Enrolments Contracts: More than Just a Signature

Article supplied by Trish Cartwright, Admissions Consultancy

For many schools, the Enrolment Contract is one of the most important documents a family will sign. Yet it is often treated as an administrative step rather than an opportunity to establish a shared understanding of the relationship between the school and the family. 

An Enrolment Contract is more than an agreement to pay school fees. It sets out the mutual obligations of both parties – the school’s commitment to provide educational services and the parents’ commitment to support their child’s education, comply with school policies and meet their financial obligations. 

One clause that frequently causes confusion is a clause stating parents are to be jointly and severally responsible for fees. In simple terms, this means each parent is individually responsible for the full amount owing. Schools should ensure parents understand this obligation before signing, rather than discovering its implications only if fees become overdue. 

Schools that conduct Enrolment interviews have a valuable opportunity to discuss these contractual commitments, answer questions and confirm that families understand the terms before entering into the agreement. However, some schools have moved away from interviews or rely on digital Enrolment processes alone. Simply providing a lengthy contract for electronic acceptance may not be sufficient to ensure families genuinely understand their obligations. 

Clear communication around school fees, withdrawal notice periods, parent codes of conduct, student behaviour expectations and other key contractual terms help establish the culture of the school from the outset. It also reinforces that Enrolment is a partnership built on mutual expectations, transparency and accountability. 

A well-communicated Enrolment Contract does more than reduce future disputes – it lays the foundation for a positive and informed relationship between families and the school from day one, and when that occurs, everyone wins. 

Trish Cartwright 
Admissions Consultancy

NSW/ACT Chapter Committee | educate+