Private school charge

pinkshoes

nounfairfine wrote: »

Yes, it is not their fault. I decided to pull out, when I got the place in the public school. But in case that I didn't get that place, I secured a place for my son at this private school, so he will be attending a school in September anyway.
I didn't know that I have to pay for the first term if I don't give notice in advance. That is my mistake. And the reason why I am taking my son to this public school is because the private one is too expensive, but at least it was a safe option in the meantime if I couldn't get a place in a decent public one.
It was my mistake, and by the look of it, I am going to pay for it
Thanks everyone for the advice

I would negotiate with the school and see if they can fill the place for September, if not, you'll have to pay.

Problem is, we're still in a recession, and some private schools have been struggling to fill places, so it depends how in demand the private school is!

Dunroamin

By the way public schools are actually private - I think you mean a state school.

unholyangel

nounfairfine wrote: »

Apparently is in the School Terms and conditions

Did you have a chance to read and understand these terms before becoming legally bound by them?

You said something about you would have had to have given notice by april......do they ask for 6 months notice? IMO thats excessive.

As others have said, they do have a duty to mitigate their losses. They are not entitled to any costs they could save reasonable - for example by finding another "customer".

MamaMoo_2

unholyangel wrote: »

Did you have a chance to read and understand these terms before becoming legally bound by them?

You said something about you would have had to have given notice by april......do they ask for 6 months notice? IMO thats excessive.

As others have said, they do have a duty to mitigate their losses. They are not entitled to any costs they could save reasonable - for example by finding another "customer".

April is the month when school places are offered, so it makes sense for them to wish to know then in order to arrange things for the following year.
My eldest has already been to events to meet teachers and tour the school since accepting his place, and I've had a load of paperwork to do too, so April doesn't seem too excessive.

However, at the same time, if they have a waiting list and can fill OP's child's space off of that, they have very little justification to charge a term's fees.

unholyangel

MamaMoo wrote: »

April is the month when school places are offered, so it makes sense for them to wish to know then in order to arrange things for the following year.
My eldest has already been to events to meet teachers and tour the school since accepting his place, and I've had a load of paperwork to do too, so April doesn't seem too excessive.

However, at the same time, if they have a waiting list and can fill OP's child's space off of that, they have very little justification to charge a term's fees.

Yes, in april to let them know if they want a place, but not if they need to cancel.

Or perhaps i'm just too used to schools with long waiting lists!