Private schools and colleges have urged parents not to withhold fees during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis - or risk job cuts.

Independent schools across Gloucestershire have closed or introduced remote learning although King's School in Gloucester is among those offering supervision for a small number of key workers' children before the spring term ends on Friday.

The chief executive of the Independent Schools Association has warned some schools may close if fees are withheld and explained schools were working with parents to ease financial concerns.

Neil Roskilly, whose organisation represents around 540 schools in the UK, was among headmasters and owners who wrote to The Times expressing their concerns.

In the county the sector supports thousands of jobs - with Cheltenham Ladies' College alone employing 662 staff directly.

Mr Roskilly told inews.co.uk: "Some schools are concerned obviously that some parents may not pay fees for the summer term.

"Some of the schools have put in a little bit of a fee reduction already for September in their modelling to cover the fact there won't be any extracurricular activities over the course of the summer term, or lunches that they won't have to provide."

He said some schools faced an uncertain future without deep reservoirs of money to make up for any shortfall in fees.

"We see schools close every year," he told the i. "Will there be more as a result of this? Yes, I suspect so unfortunately, because they don't have huge reserves."

The letter to The Times, signed by senior figures in the independents schools sector, warned of job losses if fees are withheld.

It reads: "We want to reassure hard-pressed families that schools are doing what they can to help in the present emergency.

"Private schools are operating extensive online learning platforms so that children's education will not be interrupted.

"Despite that, some parents might consider withholding fees if the nature of provision has changed, albeit only in the short term."

The letter continues: "No school wants to make teachers redundant, recognising that the relationship between teacher and pupils is the most precious commodity; parents will want reassurance that this will still be the case in September.

"We are happy to give that reassurance while recognising that parents also face unprecedented challenges.

"Our schools are doing everything possible to support parents financially during the present crisis."

The King's School, which charges up to £6,620 per term for day pupils, is closed to all bar keyworkers children and essential staff.

A statement from the school said: "Online education is being provided to all pupils and will continue to be until the government permits us to open again.

"The keyworker school will remain open throughout the Easter holidays and next term. The school's facilities have been offered to the NHS, the local state primary school, and a local charity who may use our catering facilities."

David Moreton, headmaster at the school said: "Online education is being provided to all pupils and will continue to be until the government permits us to open again. 

"The keyworker school will remain open throughout the Easter holidays and next term.

"The school's facilities have been offered to the NHS, the local state primary school, and a local charity who may use our catering facilities."

Cheltenham Ladies' College moved to remote learning for the last week of term, which ended on Saturday. The college charges up to £14,390 per term for boarders and up to £9,525 for day pupils.

A statement on the college website reads: "Our unwavering approach to education has been, and always will be, to put pupils first, and in these testing times, we will continue to provide an outstanding education to our students across the globe."

Cheltenham College, which charges up to £12,590 per term for boarders, will also use remote learning after the Easter break on April 15.

The college has made its car parks available for use by NHS staff during the coronavirus crisis.

Other schools offering boarding in the county include Dean Close in Cheltenham, Westonbirt School, Wycliffe School in Stonehouse and Rendcomb School near Cirencester, which opened a new sixth form centre in February as part of its centenary celebrations.

According to the British Educational Suppliers Association, there are 2,408 independent schools in the UK, employing 61,500 people.

In its latest report The Independent Schools Council, which lists 23 members in Gloucestershire, says 6.5 per cent of pupils in the country attend independent schools, rising to more than 15 per cent over the age of 16.

Gloucestershire Independent School Fees

Airthrie School, Cheltenham - £2,345-3,430 (Day)

Beaudesert Park, Minchinhampton - £4,967-7,559 (Boarding), £1,915-5,887 (Day)

Berkhampstead School, Cheltenham - £799-£3,460 (Day)

Bredon School, Tewkesbury - £8,080-11,715 (Boarding), £3,680-7,315 (Day)

Cheltenham College - £12,260-£12,590 (Boarding), £9,195-£9,525 (Day)

Cheltenham Ladies' College - £12,780-14,390 (Boarding), £8,580-9,760 (Day)

Dean Close Prep/Pre-Prep School, Cheltenham - £4,547-£11,939 (Boarding), £2,830-£8,044 (Day)

Dean Close School, Cheltenham - £8,455-12,471 (Boarding), £5,850-£8,200 (Day)

Edward Jenner School, Gloucester - £2,520-2,880 (Day)

Hatherop Castle Preparatory School, Cirencester - £6,240-7,100 (Boarding), £2,280-4,750 (Day)

Hopelands Preparatory School - £2,096-3,041 (Day)

The King's School, Gloucester - £2,535-6,620 (Day)

Kitebrook Preparatory School, Moreton-in-Marsh - £5,270 (Boarding), £2,410-4,720 (Day)

OneSchool Global, Gloucester/Berkeley - £998 (Day)

Rendcomb College, Cirencester - £8,190-10,815 (Boarding), £2,070-7,775 (Day)

The Richard Pate School, Leckhampton - £1,160-3,650 (Day)

St Edward's Preparatory School, Charlton Kings - £62,715-£4,325 (Day)

St Edward's Senior School & Sixth Form - £5,090-6,210 (Day)

Westonbirt Preparatory School - £4,755 (Boarding), £2,040-3,865 (Day)

Westonbirt School - £10,150 (Boarding), £5,195 (Day)

Wycliffe Preparatory School, Stonehouse - £6,875-8,885 (Boarding), £3,225-5,595 (Day)

Wycliffe School, Stonehouse - £11,740-12,190 (Boarding), £6,645-6995 (Day)

Source: Independent Schools Council/School Websites