Moving out of private school

[Fatty80]

Hi, I am in a bit of a predicament. My daughter is 13 years old and has been studying in a private school from the very start. Her father (whom I’m not with) has been paying for her schooling. However, he has just informed me that he cannot pay for her school anymore due to a sudden change in his financial circumstances. He has not paid the school fees since April and now there is a bill of £8000, which needs to be paid. We are also required to give one term’s notice which I have not done so that means the bill will rack up to £16,000 in this situation. What do I do? I haven’t got a state school for her lined up because this information was only presented to me a day ago, I don’t even know what the process is or if there are any good state schools around where I live. Can anyone give me any advice or help in this matter? I am really stressed and struggling. I’m a single mother and I work as an academic so don’t have the capacity to pay the fees. I’ll be very grateful for any advice - thank you so much.

Contact the school admissions department at your local council. Ask about places and admission to secondary school.

Do you know anything about the state schools in your area? Is there one you'd prefer?

Also speak to the existing school. There may be a payment plan that can be worked out to resolve the debt.

Your local admission department will be able to help but it may take some time to resolve in September.

If her father paid then surely he is there who is on contract obliged to pay outstanding fees. Ask the private school to help by contacting the father who paid until now ( transfers were from him) and inform him that he is obliged to pay £16k as they were informed that the child will not continue education in their school. They can also offer him solutions of payment arrangements.

And yes, as the previous poster said definitely contact council and put yourself on waiting lists for the local state schools.

Look on the LA website under InYear applications, and follow the process. Give notice before September term starts that your dd will leave by Christmas. Hopefully a place will come up by then at a state school but she may need to change at short notice mid term.

Also ask the current school about a bursary for the term starting in September.

Research schools that are commutable and get on the waiting lists.

Start by contacting the school, they may have funds to keep your DD in school.

What year is she in? Sometimes, it is rare but can happen, there is help from the LA because of the stage of education.

Once you find out what your options are you can start looking at the state sector.

I’m in East Croydon so not sure about the schools but I doubt there are very good ones in my area. I don’t have a preference except I’d want her to go to at least a good/outstanding school. She will be moving to year 9 in September.

Thank you everyone for your helpful suggestions. I will definitely start searching for a school and will also speak to the current school about setting up a payment plan with the father.

There are Harris academies around , and some selective and faith schools. Tbh you may want to find out where has spaces before you narrow it down. Would Woodcote in Purley be close enough?

Unfortunately, your options for a place immediately in September are going to be limited by the actual availability of a place in the relevant year group, with a bit more hope that something more desirable (if you feel that none of the places immediately available are 'good enough') will come up by Christmas, if your DD is ranked at or near the top of the waiting list and there is sufficient movement. However, rather than dismiss a school out of hand, do try to visit as soon as the new term starts, if possible.

You can submit an appeal against the decision of any school not to admit, having received a formal application, and submit appeals to as many schools as you want to simultaneously; given that time is rather of the essence, you should do this if necessary

If neither of you have given notice to the school, then someone will have to pay until December, which means she can attend until December, although that may incur more costs e.g. lunches. It might be worth sending her back in Sept whilst you apply for a state place.

It's your ex's debt not yours surely?

There are good state schools around Croydon such as Riddlesdown Collegiate.

People are quick to judge places like Croydon and assume the state schools are all terrible no goes. That is simply not the case. Approach the council, get your daughter on some lists and please try not to panic. Even some of the selective faith schools may have in year places available.

A few questions -
Are you jointly liable for the fees?
Haven't the current school chased for the outstanding fees?
Ask if there are any bursaries available to get her to GCSE.
Then consider your state options, East Croydon is well placed for transport and she will have a Zip Oyster so will benefit from free travel on the tram and bus and discounted travel on the train and tube, so that places a lot of schools in reach.
There are also state boarding at schools such as Cranbrook and Holyport College.

You will find if state schools of your choice do not have a place now, they almost certainly will a week or two into September, there are always some who do not turn up or are pulled out by parent.
With regards to payment, if the father is on the school contract for fees it’s his problem. If you both agreed to fees then you need to sort out a payment plan with him.

I would absolutely not approach the school about a payment plan for the debt if the contract is with the father. Do nothing in that case that suggests it’s anything to do with you - like talking about plans.
Similarly, you given notice suggests you believe it to be your contract. If it isn’t, don’t word it that you are giving notice - but tell your ex to give notice, and tell the school only that he’s told you he’s not paying.

Then separately ask about bursaries. But it would have to a school with deep pockets and your child would have to be very academic or otherwise talented I expect.

On the bright side, this is the least worst time from now for the few years. Start of a school year, pre-GCSE choices.

Start researching schools, you’ll sort it. Good luck!

Research local schools and put in application now.
Don't dismiss local schools you may be surprised , also Ofsted is not everything.
Start of year 9 is a good point to move so hopefully she can go In and make friends before the GCSE workload starts.

Contact private school for advice and to give notice now. At least then you have an end to this debt and stress.

Ex is the one who needs to pay but the school may be able to help whilst you wait out your notice period.

Agree with PPs you need to check who signed the contract with the school. If it was your ex then he needs to give notice and it is his debt not yours.

If the fees have to be paid until Christmas then you could keep her there until then to give you more time to find a school place. Your local authority school admissions dept will tell you which schools have spaces

It doesn't work like that. It all depends where she lives. If she lives just by great state she is the first one to by notified when there is a space available.
If she lives by a underperforming state- she will be first to know if there is a place.

In reality people rent/ buy houses on the street in front of Outstanding with great result and wait for a place.

So unless she does the same or is lucky to live by great school she has a problem

I was offering words of encouragement as someone who knows Croydon very well. I know how judgy people get. The schools are generally not bad, so wish you lots of luck and wish for you a positive outcome.

@JoannaDW everywhere are better and worse schools; school results and Ofsted report are publically available on the gov page. All black on white. All assessed ( judged)

As it is an In Year application the op may have more flexibility on distance if there happens to be a vacancy at a less local school and no waiting list with others living closer.

Do watch if schools are on a 3 year or 2 year GCSE pathway. Quite a lot of kids from that area attend my DD's school but options are already picked in Y8 and courses started in Y9.

There are lots of good state options in that area.

NB: Places like Cranbrook (state boarding) are a) £15k a year for the boarding. b) only have 20 boarding places for girls in each year group and Y9 is not a year group that will have spaces.

Who signed the paperwork for her school place? If both parents did then you're jointly liable, the school will expect you to pay. They may offer a payment plan if you explain you cant pay immediately. Meanwhile, contact the LA for a state school place.

if you ask the existing school you might be eligible for a bursary.. worth asking