Private schools, times a changing?
Discussion
robsdesk said:
Our local independent (where our two daughters attend) has just announced it won't be reopening after the summer holidays. Incredibly sad for the pupils and staff, school siting economic and political environment which has caused September's intake to be well down & loosing existing pupils.
Teaching and results are both excellent, we're gutted and trying to figure out what next.
That awful.Teaching and results are both excellent, we're gutted and trying to figure out what next.
Any chance of creating a rescue package to keep existing teachers with pupils?
TUS373 said:
robsdesk said:
Our local independent (where our two daughters attend) has just announced it won't be reopening after the summer holidays. Incredibly sad for the pupils and staff, school siting economic and political environment which has caused September's intake to be well down & loosing existing pupils.
Teaching and results are both excellent, we're gutted and trying to figure out what next.
That awful.Teaching and results are both excellent, we're gutted and trying to figure out what next.
Any chance of creating a rescue package to keep existing teachers with pupils?
At my youngest daughter’s private school (one of the best co-eds nationally) the number of pupils leaving at the end of GCSEs is 37. In a normal year it’s less than half that. 100% of them will be going in to 6th form so they’re obviously going (in the main) to one of the good state 6th form colleges we have in the area.
Coincidence? I think not.
Coincidence? I think not.
okgo said:
Ah. I’m from near Alton - I assume this is the old convent you’re talking about? That’s a surprise indeed, shame.
Barfield always used to be nice but it’s a fair way away, I went to a lot of summer camps there. Lord Wandsworth the closest I expect, wonderful facilities there but it isn’t cheap, Frensham Heights, Edgeborough not too far away.
Yes, that's the one. We're the Holybourne end so Barfield isn't too bad (but not a 10 minute walk across the park either, I do believe they have a minibus service for the morning which would help). LWC is seniors only & as you say has a price tag (that we certainly can't afford), Frensham and Edgeborough are also on the table.Barfield always used to be nice but it’s a fair way away, I went to a lot of summer camps there. Lord Wandsworth the closest I expect, wonderful facilities there but it isn’t cheap, Frensham Heights, Edgeborough not too far away.
robsdesk said:
Our local independent (where our two daughters attend) has just announced it won't be reopening after the summer holidays. Incredibly sad for the pupils and staff, school siting economic and political environment which has caused September's intake to be well down & loosing existing pupils.
Teaching and results are both excellent, we're gutted and trying to figure out what next.
We had this last year. Exceptionally sad for all involved, children being displaced and broken up from friends, some at key points in their education, the job losses, and the lost of something wonderful.Teaching and results are both excellent, we're gutted and trying to figure out what next.
We only found out ours was closing due to a whistle blower. Why schools don't advise of issues is beyond me. As a parent/old boy group we raised just shy of a million in a matter of months, and a commercial and educational plan but the damage was done and we couldn't save the school. A very sad process.
robsdesk said:
Alton, we're looking at Barfields today, had some recommendations there & the fees are in line with Alton, what is a shame is it is primary only, having the secondary element at Alton was a real positive for us (as was being able to walk there in 10 minutes).
They've been trying to sell the school in an effort to save it, redundancy timelines for staff have forced their hands to now pull the plug.
This is the Alton School? As in altonschool.co.uk? That's a shame and surprising as I thought it was a big institution. I'm doing the rounds with the open days at the moment, i suppose I'd better cancel that one.They've been trying to sell the school in an effort to save it, redundancy timelines for staff have forced their hands to now pull the plug.
I loved Frensham Heights but looking online it seems the academics are worse than rubbish?
Having put two kids through private school relatively recently I'd be surprised if the impact was massive but it will obviously tip a few over the edge.
Would this work for those who are currently putting their kids through school using their own income?
School increases fees by 20% (plus the vat)
Introduces a much wider means testing system so that those that can afford pay the increase and those that would otherwise not be able to pay the equivalent of the current fees.
Net effect is zero to the school, save increased admin.
Would this work for those who are currently putting their kids through school using their own income?
School increases fees by 20% (plus the vat)
Introduces a much wider means testing system so that those that can afford pay the increase and those that would otherwise not be able to pay the equivalent of the current fees.
Net effect is zero to the school, save increased admin.
CLK-GTR said:
This is the Alton School? As in altonschool.co.uk? That's a shame and surprising as I thought it was a big institution. I'm doing the rounds with the open days at the moment, i suppose I'd better cancel that one.
I loved Frensham Heights but looking online it seems the academics are worse than rubbish?
Yes. There’s only one private there. Surprised it was actually there at all, there’s not much wealth in the town really, it’s all from surrounding villages (such as Hollybourne - Titchmarsh could be your neighbour), but having lived in and around those villages and my brother and parents still do, there’s an awful lot of older people in the larger properties. And all the young are concentrated u to relatively cheap pockets of Four Marks and Alton itself and don’t have the kind of money to pay for school. I loved Frensham Heights but looking online it seems the academics are worse than rubbish?
Interesting your second point, Lord Wandsworth is a lovely school but also fairly pants academically from memory.
okgo said:
Yes. There’s only one private there. Surprised it was actually there at all, there’s not much wealth in the town really, it’s all from surrounding villages (such as Hollybourne - Titchmarsh could be your neighbour), but having lived in and around those villages and my brother and parents still do, there’s an awful lot of older people in the larger properties. And all the young are concentrated u to relatively cheap pockets of Four Marks and Alton itself and don’t have the kind of money to pay for school.
Interesting your second point, Lord Wandsworth is a lovely school but also fairly pants academically from memory.
I suppose that's true. My in laws have lived in the area most of their lives and sent 3 kids through private school and they didn't even know Alton had a school.Interesting your second point, Lord Wandsworth is a lovely school but also fairly pants academically from memory.
I was chatting to one of the governors at another open day and they think schools can get around the VAT issue by increasing class sizes and they don't think it will be the full 20%.
CLK-GTR said:
I loved Frensham Heights but looking online it seems the academics are worse than rubbish?
I have a couple of chums that went there and I had a deposit down for my son to go - but we ultimately chose somewhere else.I can't say I was too worried about league tables, more about the end product as a human-bean.
CLK-GTR said:
I suppose that's true. My in laws have lived in the area most of their lives and sent 3 kids through private school and they didn't even know Alton had a school.
I was chatting to one of the governors at another open day and they think schools can get around the VAT issue by increasing class sizes and they don't think it will be the full 20%.
During my youth it was a convent only, maybe took young boys but mostly girls. My neighbours daughter went, outcome of convent was as you’d expect I was chatting to one of the governors at another open day and they think schools can get around the VAT issue by increasing class sizes and they don't think it will be the full 20%.
Son went to Lord Wandsworth in same year as Jonny Wilkinson Lot of my mates went to the state schools in Farnham, they and I thought Eggars were actually meant to be very decent. South Farnham school is one of the best schools in the U.K. I believe. I’d have no issues sending my kids to that one. But we ruled out Farnham as a destination ultimately as schools weren’t as good as those in Guildford area (may consider if we leave town) but spoilt for choice with amazing day schools in London.
p1stonhead said:
Pure stupidity, but somewhat expected for a sound bite party‘Straight away’ means either:
They think the numbers won’t change it this is actually meant to fund their spending (assuming they have costed it…)
Or… it’s purely a policy driven by envy.
Given the timing I would have thought saying they would start consulting on it etc straight away to be more measured.
They think the numbers won’t change it this is actually meant to fund their spending (assuming they have costed it…)
Or… it’s purely a policy driven by envy.
Given the timing I would have thought saying they would start consulting on it etc straight away to be more measured.
robsdesk said:
Unlikely at this point I suspect, they can't aggressively hike fees as there are other independents around which are at a similar price, if there was a deal to be done I think it would have happened, they were still talking to potential buyers last week.
What do you think the reasons are that the other independent schools will be OK but this one will not?Edited by C4ME on Friday 24th May 15:21
Tom8 said:
CellarDoor said:
Are Labour trying to ensure that only the wealthiest can afford private education?
Keep the plebs out. It's not going to make any meaningful difference to the private education sector. It may impact a few edge cases, but with a bit of thought the schools should be able to sort it out.
Tom8 said:
We had this last year. Exceptionally sad for all involved, children being displaced and broken up from friends, some at key points in their education, the job losses, and the lost of something wonderful.
We only found out ours was closing due to a whistle blower. Why schools don't advise of issues is beyond me. As a parent/old boy group we raised just shy of a million in a matter of months, and a commercial and educational plan but the damage was done and we couldn't save the school. A very sad process.
Some boards of governors seem pretty ineffectual / incompetent. I have experienced one set who decided it was a good idea to change a school from all girls to mixed. It was then pointed out at a very heated parent / governor meeting that there was already an independent mixed school a mile away with the same level of results, the same good reputation, the same fees and better facilities. They either needed to make single sex work or call it a day. The idea was abandoned, the governors and head changed and the school is absolutely thriving. Another example was a 3rd local independent primary going bust around 2018 ish.We only found out ours was closing due to a whistle blower. Why schools don't advise of issues is beyond me. As a parent/old boy group we raised just shy of a million in a matter of months, and a commercial and educational plan but the damage was done and we couldn't save the school. A very sad process.
Edited by C4ME on Friday 24th May 15:24
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