Problem with private school

Tigsteroonie

I like guessing games I thinking maybe Montessori? (I'm looking into a Montessori primary school for Andrew)

I know that if I had chosen a specific private school because of a particular teaching method advertised in the prospectus, and the school no longer followed that method and was no different to mainstream schools, then I would consider it a "fundamental change" and would not be willing to pay a penalty for withdrawing my child.

dmg24

lucylucky wrote: »

I think we have enough to go on.

School promotes a learning environment/ethos and on this basis OP signs up child to attend

Ethos has demonstrably changed so OP, and others, no longer wishes child to be part of school.

As the school has altered it could be argued, I would hope, that the OP suffers no financial penalty.

Ethos could mean anything from learning style to religion to whether they serve chips at lunchtime. It is too vague a word to give a definitive answer to.

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I like guessing games I thinking maybe Montessori? (I'm looking into a Montessori primary school for Andrew)

I know that if I had chosen a specific private school because of a particular teaching method advertised in the prospectus, and the school no longer followed that method and was no different to mainstream schools, then I would consider it a "fundamental change" and would not be willing to pay a penalty for withdrawing my child.

I agree that a different teaching style would be a fundamental change, but the OP seems to be pointing to a change in disciplinary style. I find it difficult to argue that would be a fundamental change, unless the OP specified that they were sending their child to the school because of a softly softly approach.

dmg24

lucylucky wrote: »

I think in that case you have to inform the school that you find them to be in breach of contract and that when you withdraw your child there will be no financial penalty.

It may well be worth talking to a solicitor about this first.

EDIT - could you start a PTA?

You cannot dictate that there will be no financial penalty, that would be the easiest way to end up in litigation. Any litigation is likely to end up costing more than a term's fees!

lucylucky

dmg24 wrote: »

You cannot dictate that there will be no financial penalty, that would be the easiest way to end up in litigation. Any litigation is likely to end up costing more than a term's fees!

Maybe I should have suggested the OP see a solicitor?

Oh - hang on I did.:cool:

dmg24

lucylucky wrote: »

Maybe I should have suggested the OP see a solicitor?

Oh - hang on I did.:cool:

You did, after in effect telling them to tell the school where to shove it!

living_in_hope_3

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I like guessing games I thinking maybe Montessori? (I'm looking into a Montessori primary school for Andrew)

I know that if I had chosen a specific private school because of a particular teaching method advertised in the prospectus, and the school no longer followed that method and was no different to mainstream schools, then I would consider it a "fundamental change" and would not be willing to pay a penalty for withdrawing my child.

I said no guessing!

It is still different to mainstream school because the teaching methods are different but the way in which children are managed has changed significantly. In fact I have doubts whether it's legal. Put it this way if they were adults at work it wouldn't be.

dmg24

living_in_hope wrote: »

I said no guessing!

It is still different to mainstream school because the teaching methods are different but the way in which children are managed has changed significantly. In fact I have doubts whether it's legal. Put it this way if they were adults at work it wouldn't be.

You say no guessing, then you post suggestions that they are using unlawful methods? I really don't see what you expect people to say!

lucylucky

dmg24 wrote: »

You did, after in effect telling them to tell the school where to shove it!

Apologies, I didn't realise you had reading difficulties.


"It may well be worth talking to a solicitor about this first."

The last word is the clue as to the sequence of events.

living_in_hope_3

dmg24 wrote: »

You say no guessing, then you post suggestions that you are using unlawful methods? I really don't see what you expect people to say!

I am not using unlawful methods and if that isn't what you meant I don't know what you are trying to say.

living_in_hope_3

dmg24 wrote: »

I agree that a different teaching style would be a fundamental change, but the OP seems to be pointing to a change in disciplinary style. I find it difficult to argue that would be a fundamental change, unless the OP specified that they were sending their child to the school because of a softly softly approach.

Ok the school was very softly softly and is now doing awards, star charts, shouting at the children, making them work alone, not allowing the older children to have any playtime (there is a short break at lunchtime but the children aren't allowed to talk and as soon as everyone has eaten they restart work). I could go on but it gives you an idea. This is not my parenting style at all and I would not have chosen this school if I had known they would treat the children in that way.