How many 'terms' are there in a year?

[tracyk]

I have been quoted a preice per term for our nearest school - but how much is that a year?

[Ladymuck]

Typically 3.

[hulababy]

For the majority of schools there are 3 terms, split into 6 half terms normally.

Is this school fees? If so, most private schools still follow this pattern.

However some state schools are changing from this pattern and may have 4 or 5 terms in a year.

[HallgerdaLongcloak]

I'd ask, to be on the safe side. DS1's school still has three, but DS2 and DS3's school has moved to six, by renaming the old half-terms as terms.

[busybusymum]

we have 6

[tracyk]

It is a private school and they quote on average about £2000 a term - it's only a small town private school - so £6000 a year sounds right. My friend is sending her kids to a big posh city one and they are £7000 a year.

[hulababy]

tracyk - that sounds about right to me too.

[hulababy]

They should however be able to give you an exact cost to the current year's fees. Expect these to go up every year though as private school fees, in more recent years, has been going up quite rapidly when compared to inflation, etc.

[tracyk]

It still works out cheaper than I am paying for nursery fees at the moment - so not too horrendous.

[LIZS]

6k for the younger preprep years would be about right for a 3 term year. You may get LEA funding to part offset the fees until your lo turns 5 too.

[hulababy]

Yes, that is what we noticed. School fees compared to FT nursery doesn't seem to bad! However, remember you will need some child care cover in school holidays as not all schools do holiday clubs.

Check cost, if any:

• of breakfast club and after school club
  
• any after school or extra curricular activities
  
• holiday club, if there is one
  
• school meals
  
• school trip average price and frequency
  
  Hidden costs can add up. We are lucky that most costs are included in the fees for DD.
  
  And see how much the uniform costs. DD's uniform is very expensive!!!

[hulababy]

Oh yes, forgot that Lizs. DD's first two terms are part funded with nursery vouchers - saving up around £400-500 a term IIRR. Makes a big difference.

[tracyk]

Thats the part I'm not looking forward too - school holidays - its fab at the mo that ds is at nursery 50 weeks a year - I have no idea what to do once he goes to 'proper' school!

[portonovo]

We have six here too...

[hulababy]

I am very lucky as I have masses of holidays.

I guess holiday clubs of some form are the best bet.