Way too much emotion involved in whether the decision to pay up front is good or bad. There is no right or wrong answer, it is a risk issue and, as you all know, different folks have different attitudes to risk.
So please stop the lectures that it is wrong for everyone to pay up front, for some the risk is worth it and it is condescending and arrogant to hurl insults at those who decide to take the risk.
Think of the extra you pay by not paying up front as the cost of insuring you don’t lose your money. EG in the example given the £750 potential saving is the insurance premium to cover £6000, at 12.5% it’s a heavy insurance premium. Now, on that basis make your decision, simple really when you take the emotion out.
There are of course other steps that can be taken to minimise the risk where you are dealing with a limited company. Although the information held is not extensive and is a bit dated it can provide a flavour of the school’s standing for next to nothing.
SAS, I am sure those who choose to pay up front respect your view on not paying up front and understand your logic, so please try to respect the intelligence of others who don’t think as you do. You don’t have a monopoly on good ideas!