If you work at a private school, what is the fee reduction for your children?

[Feeeqq]

A job has come up at a private school in London that I’d like to send one of my children to.

I love my current job - and the pay for this job isn’t amazing. But am wondering… maybe would be worth it if the school fee discount was generous enough?

It doesn’t say anywhere what the fee reduction for staff children would be.

Is there a general % reduction that London private schools tend to give? This school is a fairly big one.

Sorry this maybe a useless reply as you are asking about London, but in Hampshire it's 30% for a teaching assistant role in my school.

At the school I work at it’s 50%. I have girls and I work in a boys school so couldn’t take that offer up 😂 there are a few staff with boys there, past and present.

At my school teachers get a 50% rebate and support staff none at all. So check carefully!

Depends on how much they want you in my experience. More for teachers in subjects they want, less for assistants unless you’re famous or can benefit the school in other ways.

International overseas:

I 100% fee remission
2 50%
Subsequent kids 25%

I negotiated, & got, 3 dc at 100% a couple of years in. I had by this point established myself a bit.

Not London but ours is 1/3 off fees for all staff teaching and support. Pro rata’d for PT. Not that I can afford it even with the discount 😂

I think you’d be mad to leave a job you love for an unknown discount off school fees unless you’re very clear on the school definitely being an excellent fit for your child.

I've worked at two, the first school was 50%, the second was 30%. Interestingly the 30% discount was the much posher, financially better off, boarding school.

Are you sure they would take your child?

As others have said, it will vary widely. From the percentage to who is eligible. I know one London school which has a 66% discount for all staff, no matter what their role.

Interesting that some discounts are pro-rata as this job is PT. So maybe not worth it!

The school seems like a good fit for my child, but it wouldn’t be worth leaving my current job (I do really love it) unless it did offer a staff discount. Not that I’d necessarily get the job anyway!

I’m not - but my child is currently on the waiting list! It’s not an academically selective school though.

They can vary wildly - anything between 20 and 75% in my experience. Also some differentiate between support and teaching staff, and some will pro rata for part timers. You do need to love the job if you take it though, as you'll be chained to the school by the discount - you're unlikely to pull your kids out if they're really happy but you're miserable in your job!

There is no general rule. You will have to ask. Could be anywhere from 20-80%. All the schools I know will pro rata for part time workers. Some only offer discounts for teachers, others for all staff members.

Honestly I agree with the PP who said you'd be mad to give up a job you liked based on so many what ifs.

Just because it’s not academically selective, they still might not take your child if they have reached peak numbers.

At my school it's pro rata for part time and the Dc have to pass the very selective exam like anyone else. They offered me 30% off for dc1 and I never really understood how that was calculated as I am hourly paid

At our school it’s 50% off BUT the discount is likely to be reduced or even removed as a perk to new staff joining the school if (when) VAT starts to be payable on fees.

The reduction remains as it is currently for existing staff members.

I wouldn’t bank on any discount at all as a result, unless it is highly oversubscribed.

The school I work at give no discount for the children of TAs (which is what I am). The teachers get varying amounts, anything from 25% to 50%.