Independent school fees and Coronavirus

[Creamegg11]

Our prep school closed on Tuesday due to the Coronavirus situation and the school has given the children some work and also some online learning via an App to do at home.

A parent on WhatsApp mentioned whether parents will get some refund on school fees especially as we don’t know when the children will return. I suppose no one predicted this was going to happen and it’s not the school’s fault but it had me thinking.

Very good point @branwensstarling.

I posted a few days ago (a week?) to say that we had received a letter to say that fees would be charged as usual. Got an email today to say that after feedback, invoices are being delayed. I don’t know what that means really. Anyone else received similar?

We had an initial email as well to say only core fees but had another one recently to say the fees are being reviewed again and we'll have another update soon.

I think 10% would be appreciated even as a nominal amount. To assume no one who sends their children to private school has not been affected by this is a head in the sand approach by any private school.

I can see though that both sets of our schools' teachers are trying really hard to get lessons sorted online. No it's not perfect and there's no real sport, drama, music or clubs - all the extras that you pay for at private school but I love both my children's schools and they've been very happy there and I dread to think of either of them folding and not being there when one day we get out of all of this. If we can afford it we'll do a year of this. I don't want to - but what is the alternative? We must support the school if we think its the right place for our children.

It's kind of just hitting me today that life is changing for the worse for all of us for years to come. I cried when the schools said they were going to close, for my children. I cried a number of times. I know it could be worse and we could be in hospital or have had A-levels cancelled which must surely be worse but it's just the sense of loss of control and life as we know it, ending.

I feel a sense of dread as to what is to come. The uncertainty is unnerving and draining.

I didn't say I was expecting kids to be back at school after Easter - I am sadly fully expecting my DC not to be back until September hence why I said that the impact of this will affect one full term (and a couple of weeks of this term).

Volpemum, it was in answer to okiedokie.

@AtomicRabbit, I hear you. Dd2 has only been at her school for 4 weeks. She previously spent 9 months out of school with pretty severe MH problems after being let down by the state system. I’m gutted (she is gutted). I would pay whatever I can to support her MH and continued participation in education. BUT private education had never been the plan. It’s financially a massive stretch and she isn’t even there 😭😭. I will pay and I understand the schools predicament. But GODDAMN!

A reduction would be hugely appreciated.

@SubjectMatterExpert I'm so sorry, that is heart-breaking for you both. I hope your DD's first 4 weeks proved to be a good first month though? Private school changed everything for us. Hang in there, I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end. Lots of bright minds coming up with ideas to get us back quicker. this one in the FT I really like. www.ft.com/content/02a2bece-72b5-11ea-90ce-5fb6c07a27f2

@Alsoplayspiccolo which GDST school are you at? We are considering Sutton for our daughter and interested in what they are doing in all this. Currently at a small prep who aren’t doing much!

I think schools are being too quick to make future fee announcements. Nobody knows are future next week let alone next term.

Also schools have many things to consider apart from the latest news.

My son's school have brought the subject up but are waiting to see and also sensibly planning

Please see discounts offered list. Can't verify the source but the data looks right.

ElephantLover - is that for those claiming hardship, or across the board?

Also, any chance of a slightly clearer version as you can't really see the detail?

@ElephantLover - I can't read that 0 is it possible to provide a link?

@ElephantLover sorry I can't read the pic do you have a link?

I have heard Emanuel are offering 15% off the autumn term fees
Alleyn's freezing fees for next year - which if you assume 5% increase equates to approx. 15% off the summer term fees

Thanks for posting this elephantlover.

Well our DS school sent an email today justifying the history of the school ... blah blah blah and offered a 20% discount.

My major challenge is that there is no online teaching - they are offering little videos on an app with no work to be sent to them or marked - absolutely crazy.

My view is that if they cared about the children’s education, they would have put an e-school system in place when they saw this pandemic escalating to roll out as soon as the school was closed, but no, they chose to drag their feet, not offer a refund on the 2 weeks of the Spring Term and still charge fees for next term (when the children will not be going to school until at least September).

I’m just fed up with the entire thing because I now have no income until schools reopen, (as our business provides services to schools, so no work now), have staff I can’t pay and may have to let go, have had my shares absolutely hit rock bottom, can’t get any income from our rental properties as our tenants have all lost their jobs and have mortgages, general bills and now bleeding school fees to pay.

I’m sitting here at 12:20am worrying about it all - I’m just going to have a drink, because I’m fed up on how out of touch these school heads are.

branwensstarling yup, this is us. DH's income is up in the air. Thankful we didn't decline the state school offer now. DH works for himself and his line of business is based on the public spending money.

@Pebbles574 - I have DC at two of the schools at that list and can confirm the reductions are across the board, not just for families experiencing hardship.

At the 'wealthier' school I anticipate many parents will not claim the discount and donate it into the bursary fund. Not sure the same will happen at the other school to the same extent though.

Our school has offered to pass on any savings when they know how much they are. I'm assuming this means for furloughed support staff, closed premises etc.

They can't furlough teaching staff or no work would be set or marked (as teachers would not be employed by the school during this period). My husband teaches in the state sector and he is setting and marking far less work than our own children are receiving from their independent school. I appreciate that it is not as good as actually being at school but comparatively it seems to be very good.

I'm going to pay up for next term and hope for a small refund at some point.

Not sure how to improve the quality of the picture?! It looks ok on my phone but blurs when I upload here...

I'll try posting again

Those people that say they’re sure schools will help out anyone who is facing hardship and unable to pay fees - what form do you think that help will take? Actual fiscal help, eg further reduction of fees?
Has anyone been offered help?

Just been told 10% discount for summer term and next years fees frozen at this years rate.

Bus service and lunches don't have to be paid for even though the school has to pay a retainer.

Doubt DD's school will have a discount, they were savvy and sent the invoice out a full month earlier than normal, and two weeks before the girls were let out of school.

nylon14, was that a GDST school, by any chance? There was something in the Sunday Times about parents not being impressed that invoices went out early.

Oh boohoo. Private schools should be illegal. You disadvantage every child with your selfishness.