Independent Special School Fees

[madme]

Son is statemented. LEA named secondary school we wanted in Statement. Dispute about certain additional help school say is necessary. School want us to sign their usual contract with parents making us responsible for all school fees. Current school say unheard of. Any ideas or views?

[helenl53]

Add a codicile

 

" as xxxx has a statement of special educational need, xxx LEA are responsible for the maintenance of the statement and therefore funding of provision to meet xxxx special educational needs."

 

I think in this instance, you are not legally responsible - but someone with more knowledge I know, will come along soon.

 

HelenL

[Zemanski]

phone IPSEA, they should know

 

Zemanski

[madme]

Thanks will try later.

[bid]

Blimey!!

 

My son is at an independent special school, and our LEA pay his fees with SS.

 

Bid

[call me jaded]

Son is statemented. LEA named secondary school we wanted in Statement. Dispute about certain additional help school say is necessary. School want us to sign their usual contract with parents making us responsible for all school fees. Current school say unheard of. Any ideas or views?

 

Don't sign. Let them sort it out between themselves. If you sign, you *will* be legally responsible for any shortfall. Your child is entitled to the appropriate support.

 

DO NOT SIGN.

Edited May 10, 2006 by call me jaded

[madme]

Hi, This saga is still going on. Lea say they usually sign contracts and pay deposists in these circumstances. School say we do it our way - parents sign and we are supposed to have a contract with lea ourselves! Ipsea and Nas have said dont sign. Have been effectively told that son will lose place. Not sure what to do. Spoke to local ISis and they were no use- also said should sign. School say dont care what other independent schools say - we do it our way and no one has ever questioned it before. What a mess.

[bid]

Hi again,

 

I have to say that we didn't sign any contract for fees with my son's indep special school...the contract is between the school and our LEA/SS.

 

Bid

[call me jaded]

Personally I would go to the Chief Exec of your local council and tell him your son is going to lose his place at special school because the LA won't sign a contract. Make it clear that you will hold the LA responsible and accountable. Even better if you have a 'tame' solicitor to write you a letter.

 

Good luck. My son's special place was not formally settled until late July last year. I know what you're going through.

[col]

DD8 went to a specialist hospital unit for 3 years. That was funded by the NHS and LEA. Now goes to a specialist charity school and that is funded by the LEA. I have never heard of what your going through and i'm disqusted with your LEA. DON'T SIGN!

[Carol]

My son is also at a Independant School and it is split 50/50 with Education and Social Work - never had to sign anything regarding payment of fees.

 

Can't understand why they are asking you to sign it.

 

Carol

[jen]

Why don't you take the form to the LEA office and get them to sign it or ask them to send a letter to you and the school stating they will pay the costs. Write a letter to the accounts department stating the LEA are responsible and give them the address to contact. Any more letters forward them to the LEA.

 

Jen

[madme]

Well Lea called school's bursar. She pointed out that school are wrong and he should send a contract to the LEA. He refused. To be fair LEa are trying to resolve it- its the school bursar who has an obscure approach. He is adamant that we must sign. The school is a registered charity. It has at least a third statemented kids so they should know what they are doing. Have spoken to DFES who agree. As they are independent no one actually "monitors" them so they can do what they want. THey are not members of "NASS" so we cant get them involved - and if they were we wouldnt be in this position. I can see it all going belly up - him losing place and us having to find somewhere else- we looked at so many and this was the right one. If we do I might just go to the DRC think this situation would be covered. I dont want to argue with them I just want to get this resolved but if they wont change their views when the LEa intervene it looks as if we are onto a loser. Perhaps Ill win the lottery and then can happily sign a contract for ?35k per year! Thanks Jen. We sort of did that but school say if we dont sign we will lose the place. It has to be resolved one way or another.

[call me jaded]

I'd be inclined to email IPSEA with the specific question and then John Wright will phone you. that's happened to me on a couple of occassions.

[bid]

Sorry Madme, I don't quite understand...if it's a special school, then surely all the children will have statements??

 

Bid

[madme]

Its an independent school which is quasi specialist ie all the children have a "difficulty" but some are funded by parents. It has a mainstream ethos and thats the problem. There are many children there with statements but their parents have just conceded and signed the contract apparently despite the fact that fees are in fact paid by the LEA.

[bid]

Ummmm, I don't want to speak out of turn, but have you thought that maybe it might not be the best school if it has this attitude??

 

Sorry...I hope I haven't offended you

 

Bid

[madme]

We are also starting to worry. But its the admin side. The teachers are really good and the children do achieve well. We looked at a lot and it was the only one we really liked. My son has a complex dx and it seemed the best fit. He should be able to do A levels. but there are more practical subjects if not. It seemed a good compromise. I wanted a school where it was basically mainstream but smaller and more caring. I also wanted one through to 18. It has onsite OT and SALT which he needs. On paper and when you go there is seems perfect. We are quite bemused by this. Anyaway Temple is calling!

[madme]

Still not sorted. DFEs are going to call the school. Lea have still not obtained approval as it isnt an approved school- It was named in Part4 months ago but the LEA officer said oh its ok they are DFES registered..Der. Just wish it was all sorted and could get on with planning and preparing him for secondary. At this rate he may end up not going. Spoke to a solicitor and they agreed its all very odd.