11+ deposit and in case if withdrawal Q

[newtothis15]

Just trying to undesrtand, if withdrawal before september, do schools charge full terms fee? What if they find another pupil straightcaway who can take a olave rrom Sept...? Would we still need to pay a terms fee? Thank you

Depends on the school - usually but I think but read the small print!

I don't know any private school that does not charge a terms fees. Even if they have someone immediately take the place (you have to remember that person will also be on a terms notice often!)

Usually only liable for a terms fees if you don't give a terms notice. So you pay deposit now but if you give notice either first or last day if the Easter hols (you need to check the contract for which one it is) you are not liable for the autumn term. Filling the place does not have anything to do with it I'm afraid. They do often pursue parents through the courts.

@newtothis, yes if you pay the deposit you should commit to the fees, for the schools you have mentioned on other threads yes you will have to pay for first term unless you give notice in Easter holidays starting in a few weeks time.

I suppose it depends where you are but some schools do state that you can’t hold places for other schools.

Does that mean if you put down a deposit to accept a place at School A and then a waiting list place comes free later for School B (say after Easter).

Then you still may also have to pay a full terms fees and lose your deposit for School A, if you chose to now accept School B?

You need to check the t&cs - some will give you the deposit back if you withdraw by a specified date

Yes if you choose school B after Easter you will incur a terms fees in school A. If you get a wait list place before Easter you will just lose your deposit - some schools let you claim deposit back if you change your mind within day 14 days. Check T&Cs. A terms fees is a lot of money but very small amount in whole scheme of things. Please remember that many waiting lists don't really move, most schools over offer.

Usually you commit to a full term's notice, or payment of fees in lieu, on payment of deposit. You may be able to argue not to pay if you withdraw before the start of summer term but do check t and c as sometimes notice needs to be given in writing at end of previous term. Each school varies. You may also find that any scholarship/bursary is not taken into account so it could be chargeable at full fees, although they may not chase you for the difference in practice.

Depends on the contract. Usually you are up for the deposit when you accept the place and the first term's fees if you don't withdraw before the start of the summer term, which may be defined as the last day of the Easter holidays or the first day of the summer term. Read it carefully as they will enforce it via the courts if needed.

neighbour got place from school A waiting list in June.

She lost her deposit, one term's fees and the deposit for the school ski trip that she had paid.

They did fill the place but didn't refund anything.

Yes, we lost a full term's fees for dd. We withdrew in the May half term.

The thing is if a school actually then fills the place, why is this even legal? Their "loss" isn't anywhere as much as a full terms' fees IF they do fill the place. The more sophisticated schools now have it in their terms and conditions that they will refund if they fill the place minus admin costs (but you forfeit the deposit). Perhaps these are the schools with the kind of parents who will challenge them with a solicitor in court (if they were to pursue the matter).