Wondering whether we can afford private school.

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We have 1 DC. Our local primary school is rated "inadequate" across the board in its most recent OFSTED report. We are therefore considering private, but I'm not sure we can actually afford it.

Monthly income after tax, car, bills and mortgage (but not food, clothes, extras) is £3,000.

School costs £8,175 a year up to and including Y3. Then £14,850 a year up to and including Y9.

Private secondary schools in our area are approx £25,000 a year.

I'm guessing that there are also a lot of extras, but have no idea how much these would be. I would be very grateful for the thoughts/ experience of other people who have managed this on a similar income. Also whether they think it has been worth the sacrifices.

I don't know, dd2 is at a day school in SE and fees are 20k per annum. There are others that are higher still.

Sevenoaks,Tonbridge, Roedean etc.

For starters I want to say that just because you can pay for something doesn't mean you can AFFORD it.

The fact that you have to sacrifice your lifestyle to such a great extent means that you cannot really afford it. I may have 20K in my savings account but that is money I'm setting aside towards a down-payment on my home. Just cause I can buy a Patek Philippe, doesn't mean I can actually afford one.

Another thing that's not part of your expenses is saving money towards retirement. Unless you happen to have a job that gives you a final salary pension, you will need to set aside some income there as well if you ever hope to retire. It's amazing how most people don't consider this an essential item when they look at their finances. (I guess there is always equity release).

Now there's nothing wrong with sacrificing everything to give your child a good education but based on what you've described, unfortunately you cannot afford it.

Day fees here are around 20k.

Boarding 30

Also, sometimes it's just not worth it! My dd hates her expensive private school and can't wait to move to state 6th form!! I would seriously investigate any good state options are secondary and consider moving if necessary. At least think about it.

Based on your disposal 3k and no other children decision it is my opinion that you most definitely can afford a private prep.

I am working on slightly higher figures but for two and we manage it.

Good luck.

The most important years educationally are 9-11. That's what you should be planning for. Honestly, they can spend the first couple of years playing with lego and it won't make a jot of difference. I'd try the local school.

As mentioned its doable but it might require some sacrifices - tightening up elsewhere. Another option would be to stick to local primary but boosting her education by home tutoring hence saving for secondary.

BTW £25k for secondary is must be amongst the most expensive in the country. You can still get great secondary schools circa 15k in south east, non profit schools usually have more reasonable fees and lower fee hikes - some average 1.5% over past couple of years.

What year was the state school's last Ofsted done?

Private schools here are mostly under £10pa for secondary, slightly less for primary.

Those Ofsted ratings are years old. Surprised they haven't been reinspected by now.

I agree, Reggae.

Are you sure the school hasn't opened up with a new name? I don't know of any schools round here who had 'unsatisfactory' and haven't been reinspected since. Something doesn't sound right about that.

We managed to afford higher fees on less disposable income than you describe but Grandma bought all the uniform, no holidays for years and household maintenance on a bare minimum. DD will be going to grammar from September and our decrepit bathroom will finally get its long overdue refurb. We can't afford secondary not least as our house would fall apart if we didn't spend some money on it soon

I think, numbers-wise, you can afford it but it depends on how much you want it and whether you think it's better value than all other options.
In my personal opinion, based on my own thoughts, observations and values, I value a private prep education higher than state primary hands down for three reasons:

1. Those are the foundation years and the privates instill that bit more of a push, which once instilled in a child, with parental encouragement, will remain with them in later years.

1. I have more than a handful of friends who started out in state primary, two of which were at so called top state schools (one in Surrey, the other in Herts) where they thought their kids were receiving an excellent education, (and they probably were), until they moved into private due to increased income and thought wow, you can't even compare. Private standards were so much higher, even academically, let alone on a more "rounded" basis.

1. There are still several state secondary grammars in the country that offer private-style push and results comparable to majority of top privates. There are parts of Kent, for example where house prices are not entirely prohibitive, compared to the cost of private and would be in my opinion, good value, as opposed to going private for secondary.

I've seen numerous examples of state primary kids (three in my extended family) who struggled at private secondary or grammar because they simply didn't have that style of work ethic which comes naturally to many private prep kids. I've seen two outright failures.

I would caveat the above by saying, again entirely my opinion, that the only secondary privates really worth paying for, if they are affordable, are the ones at the very top....The Etons, Harrows, Wycombe Abbeys, CLCs, Sevenoaks, etc. Even then, I would argue that they are only truly worth it at sixth form, where (aside from top end universities), they would stay on a cv for longer and can lead to internships at some top jobs, for example, if that's the path the children/parents want to go.

I would also caveat by saying, it sounds a cliche, but it really does depend on the child. Some are not influenced by their peers and would thrive and excel in an average or the lowest performing schools, beating top private secondary students to the best jobs in any sector...employed or self employed.

I guess all I'm saying is, explore all the options open to you, even the ones you might think are not an option, such as moving to Kent! Spend money on worthy education only, if you must spend it (there are good privates, average privates and rubbish privates) and think of what would best suit your child's potential and personality as well as your family's circumstances.

Why are your private secondaries £25k! I am in London and ours is £15k even at sixth form level.

Why do people keep querying the prices? I am in Kent and there are lots here that are 7,8,9k a term.
Tonbridge is over 9k a term, my dd is at a school which is 6k a term.

And that's day fees.

Read the report and visit.

Often the gradings are heavily influenced by KS2 SATS, absence rates, 'policies' etc. These might paint a negative picture because the school is crap and depressed, or because they are too cuddly and accommodating. The latter can make for a very nice early years experience - which (IMO) is all about emotional security and social skills. Nothing academic happens in KS1 that can't be compensated at home.

25k is the top end.

There are lots of excellent day schools charging less.

27k is top end here and maybe Op is in my area, who knows? But I wish people would stop implying that she is lying or should move.

There are no excellent day schools charging less near me. There are a couple of cheaper ones (15k a year at secondary) but they are far from excellent.

It's geographical. There seems to be a Kent/Surrey effect.
I think St Paul's girls one of the very best schools int he UK is about £21k. Habs girls in sixth form where my daughter went is about £20k a year. My sons' school is about £15k. I have never been sure why as soon as you go out to that rare area where the exam results are not even as good as some of these better London schools the fees are higher. NLCS where my other daughter went arguably the best girls' school in the UK or top 3 or 5 anyway is £18k a year seniors.

Deo you are so funny.

3 is requires improvement. It could be inadequate in one area which would cause the whole rating to be so.