Private school fees

[londonloves]

How much do fees increase year on year, roughly?
I'm trying to work out lifetime cost of private education based on this year's fees but I feel like I need to factor something in for yearly increases. Obviously I know we can't predict inflation/economic factors... but just a rough cut at how much increase is expected.
Can anyone offer a view?
Thanks

5% year on year increase I think

They often seem to increase by more than inflation. Plus they can get higher in later years of school (eg secondary costs more than primary and sixth form is higher again).

Working out the lifetime cost is one sure way to give yourself a coronary.

Also the extra “stuff” costs more as they get older. This applies to both sectors, of course, but there are likely to be more parents who can easily afford the trips and things at private schools, so you’re more likely to stand out if you can’t.

Ours have increased as they've got older. They've gone up this year, actual price increase, by 300 pounds a term.

Factor in at least around 500 pounds a term for extra's, trips and uniform etc.

We started paying into an account when Dc was born so had quite a bit accumulated prior to starting the huge financial commitment.

When dd started Reception it was less than 5k per year, her final y13 term bill was over £7k! the increases are stepped over time plus above inflation annual increases (not only due to headline inflation but increases in staff costs due to ni and pension changes).

Ds is just about to finish Yr 13. He went to a state primary. In the 7 years he was at the private school plus the 2 years we were 'watching' fee increases (so 9 yrs total), there were 3 years with no fee increase at all, a couple at 1% and a couple at 3%. I think the biggest was a 5% increase the year before he started.

So I wouldn't say 5% is a hard and fast rule. Also, sixth form was the same price as years 7-11 but I know that can vary.

The trip thing is also misleading potentially. Compulsory trips such as a yr 7 team building weekend were like £150, theatre or museums £20-30. Big trips like skiing priced the same or cheaper than the state schools I work in and certainly not everyone goes. He did one European art trip at about £450.

Lunch was included at ds's school, and he doesn't play an instrument so our extras bill was basically zero.

Just to say, what's included can vary massively, so ds's school included all lunches, paper, books etc etc but not exam fees. Others might be the opposite.

Mine are just about to finish. Over the nine years (to get two children through secondary) the fees have gone up 20%

Dd currently in her final term (upper sixth.)
Her fees go up by around 4% each year.
She boards and the extras quickly mount up.
Her school has a very generous bursary programme so we do get some help towards her fees otherwise it would be very difficult to afford.

Also meant to add, for school trips they subsidise the cost further for pupils who are in receipt of the bursary so skiing, diving trips etc are much more affordable.

It steps up a lot at secondary too, and extras can be horrific! Whatever they are quoting for each year group add 5% increase per year, and assume 10-15% of "extras" per year on average eg uniform, daytrips etc assuming lunch is included/packed lunch (otherwise factor more). On top expect to be pleaded with for very expensive longer trips (why is skiing in Canada???)

We only did it for 6th form almost by account but I regret not sacrificing more to do it from 14 for both

Thanks everyone. The prep we are looking at has different costs for nursery, pre prep and prep, then the secondary school that feeds from this prep has fixed cost year 7-13 but yes we are thinking about extras, lunches, trips etc. too. Yes a terrifying amount of money but we need to do the maths to work out if it's feasible for two, or if we should stick to an only...

It depends a bit which area you're in but I think the extras for prep tend to be less than in secondary. There are quite a few in DC's school who are paying private for prep but can't afford to continue into secondary so not everyone is super rich and school trips (apart from residentials are included).

There would be some extras for instrument lessons, swimming and after school clubs at the prep we are looking at. Plus trips. And lunch is extra. And uniform...

The uniform and sports kit lists I have seen on here for secondary run into thousands.

We have a fab used uniform shop which everyone uses.

Saves an absolute fortune

It's been variable , 2-5% so far per year.We are on,y at primary level, but haven't experienced the hideous extras yet.

Music lessons are costly but you would pay for those anywhere.

Reviewing our bills- we have had on average in addition to fees+ music lessons:
£40 trips yearly ( most trips free unless entry fee at destination)
£140/yr for judo lessons (optional club)
£12/wk for afterschool club/prep until 6pm one day a week
All other clubs done so far no extra charge.

Uniform bought mainly second hand or m&s, few new items approx £50/yr depending on feet growth rate!

No idea how this compares to elsewhere really.

Yes that is a good point re music lessons as we would pay it separately outside school if we went for state school anyway.

2 kids through private school aged 3-18 in London = £500k basically 😩😩😩

You can get an awful lot of music lessons for a year’s worth of school fees.....

5-10% per year plus often a leap at key points e.g. entering Y3, 7 and 12. You should basically assume that they will double between reception and upper sixth and you won't be far off.

Ours never went up even a tiny % compared with increases in pay - in other words pay increases were more than the fee increases. The same does not apply for those in jobs where your pay always remains the same however.

I’ve allowed 5% a year on a baseline that includes trips, music lessons and extras. I’m on course by accident as my son has gone on more trips than I bargained for but increases were “just” 3% in some years. I wish my kids’ schools were not caught up quite so much in a facilities arms race. Just praying I don’t have to find the VAT next......

2 kids through private school aged 3-18 in London = £500k basically

Probably more than that

£15-20k per year now so likely £30-40k by the time they get to sixth form (if in early primary now) x 14 years each.......

Ooh, we costed it in north London at more like 600k.

We then left London