Private school -- extras?

[chamsi2009]

Hi all,

My DS got a great scholarship to an independent school -- really pleased! But we're wondering how much the extras will cost over and above the fees. Things like private school bus, lunches, fancy uniform, school trips, etc. Does anyone have any idea what one needs to budget for these extras? People say they're enourmous but don't specify. A ballpark figures would be useful so we can see if we can afford the discounted but not negligible fees.

THANKS ALL!!

[HocusUcas]

Chamsi,
I'm on this board for other stuff but have seen this you might want to read

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/2310781-Private-school-extra-costs?msgid=52693646

[chamsi2009]

Hi HocusUcas
Thanks so much! Similiar idea although she doesn't really say how much it costs ... her school doesn't have uniform or a school bus as the one we're thinking of does. Thanks though, it's helpful :-)

[StrumpersPlunkett]

OK we don't use the bus as for us it is £7 a day!! but no long term commitment we can opt in at reasonable short notice (for example if I am ill)
uniform cost us a fortune BUT as a family we like to have a total fresh kit each day so 5 of everything. Only 1 Blazer (£70) the sports kit and bag came to £150 and we haven't bought a cricket bat as we wanted to see if DS's enjoyed cricket first (the school are very happy for the kids to use school ones)
Lunches are included and they are gourmet! School trips are included unless they are overnight in which case there is a small cost, but things like insurance and transport that usually cripples state schools is already included so it was about £100 for DS to have 4 nights away with the school last year.

So far our added extra's have been minimal. We do however have a child who had no interest in going on the year 6 trip to Iceland (£795) or skiing (£900).

The thing that I worried about was everyone else having more disposable income than us. It turns out the variety was greater than I could have imagined, scholarships, grandparents paying, divorce settlements, business people, and family money all blend in together and you honestly can't tell who is who.

Sorry if that is too long and rambling.

[chamsi2009]

No no, don't be sorry, that is so useful!
£7/day for the bus is prohibitive isn't it! I think we would have to opt out of school trips if we went for this option -- unless I can find a new job, and fast.
Thanks very much :-)

[welshpixie]

DD's private international school can cost a lot more than the fees if you pay for everything. Trip to France 500 euros, Belgian trip 350 euros, ski trip 600 euros and there were more. She did 2 trips over 6 years, but also did debate which means 2 weekends away each year, fortunately we had 1 tournament in our school. Also no uniform at all and very little keeping up with the Jones's. The food is pretty awful to be honest and she eats out most days now.

[chamsi2009]

Thanks! The eating out must cost a lot too!

[Figmentofmyimagination]

Well done with fab sounding scholarship.

Our lunches are £200 a term but u can take a packed lunch and lots of children do. Does that help?

[Figmentofmyimagination]

When you get to sixth form there is a cafe and you just buy what you fancy. My DD takes a sandwich - made by her kind mum - and buys a coffee and some junk to go with it. They like the extra time a packed lunch can bring - it's not just about the money.

[LIZS]

We pay about £200 each term for each of bus and lunch. Bus fare is staggered by distance so the further away, the more you you pay. Mind you public bus isn't any less. Dd's uniform was around £350 but blazer was second hand at around £35 plus footwear and genetic stuff like blouses. So allow about £500 total. They wear same all year round so no summer uniform to buy on top.

[SansaUndercover]

Would you have to pay for any public exams he sat? GCSEs would probably cost you £300-400 and A-levels maybe £400-500, depending on how many he does and what exam board the school used, and you would have to pay extra for any resits.

Obviously, if you know what to expect, you can predict these costs and save up for them, and some bursaries will cover the cost of exam fees for students.

[chamsi2009]

Thanks so much everyone. Gosh, it never occurred to me that bus and lunch would cost an extra £400 per term or that the GCSEs would be chargeable? Is that always the case with independend schools?