Course fees and repayment

[FlabulousChix]

I have just handed in my notice and am on sick leave until it is finished. In September last year I started a course at college paid for by work. The course has not finished but I won't be completing. Due to work commitments I missed two exams postponed and numerous sessions to work none of this time was paid. They are going to issue me with a demand for repayment by post this week. I'd like to refute to pay it in full as I have had to resign through stress which I told them about in December and subsequent times but it's been ignored. I also have gained nothing and worked as opposed to studying. Work has been so bad ice had sleepless nights panic attack and chest pains. All met with silence by my line manager and a link to a time management course! I'm super fast with a keyboard speed of 100wpm no one could have worked faster. Giving me 7 days work to complete in five days. Can I counteract the request and dispute the amount? I'm even prepared to go to court and take the ccj. I live alone and my disposable income is 90 a month after food and petrol. Any advise be appreciated. Thank you

Sounds awful. Glad you are getting out of it.
Did you have to sign something at the start of the course agreeing to pay back the course fees if you left before X date? A colleague of mine who did an MBA paid for by work had to sign to say she would pay fees back if she was going to leave within 2 years after the planned end of the course, whether completed or not. If you signed something like this it is possible enforceable but you can offer to pay at £1 a week if that's all you can afford and honour is served without bankruptcy. If you didn't then walk away and don't worry about it.

Unfortunately I did sign. I wanted to put up some kind of resistance first if I could. I was trying to stay until two years then go constructive dismissal but I couldn't take any more

I think its unreasonable to enforce the contract on you when they didn't stick to their part - was there a their part? Even if not in writing - not allowing time off for exams is an issue so I think you may have a case, you need too speak to a legal person or potentially get advice from ACAS as they are pretty good on these things

Will call them tomorrow and that's a good point ahout time for the exams. Was impossible with the work load I think I can use that to bring the amount down. That against all the times I failed to go to college due to work they never pis me my additional money

Good point RB68 - OP have you got a papertrail / saved emails proving that you weren't getting time off for study or exams? How much were these course fees?

The course fees were 1695 plus books and Aat membership but in arguing that as they pay all finance membership fees and I don't believe it's refundable to them. We have a swipe system so they can see I was there when I should not have been