Being charged private school fees for not attending

Summertime33

Hi, My son has been attending a private nursery (within an independent school) for the last year and a half, two days a week. He is due to start school in September and we decided to keep him on in the independent school.

We have just founf out that my husband is most probably going to lose his job and we therefore would not be able to afford the fees. We told the school and they said because we did not give them a terms notice we have to pay a terms fees (£1,700). When my son started nursey we filled in some forms which they are now saying stated that we had to give the terms notice for him to leave, we were never given a copy of this at that time.

We think this is totally unreasonable as we paid a £50 registartion fee when he started and also a £250 deposit. I can fully understand that we should lose the £300 we originally paid but to be charged £1700 which also includes lunches for the term, my son is not going to be there, it has not cost them anything to have his name on this list and he has not prevented other children going as there is still places available.

Does anyone know our rights here? Any help would be much apprediated, thank you so much.

Butlers1982

we filled in some forms

do you have a copy of the forms you signed? if not ask them for a photocopy of the one you signed

Freddie_Snowbits

Sorry, I am off the belief that if you can afford a private education, why should a state school take your child because you are now in a different situation. You cannot opt out, then opt in

cyberbob

In most private education you pay by terms, If the school loses a child how are they going to fill it mid term? There may be places available now but how do you know they will fill your childs place in time. The nursery could be £1700 out of pocket if they didnt fill it

It sounds like a case of you not checking the terms and conditions properly. Get your copies of paperwork and check what they say. If you do not have a copy of the cancellation conditions ask for a copy so you can see if there is a get out

lizzielondon

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

Sorry, I am off the belief that if you can afford a private education, why should a state school take your child because you are now in a different situation. You cannot opt out, then opt in

yes you can- of course you can what a silly thing to say.

Everyone's circumstances change and even if they hadn't, even if the op had a million squillion pounds the op and her husband have paid tax and ni and are fully entitled to use the state education system if they want to

your theory is flawed 'why should a state school take your child' ??

ummm because they've paid for it

Judas

A terms notice is pretty standard.

You will pay either way and could continue to use the facilities til then.

Freddie_Snowbits

lizzielondon wrote: »

yes you can- of course you can what a silly thing to say.

And so what?

OP wants out of the state system when it suits them, then when, as Dennis once said, the pips squeak, they want back in.

I say let the pips squeak.

lucylucky

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

And so what?

OP wants out of the state system when it suits them, then when, as Dennis once said, the pips squeak, they want back in.

I say let the pips squeak.

Oh dear - more trolling.

Anyway to the OP - a terms notice is very common and I suspect you will have agreed to this in the forms you signed.

lizzielondon

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

And so what?

OP wants out of the state system when it suits them, then when, as Dennis once said, the pips squeak, they want back in.

I say let the pips squeak.

and when they are out of the state system they are paying for it whilst also paying for other people's state education.

they can do what they want- is the issue that you do not have the option? sounds a bit green eyed monster to me..

lucylucky

lizzielondon wrote: »

and when they are out of the state system they are paying for it whilst also paying for other people's state education.

they can do what they want- is the issue that you do not have the option? sounds a bit green eyed monster to me..

No - FS is just a wind up merchant of no concern

Proc

Yeh great stuff, Freddie. Let the child suffer because you've got a great big chip on your shoulder about people who can afford private schooling.

These people pay taxes subsidising state schools, whilst not even taking the benefits from them. Why should they not be allowed to use them? Would you deny NHS to somebody who used to have private medical care? What happens to the child? "Sorry mate, even though your dad has paid (probably a lot more) tax towards state schools, he opted out and we're so immature we're going to say you can't go back in".

Sounds like you're jealous because you can't afford to give your kids this kind of education.

edit: I went off-topic sorry. OP, you should read what you sign. Ultimately, the school probably has put off other students for your position.