Private schools

[Tweenies041009]

Dear all is it unreasonable to ask for a refund on a deposit for a private secondary school that my child got offered quite late, I have accepted the place but now have had heart issues that require me not to work for the foreseen I cannot afford the fees now and they want to hold me to paying for a whole term even though she has not attended a day

It's not unreasonable for you to ask. They might say no because the deposit is to cover the costs of a terms place which they could have filled otherwise

Not unreasonable to ask and under the circumstances, they might be generous - but you have signed a contract and depending on the wording, you are likely to be contractually obliged to pay a terms fees.

It will depend on how easy it is for them to fill the place your DC is not taking up. If they have a waiting list this might be straightforward. But bear in mind that most families looking for a place in September will already have signed contracts with other schools and they may be left with an empty place for the whole year.

Sorry to hear about your illness. I hope things work out for you

Aww thank you yes they have a big waiting list at list twenty girls and my daughter was offered a place only 8 weeks ago

If you have signed up to the terms and conditions which specify a full term's notice or fees in lieu then you can only appeal on compassionate grounds for discretion. Legally they can charge you, waiting list or not. Have you paid anything in advance?

If you're pretty sure they've still for a waiting list and you're sure you can't now take up the place, I'd play it a bit differently.

You won't be in any worse a position contractually if you give notice tomorrow or the day before term starts but the school can fill the place much more easily now than then. Although it might take one term's fees from you, it would rather have a full year's fees from someone else.

I'd speak to them and say your circumstances have changed and you're 99% sure that unfortunately you won't be able to take up the place. Then say that if they'd want to offer the place to someone else sooner rather than later, you're happy to release it now rather than leave it til the end of the summer holidays if they can confirm that you won't have to pay the term's fees and they can come to an agreement with you about the deposit. Worth a try?

If that's risky, tell them now and explain the circs and hope they'll look kindly on them.

Hi yes we have paid £1000 deposit all done on phone rushed to do it was told pay deposit in two days after offer

Contractually they will be able to legally hold you to account for whatever you agreed when you signed up.

They may be lenient, but don't have to be.
COVID has made for really difficult financial times for public schools so they may not be able to justify a refund.

@Tweenies041009

Hi yes we have paid £1000 deposit all done on phone rushed to do it was told pay deposit in two days after offer

I doubt they’ll say you don’t have to pay

I suppose you can try

A friend of mine was in similar situation. One of their family members had a serious health problem and they had to move abroad for the treatment immediately. The schools of their children were very sympathetic and they didn’t need to pay for full term fees. However, your child is not in the school yet, but it’s worth to ask to them.

Absolutely ask. We changed our mind after a month and when we notified the school we just said that we assumed the deposit back if they could fill the place. No issues at all.