Help....School Fees

[Farmer Jones]

I was chatting to a friend about this yesterday, and they made an interesting point:

Whilst I can prove that the class size increased from 21 to 41, I cannot prove that they did not keep a place open for my son. So they could say their capacity is 42 and turned a potential pupil away in order to keep the place open.
So they are now at a loss.

Should I ask a question around what the capacity of the year is ?

FJ

[Farmer Jones]

I have now received notification that the case has been transferred to the local (to me) business unit.

What should I be doing now to get the case together ?

[jaguarsuk]

I was chatting to a friend about this yesterday, and they made an interesting point:

Whilst I can prove that the class size increased from 21 to 41, I cannot prove that they did not keep a place open for my son. So they could say their capacity is 42 and turned a potential pupil away in order to keep the place open.
So they are now at a loss.

Should I ask a question around what the capacity of the year is ?

FJ

Have a look at their prospectus and see if it's in there, try to find out without alerting them. Class sizes are likely something a private school would want to brag about.

I have now received notification that the case has been transferred to the local (to me) business unit.

What should I be doing now to get the case together ?

You need to start drafting your Witness Statements if you haven't already started doing it and await directions of the court next.

[Farmer Jones]

I have (so far) not managed to find anything with specific class sizes. I have managed to find the Independent Schools Inspectorate report which mentions " small class sizes". I am going through school reports this evening which may show class sizes over the years.

In the mean time I am working on witness statements as well, and my former wife may or may not co-operate with the witness statements. However I have copies of all of the emails from her to the school.

What else can I do ?

[jaguarsuk]

Nothing more you can do than prepare your WS ready to file by the deadline and serve.

[Farmer Jones]

I havn't heard anything from the Court service, so I suppose I will get notification when the deadline is...?

[jaguarsuk]

I havn't heard anything from the Court service, so I suppose I will get notification when the deadline is...?

Yes, you'll get an order setting a hearing date and this will contain directions usually to file and serve the WS 14 days prior to the hearing.

[Farmer Jones]

I am working on the witness statements at the moment, and am waiting for the paperwork from the court. In the mean time I have been researching the class size challenge.

From a number of websites I have found the headmaster quoting "small class sizes" and one page as " an average class size of 16 pupils".

Speaking to a friend over the weekend, it has now occurred to me that the answer to this all is in the current class sizes.

The year has gone from 21 to 41. 41 is far too big for one class, so they have divided the year into two classes, 20 & 21 pupils.

Even if they held a place open for my son how could they be out of pocket ? What loss have they suffered ? After all he would have made the numbers up to two classes of 21 instead of one of 20 and one of 21...?

Thoughts ?

[jaguarsuk]

I am working on the witness statements at the moment, and am waiting for the paperwork from the court. In the mean time I have been researching the class size challenge.

From a number of websites I have found the headmaster quoting "small class sizes" and one page as " an average class size of 16 pupils".

Speaking to a friend over the weekend, it has now occurred to me that the answer to this all is in the current class sizes.

The year has gone from 21 to 41. 41 is far too big for one class, so they have divided the year into two classes, 20 & 21 pupils.

Even if they held a place open for my son how could they be out of pocket ? What loss have they suffered ? After all he would have made the numbers up to two classes of 21 instead of one of 20 and one of 21...?

Thoughts ?

Their terms state about them holding place for your son, not in a specific class just a place in the school year. The year has increased from 21 to 41, had it gone from 21 to 20 then their terms would have held wight, but it didn't it went up by 19. They didn't hold a place for your son, another pupil took it and was followed by a further 19.

It may well be they could have accommodated your son had you wished, but as the year size had not decreased they have suffered no loss and by their terms in replacing your son with the 21st pupil in the year you are not liable to them. Pupils 22-41 are irrelevant.

[Farmer Jones]

I am working on the witness statements.
The first one is from my former wife and indicates that she gave notice, the school accepted that (evidence being the email trail from the headmaster) and is in a chronological order.

My witness statement indicates the the events that occurred, including emails. How do I get accross my points about class size, section 9.11 and the 41 pupils above?

Thanks

[Farmer Jones]

I have not heard anything from the Court since they transferred the case to my local Court. Is there a time limit on this...how long does this usually take ?

[Amethyst]

Usually they'll get something back with directions/hearing date within 6 weeks from the directions questionnaire, sometimes can be longer depending how busy they are, but if you go past 6 weeks I'd maybe give them a call.

[Farmer Jones]

I have not received a "directions questionnaire" ... should I have ? Maybe they have given up ?

[Farmer Jones]

Hi
I received a letter from the original court saying that the court had "lost the paperwork". However the paperwork has now been found and that the case is now being transferred to my local court. Letter dated 3rd December and received 23 December. In the same post I received a letter from the other sides solicitors saying that the court had lost the paperwork and due to their endeavors, the court has now found the paper work & is transferring the case to my local court.

This seems to have taken quite a while and I am concerned that loosing paperwork means that not all of the paperwork is now available. Surely this all needs to go back to beginning of the process as I am not sure all the paperwork is present...how would I know ?

Comments please ...

[Farmer Jones]

Hi all

I have now received a Court date for April 2019.

I have a few questions and will post these in the next day or so, aminly around proceedure. All help gratefully appreciated.