School fees have increased yet again, have yours?

33 replies

Shortdarkandfeisty · 14/04/2017 12:02

And if so, are you happy about it? I'm fairly sure it's above the rate of inflation. Nothing we can do about it except pay but .

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Ta1kinPeace · 14/04/2017 16:09

Historically Private School fees have risen by double inflation for the last 30 years.
Inflation is likely to hit 4% this summer.
Add to that the Living Wage, ERS NI and Auto Enrollment increasing the cost of support staff
and Brexit reducing the supply of support staff
its likely that a lot of schools will ramp the fees over the coming years.

Dixiechickonhols · 14/04/2017 16:01

Dd's have barely gone up in 7 years she has been there. Fees are £400 more this year than we paid 2010/11.

tovelitime · 14/04/2017 15:27

I'm sure ours will go up. Luckily I've just paid the last terms fees for the child on the more expensive school and feel might relieved. What started at £3300 per term 5 years ago is now a whopping £4850.50 at prep level. Plus last terms extras were over £500. Luckily we've paid without a problem and it was the best school for this DC for various reasons and it's an incredible school but I'm not convinced that paying £15k per year would be my default option if there was a suitable state alternative especially not from day 1.

Danglingmod · 14/04/2017 13:19

We're not sure yet. It tends to be a lot later in the year that we're informed (which is very naughty, really).

We had 5% two years in a row, then no increase, then 1.5% last two years. Luckily, we saved up for sixth form alongside paying year 7-11 fees and that's in an account paying more than 1.5%.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 14/04/2017 12:21

Yes, but only 4 terms to go now! Counting down.

originalbiglymavis · 14/04/2017 12:14

What hasn't gone up (apart from salaries)? C'est la vie, I'm afraid. We expect about 4% these days.

Okite · 14/04/2017 12:12

Yes ours have gone up 2.5%. As teen says, we expect it to go up each year.

TeenAndTween · 14/04/2017 12:11

We uses state, but surely when choosing private you have to assume that fees will go up yearly by at least inflation and generally more?
Schools have to compete to be 'the best' and that means investing in ever improving facilities and extra curricular opportunities. Plus possibly pressure to give bursaries may mean that those that pay in full have to pay more (like care home fees.)

Depending how old your children are, if this is going to be a long term issue for you, you do have an alternative, which is to give notice and move to the state system. Only you know a) whether you can afford private, and b) how you view the cost-benefit trade off.

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