Independent school Yr11 - giving notice in case don't get into 6th Form?

[SadAboutTheBoy]

I hadn't thought about this until a friend mentioned it.
DS is at an independent school in Year 11. We've assumed he will stay on to 6th form and the school say he will have a place if he wants it, subject to getting certain grades (which he is currently predicted).
We have a place at the local 6th form college too, just in case anything changes after GCSEs (e.g. he has a disaster, and doesn't get the grades to stay).
However another parent has said that we should send the school a 'provisional notice to leave' at the beginning of this term, so as not to risk being charged a term's fees.
I had assumed this wouldn't be necessary as he'd only leave if his current school said he didn't meet the entry requirements, but she has said there is the chance they would offer a student just two A levels or 3 A levels over 3 years, and then you'd be liable for a terms fees if you turned it down.

Anyone else heard of this happening? What do you say in a 'provisional notice to leave'?

If his current school doesn’t offer him a sixth form place, then you should not be liable for fees.

Often, in the small print, they will explain whether you give notice in Year 11 or not.

My DSs school has asked us to complete a form indicating if we will definitely be leaving, or, if grades are achieved, definitely staying. This seems to be the 'notice' to leave. we would not be liable if he does not achieve his grades.

I think the issue my friend was identifying was if a student doesn't get the grades to study the 3 A levels they want, but the school says 'you can stay and do just 2 in X &Y, then they argue that they have offered a place but it has been turned down?

We were instructed to inform the school if DD was not staying on by the end of the Easter holiday to avoid paying any fee's for next year...I had the same thoughts about DD being offered a change in subjects if she did not get expected results ...but given that we have submitted written confirmation of subjects I feel comfortable that I would argue out any request for payment of fees in the circumstances were she cannot continue at school in her chosen subjects.

OP. You need to go through your original documentation very carefully and also check all areas on their website/your parent only online resource. It may well say that you are liable for a term's fees from Sept unless you give notice to leave. Notice to leave is normally required before the start of the summer term so start writing now. After the results your DS may well be offered a place with adjustments for grades gained/over a longer period. If you only want to stay at the current school for certain subjects for the two years then at the very least get confirmation from the school that their offer is only subjects X, X and X at X grades and that this offer to your DS will lapse if the min grades are not met.