The Hall School Hampstead - what is the total fees (school fees+extras) per year?

[camtranquil]

Hi everyone,

My DS has got an offer of a place at The Hall (fabulous news!). As we only earn better-than average income, from affordability perspective, I'd like to find out the approximate total cost per year for sending DS to this school.
I see the current fee is around £5800 per term (reception and year 1 are slightly cheaper). How about extras, like music tuition or trips etc? Could any mums with DS in the school let me know the approximate total cost per year? I appreciate that the fees will vary based on school years and the clubs you choose etc, but generally could anyone give me a clue please?

Another concern I have is I heard most students come from extremely wealthy families. Will my DS be looked down if he can't afford the same luxuries that his classmates do, e.g. a few thousands £ of birthday party? I heard rumours about some posh schools in the area that students are mocked because of living in a flat (versus house/mansion) around Hampstead, or not living around Hampstead. Is this true? If this is the case, I would rather not send DS there.

Any response would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I am from an "average" North London middle class type professional background and went to a nearby prep school a good few years ago now followed by an outstanding independent secondary school. I can honestly say the teaching and the education were outstanding at the prep school and I didn't have to learn anything new in my first 3 years of secondary school. However the pressure was immense - I have memories of getting in at about 5pm sitting down to 2 hours or more of homework - then being made to redo it as the work I handed in had some tear stains.

Whilst there were some children from similar backgrounds, they weren't the ones I ended up being friends with and I felt the differences. My family holidays to Europe never matched up to the exotic trips my friends took, my clothes, toys and home seemed lacking in comparison.

Birthday parties were a real eye opener - think taking the entire class to a trip to a musical - sitting in the stalls - each child got a programme, to meet the cast then a meal at the ivy! After one of my parties at our large (imo) family home, my friend thanked our au pair who she thought was our maid, for lending us her home for the party!

However, the manners, connections and people you meet are invaluable

I think you need to weigh up the decision v carefully and your son will need to be pretty robust to enjoy it. My brother had similar schooling to me and hated it with a vengeance.

Sorry - didn't logged into my account for a while.

Thank you all for your replies.

Platey I'm so glad you replied. Finally a reply from people who have children in TH. The information you gave made me feel a lot more comfortable. Thank you!

Thinkfast - did you go to TH? Your post is exactly what I'm worried about. Will pm you if you don't mind. Thank you.

Just Dance
One of DDs's friends went to the Hall. She didnt' live in Hampstead, but they are very well off. She went somewhere else for secondary

No she didn't hun - not unless she was 'identifying as a male' - The Hall is a boys school.

ZOMBIE thread :(