School fees for next term Post Reply

[plaits]

Good to hear others' thoughts. Thanks for taking the time.

Having helped the children with their remote learning I have to agree with most that teachers do seem to be making a massive effort and it can't be easy at all. I also recognise that the school has other costs besides teachers salaries.

That said, I would hope that if Schools are going to get help with salaries and maybe other things too, that they would pass some reduction on to parents.

[mummo]

Yes, absolutely SW11er, schools regardless of state or private are doing an incredible job and an existing VLE certainly helps things continue more smoothly (although the VLE providers I believe are struggling with the surge in use!). It’s great to hear Bolingbroke are doing such a great job and we are indeed lucky to be in an area with excellent state and private options. I suspect fewer primaries have VLEs in place which makes home learning even more challenging.

[parsleysong]

One of my kids is at boarding school and I'd be very upset if we aren't offered a refund/reduction in the boarding fees, not the tuition fees though. I hope they offer this before I have to ask for it. We know that this particular school has cash in hand of over £1million (the Head mentioned this in his talk to prospective parents when we were there) so it wouldn't be right to keep fees paid for bed and board (another £15-20k on top of tuition fees) when we are now providing it all at home.

I'd be interested to know what other parents of boarders think.

[Hillbilly67]

I know of at least 8 big public schools that have announced fee reductions. There are others though that will not be making any changes. The reductions range from 40% to 5%. My children attend a school that has given a 20% reduction in the academic fees and cancelled all boarding costs obviously.
Hope this helps.

[sophiehs]

Both of my children are at day/boarding schools and both schools are reducing the fees by 20% and abolishing the boarding fee.

[nvmof3]

Both independent schools attended by my kids have reduced their fees. One by 40% and one by 33%. They have both asked that those who can afford to do so, pay the full fee so that the extra can go into a fund to support those whose income has taken a hit. Not sure they’ll have many takers for that as I can’t think of anyone that won’t take a financial hit

[betsyboop]

would you mind sharing the names of the schools who have agreed to reduce their fees for next term ? Thank you 

[Redfernpsychol]

A private tutor is NOT allowed in your house. What part of not having anyone in your family home except your own household are you failing to understand?

I am appalled at how many questions on this site allude to people’s need to keep their privileged lifestyles. For every loop hole you try to keep finding, lives are being put at risk and we all have to stay socially isolated for longer.

No cleaners. No tutors. No dog walkers. No relatives. Stay indoors. Stay safe. Give up your old life style and think of others. Please. I worked for the NHS for 25 years. Have some respect for my colleagues.

Many tutors will offer online sessions. Try that.

[RumourMill]

I've heard that Marlborough are reducing by a significant amount.

[It's-tricky]

Teachers and all other salaries must be paid in full - and I respect the schools which have offered discount unfortunately my child is at Thomas’s Clapham and they have no intention of offering a discount instead we are asked to wait until July to be refunded the ´savings’ make of that what you will

[RumourMill]

Bradfield also offering substantial discounts.

[BFW]

The difference being of course that Thomas’ Clapham is a business not a trust. And as such their main interest is making money.

Sad truth. I made the mistake of sending one of my children to an independent school that was a business and never again!

[RealityCheck]

To those who say that schools will be refunded teacher salaries: that is only the case if the teachers are furloughed and staff who is furloughed is not allowed to do any work. So if you expect the school to provide remote learning you cannot expect teachers to be furloughed.
And the reality is, as someone said upthread, most teachers are working flat out to learn to teach entirely remotely, which is not as easy as switching everything to a video call.
Times are hard, we all have to rethink how we live our lives but if you decide to play hardball with a school re fees be very mindful that your child (and many other people’s children) may well as a result not have a school to go back to when this is over.

[Monion]

In answer to Daddydaycarerocks- if schools are forced to reduce their fees then people will lose their jobs and the quality of education after all this is over will be less. In these times you can’t take the approach ‘I paid for a service and they’re not providing it’. They are providing it in the best way they can and it is costing them almost the same amount of money and more effort to do so. It’s the same principle in many other areas. I’m still paying for my exercise class despite the fact it is now online- it’s not my teacher’s fault and she is doing the best she can, and I want her to still be in business when this is over.
Reducing fees for everyone as a matter of course, just because you’re not getting the service you signed up for, also means the school is less able to help those who are genuinely unable now to pay fees. I suggest if you want your child to go back to a school that is similar to how it was before you accept the efforts the schools are making. If you genuinely need help with fees after all this then you’ll have to pray that enough parents were generously minded enough not to insist on a reduction, and that the school will be in a position to help you.

[Janet14]

But there are definitely lots of teachers who can be furloughed - essential subjects no but there are plenty of subjects that just can’t be done online and plenty of roles that can be furloughed. Every business is in the same situation and no reason why schools shouldn’t furlough where they can and pass on savings to parents plus just the saving in school meals alone is something. I find it suspicious that unlike other schools Thomas’s are holding back on their discount and fear once the fees are paid the rebate will never materialise.....