School fee increases

[howdydude]

For those of you at private schools, how much are fees rising by in September as a %? Ours are 7%!!

Private secondary, about 15 %

Last year it was 10%.

TPS increases, inflation, utility bills, unfortunately

9% + VAT soon I imagine

Gosh that's so much. I thought 7% was bad

We assumed a 5% rise each year before we started, but that was when general inflation had been low a long time.

With a freeze one of the years owing to covid, for DS1, we might come out at something like that over the 7 years.

What figure were you expecting OP?

We had expected rises in line with inflation. So around 3/4%

6%

9.5% This is the highest we’ve had in the ten years I’ve had DC at the school. It’s never been more than 5% in previous years.

Gosh. Anything over 5% I feel is really unreasonable. Especially with a potential 20% rise soon for VAT. It's just not sustainable for people anymore. I am going to be applying for state school places for my children next year.

What was your rise last year? As you mention 'children' I assume this isn't your first year (though you may have twins).

Some schools had low rises last year and have to make up for it this year. Also I’m fairly certain costs have gone up more than 7% in the last financial year and are closer to 10%. From what I’ve heard: departments are cutting budgets even though fees are going up to avoid them going up in line with costs.

The latest annual census from the ISC shows average fees for private day schools rose by 8% for the 2023-24 academic year compared with the year before.
The report said the increase was similar to Government figures of inflation at the time schools made fee decisions for the coming year.

from: https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/national/24326177.average-private-school-fees-soar-18-000-year/

Anything over 5% I feel is really unreasonable.

parents were lucky in 2022 that fee rise announcements were made before trussonomics which effed up utility bills, interest on any loans etc for nearly 12 months before schools could put up fees again

I do not love my fee increases but I also do not think the kids’ school is profiteering.

This is also important. For private schools, staff make up most of the costs and the TPS (pension scheme) is ticking up considerably this year.

The employer contribution rate will increase from 23.68% to 28.68% from 1 April 2024.

I thought loads of schools had opted out of TPS?

According ton the Independent (reporting on ISC figures) the average increase last year was 8%, which was in line with inflation at the time. There has been a decline in new students, and 6% of students are now in fee paying schools, down from 7%.
You can't base increase on fees on inflation. Teachers salary increase might be better guide.

Some, don’t know the percentage.

Those that have will probably have agreed to make sizeable contributions to a private scheme though, at least for a transition period

Hello, Google.

https://www.pensionsage.com/pa/Private-schools-continue-to-leave-TPS-in-anticipation-of-contribution-rise.php

10% drop if labour get in! Due to the school having a massive building programme that they can claim the VAT back on if they have to get registered.
We have had some large fee increases in the last few years though.

10% drop if labour get in! Due to the school having a massive building programme that they can claim the VAT back on if they have to get registered.

Has your school stated this?!

Last year was 7% which was in line with inflation.

Wow!!!!

True. I guess it's tough as I haven't had a pay rise in the last 5 years

Our school sets fees late March or early April as it is a change requiring a term of notice.

march 2023 - cpi 10.1%
april 2023 - cpi 8.7%
May 2023 - cpi 8.7%

so I would say the 7% for you last year was
below inflation.