good post atbattersea. Nobody is getting value for money with school fees during home schooling. Whether they are at school or home, as Teachers are generally teaching remotely. 

There are angry posts here and I get that as emergency schooling (which is what is happening, most parents aren’t qualified to teach) is very stressful and doesn’t achieve the results at all that being in normal schooling with their mates achieve.

( envy isn’t a nice trait though and writing like that can make you sound a bit silly and doesn’t help generally)



 

For the most part the schools seem to be making he claim that their costs are pretty much the same, so their fees are pretty much the same.

That’s not really relevant.

The relevant part is whether they are providing the service that you contracted for? Obviously they are not.

While their inability to fulfill the contract is based on a legal restriction, that does not absolve them of legal remedies. Apart from the obvious “not getting the same service” there are also collatoral losses. For example if you are earning less due to having to be at home for childcare, or are paying more for childcare.

I expect that most parents do not want to get into a legal tussle with their schools, because, ultimately, that might cause a situation where the school no longer wants to provide the child with an education. But, fortunately, you can bide your time – you have up to six years to make a civil claim.

It’s not the schools’ fault for allowing children from the ambiguous “critical worker” categories. Schools are simply following the government’s guidelines.

Have a look at the list. There’s a whole host of other sectors including oil, gas, electricity and water, IT and chemicals.

I’ve noticed a few mean-spirited observations on this thread. Maybe we can try to be less judgmental of parents all round - even those sending their kids in who might not seem to be in “need”.

Our school is offering the same discount as last time and have said in their newsletter that their savings are the same.
Has anyone else noticed that schools are 50-70% full this time round because the ‘key worker’ area has become a very grey area, it seems bankers and financial workers now fall under this banner! Eton House the manor, amongst others have accepted children of financiers back to school. This time round it’s not key workers and vulnerable children at all, it’s a huge number of people who have sent their children back so it makes sense that the rest of us should be offered a full discount as these schools will be taking in a lot more school fees than last time

I think at time like this. you should be supporting the school.

The teachers are working hard to deliver a very good service.

Talk to them direst if you are experiencing hardship.


Hornsby House is a very approachable school and open to talk to parents.

I have heard similar re Hornsby regarding no rebate as yet and governors will consider at end of term. Whilst i appreciate c.70 per cent of fees goes to staff, there must be considerable savings to made, judging by my own printer cartridge and Ocado bills when the children are at home. And schools should also be adopting a more cost conscious mindset - akin to most other businesses up and down the country right now.
There quality of provision seems to vary dramatically, my child at a mixed local private prep has no live maths or English lessons at all on Fridays and only half an hour of live maths and English a day Monday to Wednesday. That’s a lot of my and my husbands working day needed to teach our children when we continue to pay full fees.

Interestingly I have heard differently from my Hornsby sources.... more the "governors will consider the matter"

At this point I would like to see a discount for my kids (they are at private primary) who are staying home

Those who are "critical workers" or "SEN" or "my husband won't home school although he's been furloughed from his job" or "I can't cope with my kids at home even though I don't work" should pay the full fees
 

Parents I know Hornsby have been told to expect recently to expect a 'fair' discount, decided when the term is over I guess. 

Hornsby was a 20% discount last summer, but Hornsby incredibly put their fees up by 4% this term - many parents thought that was an 'out of touch' decision perhaps. Thomas's also have had a big fee rise this term.

A well done goes to Finton house who haven't put our fees up this school year and are now looking good value compared to other comparative schools - no rebate news there yet either.

Difficult times but homeschooling is awful for everyone concerned - the sooner children get back to the classroom, the better for everyone’s sake

Ours has offered a 40% discount actually. It seems from the above we are the exception...

I agree with Moonlightdawn. Same at our school - last time round we did get a rebate and there was some parent discussion, but I've not heard anything this time round and it's not an issue being raised. The staff are working incredibly hard and have had to forgo their normal holidays and are also working weekends to prepare lessons and get resources out to children. The school is offering a very comprehensive programme of online learning, plus excellent provision for key worker/vulnerable children.

The school took a big hit by dipping into it's reserves last time because of the rebate and just can't afford to do it this time, I would guess. I think everyone also recognises that the costs are still virtually the same, as the majority go on staffing, with only some staff able to be furloughed. After all, we all still want our schools to be operating when pupils are allowed back and not forced to close due to lack of funds. 

Nothing has been mentioned at our school. Amongst the various WhatsApp parent groups I’m on, no one is clamouring for a reduction in school fees.

Teachers and school management are working incredibly hard. Can you imagine the effort it takes to teach kids over a computer screen?

Yes, it’s exhausting for us parents too. But the preparation is so thorough and it’s clear that most teachers are being diligent in planning and setting up lessons.

They deserve a big pat on the back. Based on conversations with friends, many prep schools are going above and beyond to ensure that remote learning and emotional support remain at an excellent standard.

I know that this subject was discussed a lot on this site in the first lockdown but I am wondering if any fee paying schools have offered rebates this time around? I know that schools have costs to cover and are delivering online lessons but I would have thought some discount would have been offered as I'm not sure it is quite the same. So far nothing has been mentioned at my son's school.