered somewhere in that.

I don't see why you should have to pay a term's fees when they haven't given you a term's notice of the fee increase.

Not so far as we can tell. We asked the staff and they said it was just what the governing body had decided and there was nothing they could do about it.

DP has just phoned and I can't bear to tell him on the phone - he's going to be fuming. Worst of it is he perferred another school but went with my choice

35% is a whopping increase!

They shouldn't collude, but it would be interesting to know if the other nearby independent schools have also done this, otherwise they could have ppl stampeding to their door.

What were the reasons given for it?

I can't see how the school can seriously expect people to pay that without any justification.

amuminscotland - you are a genius and I could kiss you - I've just found what looks like the get out clause you describe in the contract. If the rise is over 18% and notified after the start of the preceeding term we can withdraw.

Looks like the ideal solution is to leave DD at the nursery she's at for another year (not given written notice there yet thankfully) and find her another school for next year when she reaches formal school age.

HUGE sigh of relief

That sounds like a great solution, glad it worked ou!

Just thought I'd post this as I'm over the moon. I just spoke to DP and explained whats happening (he works away 4 days a week).

Appears he was never sure about the school because of a bad experience his friend had had but let me go ahead because I was set on it. HOWEVER he's registered DD for another school, taken her for assessment (it's selective and I wasn't sure about that side of things) and she was put on waiting list and has just been offered a place. All without me knowing.We've got until the end of next week to decide whether to accept

What a roller coaster of an evening

I am actually more stunned that your dp managed to register and have your dd assessed for another school with out your knowledge or consent. All the paperwork that I've seen was very keen on ensuring that they had the consent of both parents.

That's great but a bit underhand of your dp - I'd be a bit annoyed. Well I'd be a lot annoyed actually even if the outcome is good.

Good news, but I'd be very concerned about the way you two seem to manage your communication and decision-making.

All extremely good questions and ones that kept me awake until gone 3am. I don't know and yes after the relief came huge annoyance.

Will have to have a "big talk" with him when he comes home

So what was his explanation feelingused!?

The outcome to this story is really bizarre. Why did your dp do tis behind your back?

This is really strange. How did your dp manage to keep this a secret - actually, WHY would he want to keep it secret? Where did you think he was taking your dd (presumably on a work day)and why did she not say anything to you about it. Regardless of the outcome of his actions, I think you need to have a serious discussion with him.