Fee Recovery for Independent Schools

Our Independent Schools Experience

900+

schools

£60m+

Collections

0.0064%

Complaint rate

Commission only charged on monies recovered

Our rate remains the same whether it takes us a single day to recover your debt or an entire year. It’s in our interest to act as quickly as possible.

All Services

Ancillary Services

Our ancillary services are available to all our clients. If a case requires a specific service such as legal action or debtor tracing, the associated issuing cost will be explained to you before any speculative action is taken and we will require your express instruction before undertaking any fee incurring work.

No collection, no commission

In most cases, our typical commission rate is 15%, and we only charge commission if we successfully collect. Which means we’re fully focused on getting results.

Dependent on our clients’ terms and conditions, or relevant legislation, costs may also be recovered where we are legally able to do so.

Easing the burden

Credit control can be a time-consuming process. For a small business, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to dedicate to chasing debt, while even larger companies with credit control staff frequently need a hand with stubborn debtors. Which is where a partner with experience, expertise and a persistent, professional approach can prove priceless.

Responsible fee recovery

Pupil retention has become a high priority for schools.

Enrolments are falling and school closures are continuing across the country, but collecting unpaid school fees to maintain cash flow can come with its own risk. Overly aggressive tactics can backfire when parents get upset. News travels fast, influencing how a school is perceived within its own community.

We communicate with fee-payers in a way that reflects the standing of the school. Respect is maintained but we're direct about what's owed and when, and consequences for non-payment, an approach we refer to as firm but fair.

AML checks with instant results

Independent schools can run AML checks on fee-payers directly through ParentCheck, our secure self-service platform. Search a leading global database, identify potential sanctions, PEP and adverse media risks, and keep a record of every check in one place.

When to escalate

Every unpaid fee comes with unique context and some level of risk. The Outstanding Accounts Triage Sheet supports schools in reviewing those factors and deciding the most appropriate course of action.

Prioritise the right accounts

1
step 1 Your details
2
step 2 Parent/Guardian details
3
step 3 About the debt

Name of School

Registration Number

If you've selected Limited Company or Charity, please input your Limited Company Number or Charity Number below:

Contact person*

Email address*

Contact number*

Your interest rate for unpaid fees, if any:

domain

Commonly Asked Questions from Independent Schools

Can we recover unpaid school fees without harming parent relationships?

Yes. Recovery focuses on consistent contact rather than repeated chasing. Parents are given defined next steps and timeframes, which reduces back-and-forth and avoids situations escalating informally through complaints or conversations with other families.

Do you understand the independent education sector?

We work with dozens of independent schools across the UK and are familiar with the fee cycle, payment plans and parental concerns unique to the sector. Cases are handled with term timing, payment plans and pastoral context in mind including where families are still part of the school community or have siblings on roll.

What if the family has left the school or stopped responding?

This is common once a pupil leaves. When letters are returned or contact goes quiet, tracing can be used to confirm current details before deciding whether and how to progress the case.

Can debts from previous academic years still be referred?

Yes. Debts can usually be recovered up to six years from when payment became due. If you’re unsure whether a case is still eligible, we can assess it and advise you on the next steps.

“The collection of debts is vital to any business where credit is offered and whilst at our school fees should be paid in advance this is not always the case.

We operate a very effective credit control at school and I take pride in the great job that my team does to collect fees. However, there are some that we do not manage to collect despite our very best efforts.

These debts are referred to you and so far you have a 100% success rate of making these parents pay school what is legally owed to school. We have tried other debt collection agencies previously but with little success.

The combination of our efforts and your expertise means that the school has a very good track record of debt collection and the last set of statutory accounts actually shows the school making a profit on bad debts as we collected on debts that had previously been provided for.”

Stover School

“May I take this opportunity of saying how pleased we are with the service delivered by your organisation. You are the consummate professionals in what can be a less than glamorous undertaking. You have kept us involved and updated throughout the various proceedings and the sound advice, guidance and personal service were exactly the approach we were looking for.

Your persistence when dealing with debtors and your expert knowledge of the systems available to you as debt collectors has resulted in an impressive performance in the recovery of debts over the past year. I am more than contend to endorse your company to those whom might have the need of debt recovery.”

Burgess Hill School for Girls

“Engaging Redwood Collections to undertake fee debt collection has improved the efficiency of debt collection and allowed the finance team to focus on its principal activities. Where initial attempts to secure payment have failed, it has been beneficial to be able to engage a third party to pursue the matter professionally and objectively. Often, the mere involvement of Redwood Collections prompts a payment from a debtor who has been unwilling to prioritise a debt to the school.”

Wells Cathedral School

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REDWOOD COLLECTIONS

Refer a debt

To recover bad debts from non-payers, simply turn to the team who have helped many others in your position recoup what they are rightfully owed.

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The impact of an unresolved debt

Our interactive calculator helps you understand the financial impact of keeping a debt on your ledger and the costs involved in managing or collecting it.

DEBT VALUE

£ 0

£ 50000

DAYS OVERDUE

0 DAYS

180 DAYS

what this debt has COST you to date:
?
This figure is based on the estimated cost of in-house debt collection efforts, including staff salaries, overheads and any software/tools used for collections.

What you have already spent trying to service this debt

£000.00

Is this a business to business debt? Are you able to recoup debt recovery and legal costs?

our COMMISSION: The fee payable to us if we collect this debt where our normal 15% commission rate applies

£000.00

what we will aim to collect: This is the total amount collectable, combining the original debt amount, any recoverable commission and interest charged at 8% per annum

£000.00

Ready to get started and refer your debt?

Click here to fill out our quick and easy form

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ABOUT REDWOOD COLLECTIONS

Our Promise

It’s not just about delivering. It’s about delivering the best experience and the best result possible. That’s why client satisfaction means everything to us.

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