Private Secondaries in covid times - pay before you see?

[Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket]

Hi,
dd has got into a private drama school for secondary - she's very into it but I'm really out of my depth, both with the private and the drama aspects. We can afford to send her & she's very into drama, so all well and good. However, I'm just in the process of accepting and have realized that we will be liable for a whole terms fees before any of us have ever set foot in the school. I'd expect to pay a deposit, but this is £6 Grand. Is this normal? Anyone else in the same situation?

The school is ArtsEd, if that makes any difference. Very different from what we are used to older DC in normal state school, & we are state school background.

Yes normal to pay private schools fees the term in advance. £6k a term is normal infact if its only £6k that's cheap. Our bill with travel is more like £7k plus. If you ever leave you need to give a term in advance notice.

@Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket a friend's DC started there last September, and absolutely loves it. They moved from another Independent school to Arts Ed.

It’s unfortunate that you haven’t been able to visit but yes, terms fees in advance pretty standard

Our daughter got into one of London's super-selectives last year and we requested an informal tour (3 other families were on there too).

This might be different in times of Covid though, but in general it's ok to ask if you can see the school before you make a final decision.

And yes, once you've decided you pay in advance.

Ah, that's helpful! Thank you all very much - I was wondering if I was being swindled or if the school had forgotten to update their policy in light of the current situation.
Glad to hear that your friends DC is enjoying the school @Soma I find that very reassuring.

We've been offered an informal tour of grounds of a school we haven't been able to see, we're booked for 29th March when outdoor mixing is starting to be relaxed. Am not sure if we get to go inside buildings, it's after school hours so no kids on site. Can you ask if they are offering similar? Lots break up that week so they may be able to show you about the grounds and get a bit of an idea?

I've put a not quite half a terms fees as a deposit when accepting a place, and they will expect full terms fees first day of the Autumn term. I get the deposit back only when my daughter leaves the school.