Prep school hidden costs.

[ComingtoEngland100]

Hi All,

Can someone advise on hidden costs for private primary school?

I understand if I accept a place I have to pay a big deposit that I don't get back until they leave? Some websites don't even mention this.

Do term fees always cover lunch and non-residential trips, or do some school charge separate?

I'm also confused with after school clubs, some seem to charge for activities , some don't .

Can I always pay monthly during the term for a terms fees, or will school insist terms payment upfront for the term?

Lastly coaches, some preps seem to have them, others not, is there age restriction on these? I can't imagine my DC in Reception on a 20 minute coach without falling asleep and being hard to wake up.

Any help would be appreciated!

I went to private primary school many decades ago, I can't answer to what was included in the price my parents paid but I wanted to agree with a point an earlier poster made - birthday parties. And these were for primary aged kids.

I remember being taken on a full blown whole class coach tour of the London Christmas Lights and a show, hiring out whole ice skating rinks, private hire of Windsor Safari Park. My parents, who were fairly normal, struggled to keep up. There was definite competition to see who could host the most extravagant one.

I understand that nang trips are voluntary. Not just ski ones. However lots of people don’t like to say “no” to every trip and would like to have some idea of cost before they sign up. £400 will be the lower end of trip costs. Some sports trips are ££££. You don’t have to go big ic the rest of the team is……..

Ugh!! Typos. You won’t find it easy to say no if the rest of the team is going. Notice of costs after starting at the school isn’t much help when deciding on schools.

Do you speak from experience @TizerorFizz
Or imagining this to be the case

Over my children’s entire school time at a very well known prep school in SE….
One residential (the France trip I mentioned) in year 7
And an annual ski trip (which is exorbitant but not even a whiff of pressure to accept)

My DDs went to boarding school so I know all about costs! One went to a prep. Both included a lot but sports team trips were a lot of money. It’s very difficult if you cannot afford that.

I’m not talking about a ski trip. I’m talking about senior hockey team tours. In addition history, geography and art had trips and of course you didn’t have to go but most did. It feels a bit miserable if you cannot afford it. It’s still best to get a heads up in possible costs.

Oh I’m nervous about secondary school now! As not considered geography / history /!sports tours etc residential, obviously none of these at prep.

I’m going to email my son’s next school now to get an idea of costs to expect… thank you!

It’s always best to be prepared. Schools might not have exact details but they might know what trips they routinely run and costs. If they are a sporty school they might do these massively expensive tours. I know they are “voluntary” but if you are top run scorer for the cricket team, it can be difficult not to go. Of course your school might do very little but knowing well in advance can be helpful. I asked. No problem at all to ask.

It all depends on your school. Some keep a deposit, some don't, some charge separately for lunch, some don't, some have a vis (which you pay for), some don't and there will be limited capacity.
Some clubs are included - probably most in primary, but there may be a cost for uniform (Rainbows, Brownies, scouts for example). Trips - generally included unless overnight.
Uniform is by far the biggest added cost, ours was £400 per child if bought new.