Private schools charging during Covid

[southlondonyummom]

Does anyone know the justification for private schools attempting to charge full fees during Covid 19, for sub standard online learning platforms.

Why can teachers not be placed on Furlough and insurance be claimed ?

Do we need to start naming and shaming these institutions with no morals ! Did they ever have our children's interests at heart? How can the charity commission not hold them accountable and why are they allowed to be run purely like businesses ?

My dd school private but different than normal private schools are still charging full fees iirc.

The teachers are there, lessons are as time table, assessment and marking still happening, music lessons.
Mine is a boarder and still expected to sign in on a sunday.
Still receive emails, report and monthly record card.
There's absolutely no difference except she's at home.

They are not businesses - they make no profits and have no shareholders. My kids school is most definitely a business, has shareholders and makes a profit. Many schools are not for profit but it's not a case for all of them.

Oh, yes, forgot mine is Y11 and still working for GCSE assessments.
Since being at home she completed Art coursework, taken photo's and sent these in for assessment.
There really is no difference.
She even has performance classes and peer reviews online.

Why don't people give this poor parent a break? She asked a simple question regarding full fees! Does anyone have any practical suggestions about how this can be challenged legally or via an appropriate channel? The closing down or keeping on the right side of the school is not anything of substance. Many will say such things not stand up for a cause or principle and then reap the rewards as the discount is applied following an awful lot of lobbying from other parents ! It's such an English mentality !

@Failedtothinkofanythingorigina - the majority of independent schools in the UK are charities. It’s not something you can easily make a profit from unless you are a crammer. I’d be pretty dubious about any school that claimed to be a business.

So is this the only advice? Seems like there must be something else that can be done as the standard varies and there does seem to be one body regulating all of this .

I genuinely need to know, so don't want to get caught up in all the insults does anyone actually have anything factual to add on what can be done?

All these mumsnet queries seem constantly hi jacked by ppl just throwing in their five pence, other agendas adding no value and questions never answered! As I understand it she/he never named the school so not sure why everyone is taking it so personal it's absurd !

If someone does have any legal background or real help please respond ! Thanks in advance

@Musmerian About half of independent schools in the UK are charities according to the House of Commons briefing paper from 2019. I think the UK although they could be referring to England only. Yes it's the majority but not by much!

I appreciate this thread is on the UK but I'm not UK based. Completely normal for schools to be profit making internationally and not a reflection at all on quality of education provided.

My school is owned by a private equity firm, so I do intend to challenge it . As I believe some discount should be offered and quality received is poor.

Insurers are refusing to payout.

I have a legal background - in my country my options are to pull my child out or suck it up. I know people pulling children out but I want a place in September.

In the UK you'd have to argue it was a breach of contract. The school can probably say the contract's frustrated. It would depend on the contract but there would be a strong argument that you can pull your child and not pay term 3 fees without having to give the usual notice. The school wouldn't have to give you a place in September though.

There's no way to force a fee reduction, that's just a negotiation.

Do you mean this

www.isi.net/about/what-we-do

Insurance companies will be arguing force majeure. Not surprised.

Come 15th April the situation will be very different when the schools try to charge the summer term fees to payment accounts to be told parents have cancelled. School budgets will be decimated. That's the time to negotiate a reduction.

After 1 million comments, only one person had the qualifications to provide an answer 🙈
I can see why this platform gets a bad reputation, totally unhelpful and bullying space for frustrated people. Hiding behind stage names, had this been on linked in where identification is not anonymous it will be ignored unless a sensible answer could be provided !

"Shall we start naming and shaming these institutions with no morals?"

Comments like this are alarming for many parents who like their child's school and have no wish to see them "named and shamed" by other parents who don't understand how things work.

I've just paid my fees - they have changed boarding fees to day fees and honoured all scholarships and bursaries. Full online school and as many extras as they can manage. I was happy to pay.

Here’s a snapshot at the reductions offered by some schools

My own personal view is that if you can still afford to pay full fees (like us) you should. There are still families where both parents work, families where grandparents pay the fees and where the fees are paid by a trust fund. All these people can still afford to pay. If you value your child’s school and can afford to pay full fees you should. The schools running costs will be minimally less.

Phivephatphish - that’s useful thanks - what is the source? Thanks.

My son's school has, so far, kept to their normal schedule, setting work and providing reading material. Teachers are available on-line for chat and advice. I want that to continue through lockdown so I don't want the teachers furloughed.

They are doing their best. We've learned to access the on-line education portals early in the morning before they get too busy.

I want my son to have a school to go back to after this is all over, so I will pay summer term fees.

@tonyaster

Your in a fortunate position, received a reduction and full online school. I've not had this for full boarding! Do you have anything helpful to suggest ?

I would like a job to go back to after this is over to!

Do you have anything helpful to suggest ?

Well, as this isn't your own personal internet forum you might have to encounter other people with their own experiences. If you are unhappy with what your school is providing I would contact them, and perhaps register your child immediately with the local authority for a state school place if you think you won't be able to afford fees due to job loss.