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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can I afford private school for 3 children?

55 replies

Internationalwomendayheadquarters · 29/04/2025 16:56

We are struggling to make financial decisions about the kids’ school. Our local state school is awful (violence and very poor outcomes)

Our local private school is going to cost us ÂŁ12K a year per child (staff discount). The fees go up 5% a year.

We have 75K joint earnings, no mortgage. No hefty bills such as car payments etc and a basic UK holiday each year. We also have investments that bring in 25K a year.

Should we just move to a better school catchment?

YABU - you cannot afford this
YANBU - you can afford this

OP posts:
littlemissprosseco · 29/04/2025 17:08

Yes, if you’re prepared to sacrifice things like expensive holidays, take outs, restaurants, cinema trips etc….
Only you can decide where to spend, and what is of highest priority for you

Overthebow · 29/04/2025 17:08

Is your £75k joint earnings before or after tax? If that’s your actual take home then it’s fine, if that’s before tax then I’d say you can’t afford it.

Quitelikeit · 29/04/2025 17:05

No and how on earth do you need to come on here and ask?!

You certainly can’t be a math teacher (I hope)

HollidayRanger · 29/04/2025 17:04

No

Rocknrollstar · 29/04/2025 17:01

You have ÂŁ100k per year and school fees for three will be ÂŁ36k. You do the maths. In any case, you have to budget in not 5% py increase but the cost of secondary education which is much more, expensive uniforms and school trips.