School deposit and first term fee commitment Post Reply

[mumandmore]

Hi everyone. I wondered if I could sense check something with you. We have just been offered a place at a local private school and was very surprised at the T&Cs relating to deposit and Fees. They have asked for a deposit equivalent to first terms fees which I firstly think is very high. Secondly in the T&Cs it says that if for any reason we don't take up the place we will. A) loose the deposit irrespective of when we given notice b) in addition if we don't give notice by April 1st next year that we will have to pay the firsts terms fees. Given my husbands job situation there is a 50/50 chance we may have to give up the place at some point between now and next sept so we will either be giving up £4k or £8k. Are these T&cs normal across schools here and if so has anyone found flexibility in certain cases? We aren't in the catchment for a state school so this is not an option. Many thanks!

[Squinkle]

Yes this is the standard agreement across the majority of independent schools. You will, of course, get your deposit back when your child finishes the school. There is another thread on this site about someone losing money having been unable to give the required notice, so be very careful! Once you've signed you are agreeing to them. If your husband is made redundant the school may use their discretion and respond compassionately, but sadly due to the economic climate and the frequency of this happening, it's unlikely. If you know you might have to give up the place, you must have a Plan B? Maybe you should consider making it your Plan A? You may not live within a catchment for your preferred state school but everyone in London lives within a catchment area so you're not completely without the state option. I'm sorry you're in a difficult situation, good luck!

[Balhammom]

I think that you may be able to insure against this sort of thing?
Might help although I am not sure what the premium would be?

It's a hard one Good luck sorting.

[GatewayHouseNursery]

As a Headmistress of a nursery school I know that all independant schools have roughly the same T&Cs regarding deposits. I'm afraid they rather have too, if they didn't a lot of parents would sign children up to mulitple schools waitng to get a better offer from another school or waiting to hear whether they get their first choice state school place, which aren't offered out until the April before they start reception.
The good news regarding state schools in SW london some are already brilliant and others are rapidly improving! You couldn't be in a better area in London.
All very sressful for you! Good luck.
http://www.gatewayhousenursery.co.uk

[balhamite]

I think this is pretty standard. It is clearly a money making scheme. Most of these schools have huge waiting lists so can easily fill the place with minimum admin time. A fairer approach would be not to make offers until April in line with the state schools. At point families would be clearer of their plans.

[supergirl]

Yes this is standard. So either agree to it or dont. Hopefully if the OP of the other thread do pursue the "unfairness..." To a court and she wins it would set a precedent?

I dont think it is a money making scheme even if they are making money. They had to put a fee high enough to stop parents from abusing the system.

I know a lot of parents (5) who paid the deposit to secure a plan B in full knowledge that they will loose it if their plan A happened. In their view it was still cheaper than paying fees all through the primary school.