Evening class - right to cancel and receive back £2,000 fee.

MsMa

Hello,

I'm posting here for the first time as I really want to help a friend who is in a difficult situation. She signed up for an evening drama course for one year with a private college in London and paid the course fee of approx £2,000 upfront. Having now attended two classes over the first week (that was last week), she feels that she is not getting value for her money as the teaching doesn't seem to be up to the standard of the courses she has previously attended but also (a rather more personal reason) she doesn't feel like she fits in with the rest of the group.

She contacted the college after these two classes to ask if she can cancel and receive at least a partial refund but the college declined saying that the agreement she signed states that refunds for any amounts are not possible once the course has commenced. In all fairness, she was made aware of this when she signed up but I for one feel that the contract might have unfair terms as I have never heard of college wanting to retain the whole year's fees if you only attend the first two classes, most would offer a partial refund minus classes already attended and maybe an admin fee.

Does anyone think or know whether we have a case here to argue against the college's terms or should my friend just cut her losses and move on? I know that £2,000 is a LOT of money to her (well anyone really!) and I really think that the way the college is acting here doesn't seem in keeping with the policies of most educational establishments but on the other hand they probably have their own overheads to account for.

Many thanks for any advice or pointers you can offer!

MsMa

harrys_dad

it may be that the class would not have run unless they had a minimum number of people, including your friend. "Not getting on with the other students" is not a good reason to cancel, especially without raising it with the tutor. A more serious reason could be if the course is not as advertised in the prospectus, too easy or something. it is very early thought to make that sort of decision.

hollydays

It's a private college, not a council run course. This is a legal and binding contract in law she's signed. She really needs to discuss the personality issues with the class teacher or a senior teacher, in case there are eg bullying, discrimination issues, but what about sticking at this and seeing it through? The fact she doesn't like the teacher or the other students seems a bit coincidental.

earthstorm

MsMa wrote: »

Having now attended two classes over the first week (that was last week), she feels that she is not getting value for her money as the teaching doesn't seem to be up to the standard of the courses she has previously attended but also (a rather more personal reason) she doesn't feel like she fits in with the rest of the group.

2 classes, she has not given enough time to see how the course goes, each teacher had different methods. some courses are slow for the first few weeks and just because she thinks she does not fit in are no reason to get a refund.
How many school kids think they dont fit in at school, but after a few weeks then have made many friends