Savings on private school fees - any success?

DEEPMJ

Morning,

My son goes to private school but since the recession my salary has halved (I work in finance in the city worst luck). I am currently paying out a lot of maintenance to my ex-wife and the school fees are just adding to the financial strain.:eek:

I don't want to interrupt my sons education. He is severley dyslexic and the school have brought him along in leaps and bounds. However, I am struggling to pay (and I have to through a court order last year when I divorced).:mad:

Just wondered if anyone has had any success getting private school fees reduced, by how much were they reduced and how they went about it? I have thought about writing but unsure of the best way to word it in order to get a positive outcome. To simply say, I'm skint, how about some money off each term seems rather crass!:rotfl:

Any experience or good ol' advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

Supermom

It might be worth contacting the school and arranging to go in and have a chat. Most private schools have a fund in place to help parents who are in financial difficulties short term so as not to disrupt a childs education.
Good luck

SugarSpun

Mosr private schools will have some kind of contingency plan in place because they don't want to lose the kids simply because of short term payment difficulties. As Supermom said, make an appointment to talk to them.

Mrs_P_Pincher

Absolutely - as others have suggested, go and talk to them. When XOH suddenly announced that he was not prepared to pay any more school fees ( child had come to live with me by her choice and he had lost his Child Benefit) I went straight up to the school and spoke to the Head. He would have been quite happy to accept payments by whatever instalments I could manage.

I asked him to send the account to XOH as normal and let me know if it wasn't paid. Luckily it was and we heard no more about it, but important thing is the school were prepared to adapt and compromise rather than lose a good pupil.

Good luck

Mrs P P

Dinah93

My brother is at private school and when my parents were struggling they were willing to do the payments over 12 months rather than in 3 big lumps. However they were not willing to negotiate on the level of payment at all.

Savvy_Sue

There may be scholarships your child could apply for.

smartpicture

Is there any chance of re-negotiating with your ex? Assuming you can show that you are earning less money, it is in her interests to make sure your joint child remains at the school, even if that means sacrifices all round. It depends on whether you're on talking terms I suppose, but even if not you could state your case by email. Possibly get someone else to review it first to ensure that it comes across as reasonable and with the sole aim of doing what's best for your child.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I'd go for all of these options - I see no reason why you shouldn't go back to court and explain your income has halved (with proof) and the previous order needs to be set aside. If you genuinely cannot afford both (and it isn't just a case of not being able to buy a brand new car this week/can only have 3 holidays a year), perhaps the new ruling could state that either you pay maintenance (and XOH is responsible for fees) or you pay fees and nowt else.

And, talk to the school in the meantime, there will be staff there (or there is at the private schools round here) which also shows willing.

blackcoffee

How civil is the relationship with your ex wife ? can you speak with her about reducing mainteneance for a short time.

Id also go to the school, they may have options, Ive not heard about them reducing fee's however.

I know a school our friends son goes to, has lost 20 pupils since september due to current climate.

best of luck.

DEEPMJ

Thank you for the many posts.

Unfortunatley, despite me sending the ex my p60 as proof my earnings have halved she still believes money grows on trees and won't help out with paying towords school fees despite the fact her and her new husband both work full time and could afford it.

Sadly she believes expensive solicitors will get her what she wants despite my requests to go through CSA or use Child Maintenance Options website she is hell bent on taking me back through the courts.

Your feedback has given confidence in approaching the school. Monthly payments would be easier to manage than the 3 big lump sums which wipe me out completely.

Great website, great members. Thanks for your input.:A

Regards,
Matt

Dancing_Shoes

Despite her threatening that she will get what she wants if you go back to court for a variation of the previous order they will only make you pay what they see you can afford. You have obviously got your son's best interests at heart so don't feel guilty you can only afford what you can afford. Go and see a solicitor for a free initial consultation and i'm sure they will say the same.;)

Good luck