I guess the proof will be in the pudding! The Governors might have decided to make a number of full fee day places available, but they've yet to find families who are willing to fill them.I have to wonder if the 'Powers-That-Be' have REALLY thought this one through !
What is the competition like for independent schools in the catchment area? Does demand outstrip supply? In the current economic climate there has already been a decrease in demand for private education, and those parents who can still afford it will presumably be looking for the best deal in terms of scholarships, class sizes, facilities etc.
The message that has come from CH so far seems to be "We need more money to shore up our desperate financial situation, and if we don't get it we may have to close. So we propose to increase class sizes in order that you can cough up large sums to send your children for 13 hours a day (plus Saturdays) to a school where they will be in a tiny minority and will be treated exactly like the boarders but without benefitting from the advantages of actually boarding."
Maybe I'm being cynical, but as a marketing strategy this doesn't seem to have huge appeal...