oversubscribed independents or just a bluff?

[EllaPella]

Not sure if anyone has any thoughts on this subject? My son was offered a place at Kingston Grammar School and we accepted and paid a £750 deposit. The terms said that the deposit was refundable if the place could be filled if we pulled out. Due to our circumstance we did pull out and now the school is saying that they still have spaces for Sept 12. Interesting - as you are completely led to believe that the school is over subscribed and in much demand.....? Any thoughts?

My DS is at kgs and I think that what they're saying is utter nonsense - I'm PMing you!

It may be sort of true. At the point of applying these schools are massively oversubscribed. But if someone pulls out after Easter, it can be a different story. Everyone on the waiting list will have accepted places elsewhere and will now very likely be on the hook for a term's fees if they withdraw to accept late offer elsewhere. Also people will have got into the mindset of having accepted a school, probably been to new parents evenings, bought uniforms etc. Not uncommon for waiting list offers to get turned down at this point.

However, you should keep on pushing.Check their T&C carefully. THat provision to refund the deposit is in the HMC code of admissions practice; they might be trying to wriggle out of it...

yes, I actually informed them in mid March so really not that long after accepting

We did the same thing years ago, when my son was going to enter a reception at a private school, we realised we wanted him to go state and pulled out. The deposit was much more, like 2000. We actually persisted and they finally did pay us back in the September after everyone had started school!

If you want to find out whether they are bluffing, you could phone posing as a prospective parent and ask whether there are any spaces available at the moment or whether you'd have to go onto a waiting list...

I think many parents put their DC in for at least 3 schools so more places do start to become available when offers are accepted.

I don't know specifically but live locally to KGS and was led to believe that it was a great school in high demand. I'm pretty sure they'll fill all places.