Can you tell me how much it costs to put 3DC through private school in London including all the extras we may not be thinking about?

[Sonofficx]

On the verge of deciding whether to have a third DC. DH is all for it, but I think he does not have a realistic view of the cost. We live in central London and would want to send the DC to private school in London.

Would anybody be willing to give me a realistic idea, including a rough breakdown, of what the cost to you has been to privately educate a DC in London? Including extracurricular, tutoring, school trips, school run, any special needs they have had, counselling therapy, pocket money, unexpected things that have happened along the way, or anything I have not considered here.

I'd be very grateful for your advice.

Thank you

[ceesadu18]

Would you consider state education if you had a third child and the costs weren't manageable? If not state comp, then selective grammar schools?

There is a great variation in the cost of private schooling. One I've looked into at the lower end of the scale is 5.5k per term for 11+. And that doesn't include any extra curricular costs.

[Yvest]

Nowhere near Knightsbridge I’m afraid, if only. Generally speaking though, co-Ed and boys day schools in London are circa £6500 a term at senior. It’s a fortune even if you’re on a very high salary

[pigshavecurlytails]

Yes that's true, have only been paying for a girl at the moment, boy about to start and got a nasty shock looking at the fees!

[CloudPop]

I have 2 in private schools, years 6 and 8. It's about £50k per year. Eye watering. And goes up each year well above inflation. It had better be worth it ...

[FlibFlabFlob]

Just never look at Boarding senior schools OP. £30-40k a year per child for those!

[CruCru]

www.londonpreprep.com/2015/06/what-you-need-to-know-before-you-accept-a-private-school-place/

www.londonpreprep.com/2014/07/private-school-cost/

The above were written a few years ago but I think they are still relevant.

[Ericaequites]

Don't have a third child. I'm a third child, and feel it introduces unnecessary complications. With two children life is simple, and each parent can have a favorite.

[SouthLondonDaddy]

Many private schools have the nice tendency to increase fees way above inflation year after year; after all, once you're in, will you really move little Johnny to a state school for a mere, say, 5% increase in fees? But increases do compound, and a 5% increase every year means an almost 28% increase after 5 years.

Also, circumstances may change. You may afford the fees now, but are you sure you'll be able to afford them in 10-15 years, too? What if your situation changes? I have seen a fair share of high-flying professionals being made redundant in their 40s, and having to settle for alternative careers that paid much less.