New Private School in Barnet - How much to haggle with fees

[barnetparent]

It's the first of two new schools in Barnet.
Around a year ago a Convent Girls School sold to a venture capital company, that invest in private schools, (currently they own 4 around London).

We had a eye on the girls school for 3 years now, and we had originally hoped to receive a scholarship for our daughter (now in yr6), or at very least a sizeable discount on fees (25% ish)

Since taking over, the new owners have changed the school to Co-ed, and have stated their intention to increase the pupil count to around 400, and class size to 20. Which still seems very appealing to us, as parents.

We have been offered a 10% discount on fees for our daughter, throughout her academic career at the school.

We have heard of some parents, with boys, being offer higher discounts on fees.

Being that the school in new, with no track record and has just changed to Co-ed, coupled with the fact that there are so many good schools in Barnet (QE boys, St Michaels, QE Girls, Finchley Catholic,,,)
we are guessing that this new school with have a to offer decent discounts to attract a full quota of pupils to reach capacity.

My question is; How much discount should we push for is any?
Does anyone have any experience of negotiating fees with private school, and what would they advise?

We really like the character of the school and think our daughter would fit nicely into this, at the same time with QE Girls performing well and improving, plus a brand new Ark academy, with first intake set for the new term, we really wonder if it's a wise choice to spend on school fees, when we could invest in say a bond or property for our daughter's future.

Advice welcome

"We really like the character of the school and think our daughter would fit nicely into this. . ."

What makes you so sure of this since this is a brand new school with even its DNA having being changed?

Friend of mine last week showed me the latest Ofsted report on Barnet schools and I was truly amazed how much QE Girls have improved. Like you said, Barnet have some of the nation's very top state schools and you are indeed very lucky to be a Barnet parent. Look at the state schools properly first. You're not talking the likes of Wycombe Abbey or Cheltenham Ladies etc re the new private school.

I would always go for a decent state school and support them as much as possible. My dc are grown up now so I have no idea about current league tables, but if your local school is getting good results I would go for it.

@barnetparent I mean this nicely, but you are tying yourself in entirely unnecessary knots here. QE Girls is the kind of school people move house for. Their progress scores are staggering. Most people in my part of London would weep ready tears of gratitude to have it on our doorstep, and of our local schools are very good ones. Save yourself all this heartache and send her to QEG, one of the best-performing comprehensives in the country.

Or actually if you prefer the Ark or the private school send her there. You will make another family's year if you release that place at QEG.

If you have an excellent state school nearby it might be wise to start there and see how she gets on before looking at private options. That said, can you pay a couple of years up front? We negotiated a good discount at DD's old school this way.

I suspect they have increase the school size and class size to those numbers to make the school survive. Hence they are not going to offer massive discounts if they don't have too.
For 13-15 year old girls less than 20
In a class can be an issue due to the tricky friendship stuff that goes on at that stage.

She didn't say she had a place to release at QE Girls? Maybe there's a reason they might not get it ?

The people I know who are looking at this school all have children with SEN or need extra academic support for various reasons. That’s not to say that it won’t be a good school but my hunch is that with the standard of Barnet state schools coupled with the selective state and private schools it’s going to struggle to be attractive to parents whose children don’t need support unless they can’t get a state place. You’ve got to remember that Habs and St Albans are up the road, and not only have you got the QE schools but the catholic and Jewish schools all of which have phenomenal results. If you have got a good state place I would start with that and if you’re not happy I imagine that there will be space to move her

@OVienna the OP has posted a number of threads and indicated on one of them that she does have a place at QE Girls...

Oh I see.

I would take QE Girls over Mount House. Its turnaround rate is impressive and the great GCSE results at QE will soon translate into A Levels or you leave for any of the great local options then.

Re discount on the fees, I've heard of 25% "scholarships" in the past as St Martha's but more like 10% now as they try to turn a profit (not unreasonable).. Maybe you'd get 25% if your child was the oldest in the family as you suggest..

That said, are you going to begrudge the money if you're already looking for a discounted rate and looking at QE as your other option? You could save your time and money and go straight to QE!!

Thanks for all your replies.
Yes, we have already been offered QEG in the 1st round.