Private school fees - have yours gone up for next year and by how much?

[Hulababy]

This is DD's first year at private prep school - in PP1. We have just had the letter announcing the rise in fees for next year, and was just curious if the level of rise is standard.

Not complaining or anything - we knew it would happen most years, but keen tof ind out more!

DD's fees have gone up by about 15%.

hardly a surprise though, they are businesses. and as such, surely they should be investing eg in capital expenditure rather than fleecing people who are already at their school. sorry but this makes me feel even more smug about my no to private schools stance.

Whether the fees are going up or not, ask for a copy of the school's most recent few years' accounts. If they are trying to plug a hole in a big loss, then there may be a question mark over the school's future.

If any of you have read Freakonomics, it's got a really interesting chapter about what factors influence a child's educational development. The school they go to in fact has very little effect on the outcome even if the apparent quality of the education is markedly different. It's almost all down to who their parents are and not what the parents do.

SpareWheel - I don't think we have to worry about it's future. It is a very well established school, with great reputation. So luckily that won't be a problem.

It's a privately owned school.

After holidays are over can have a chat with parents of children been there longer - don't think rises have been as high previously.

Still think the school fees are worth what she is getting.

TBH they might just be catching up with other similar types of schools in other local cities.

bundle - each to their own, but my reasons for private school are well thought out, and I am more than happy with my choice and know that this school is the best one for DD, given all our options. Ours wasn't a choice between state and private, but a choice between a number of schools available to us.

SW, I've always thought my children were largely born not made, particularly interesting having twins too and how different they are and looking at adopted children who are very different from their parents. So Yes I agree who your parents are can be one of the big factors but I would still put environment down there at 50% and for ease of life, pleasantness of grounds, avoidance of trauma, general niceness and comfort never mind goot exam results etc if you can afford it private schools are just so much easier all round.

so narrow minded xenia quite jaw droppingly so

Better carpets and oil paintings too and better quality of champagne. These things matter you know.... laughing as I type...

This wasn't meant to turn into a state v private arguement again you know!!! Argh!

'ease of life, pleasantness of grounds, avoidance of trauma, general niceness and comfort '

dear dear

betcha my daughters state school sits atop yours on the league tables not laughing as i type

ahh that silenced you

The letter was waiting for us today (we were away over the weekend.

SOmeone better at mental maths than me can work out the percentages (havn't got a calculator)

Pre-prep up £95 to £2,000 per term
Prep up £108 to £2,270 per term
Senior up £125 to £2,616 per term

The fees are all inclusive with all meals, after school care etc included.

Bloody hell that's cheap. WIth after school care and lunches. Blimey.

So it's true what the letter from the governors says then

"X House fees still represent excellent value in that our fee is fully inclusive unlike that of many other schools which does not include the cost of meals, after school care etc"

Our class sizes are slightly larger than some schools though 20 in pre-prep and 24 in prep.

Without getting drawn into the whole state school vs private thing [ducks mud being hurled], if you want an objective word on the debate, read the BBC News report from 2003 on standards in both sectors although it may be a bit out of date by now.

SW I just looked at that but all it's saying is that state schools fill out forms better which in mindless fashion they do. I love the non regulated eccentricities of the private sector where you can have brilliant teachers without a PGCE, schools where exams don't have to be taken if you want that freedom etc.

Obviously some aren't good in the private sector on any basis but most parents know that and avoid it.

"Until the 2002 Education Act was passed, owners of Ofsted-inspected private schools could, with relative ease, flout health and safety rules".....

But overall most private schools are nicer better places and get better exam results and turn out children with better manners, ability to cope in the world etc in my view.

You know Xenia, your last paragraph has left me speechless. If that's the sort of attitude private schools produce then thank god I didnt sent mine that way. I think most people though are a little more balanced.

still bet yours is not as good as mine Xenia.....

Dont think the private school system succeeded with you

'nicer' 'better' 'ability to cope in the world'

That is your veiw and a very warped one

Oh come on, surely everyone can see when Xenia's taking the piss! The fact is many parents DO choose independent education, sometimes making enormous sacrifices in other areas to do so. So there must be something in it. If state schools were just as good, then independent schools would go under because there wouldn't be the demand for them. The independent school DH teaches in is lovely. Probably around 15% of the pupils are children of staff in the school. There's no snobbery. Just the freedom to enjoy a REAL education, which for me is about encouraging a child to achieve their potential. Not worrying the whole time about ticking the right boxes or dealing with the minority of disaffected and disruptive children who take up so much of the teachers' time.

I'm not against private schools, Ebeneezer. I wouldn't send my child to one but I am fortunate that they go to excellent state schools. However, they will also grow up to be just as well mannered and polite as I am sure Xenia's children are. I don't believe she was taking the piss.

Well maybe..... tho i still think a lot of what she says is tongue in cheek. I believe the parents are the key players in raising children, and if you bring up your children to be well mannered and respectful, then I have no doubt thats how they're likely to turn out. I wouldn't knock anyone who sends their children to state schools. I am a head of department in a state comprehensive! But as DH now teaches in an independent school, and we are able to send our children there as a perk of the job, that's what we choose to do.

£1735 per term for reception, years 1 and years 2(2005/2006)
to £2050 for 2007/2008. Prices are inclusive of lunches...

the nosey part of me would love to take a peak at the websites of the school that your DC go to...but suppose that wouldn't be quite the done thing !!!!!