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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

What is out there to help me save money on Private school Fees?

23 replies

sillyworry · 18/06/2009 09:50

We did not expect to be in this position but our ds will be going to private school while we appeal with the council.
I am going to have to work more hours to pay for these fees. I would prefer to save as many pennies as possible to reduce those hours by saving money. I'm already turning up in clean but seen better day clothes. Are there any tips you can pass on? {grin]

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

AMumInScotland · 18/06/2009 10:50

You should try to avoid any "extras" which yu can easily drift into when you're working - popping into the coffee shop on the way to work, going out for lunch, ending up in the shops at lunchtime and being tempted to buy things. If you can take in your own supplies of coffee and a packed lunch that will help.

And look at your travel options - a season ticket for the train or bus may improve things, or parking further away if you have to pay for nearby parking.

Certainly avoid buying new clothes for work!

Original poster

sillyworry · 18/06/2009 11:16

Thank you for the tips. I did type out a longer post but my Pc went on the blink. I was hoping for any finance schemes that might help us, some inside knowledge (you know, that MP get from each other)
I wear a uniform for work so as long as I don't change post that's okay. Actual, you have made me think. I was looking for a new post out of uniform. Won't do that now. Public transport is paid for by my job. I can't have packed lunch as I can't carry it around with me. Not allowed to shop in my breaks execpt for lunch. I don't drive except on Mondays to take ds to gymnastic. He be at school in September. I use a trolley to do my chores and shopping except, on Saturdays for the main shop. Going on a diet might help on food bills & I can then get into my old nice clothes!

OP posts:

Singstar · 18/06/2009 11:20

some schools offer bursaries or assisted places where they pay a proportion of the fees - could look into that maybe.

EldonAve · 18/06/2009 11:26

You should find out when the 2nd hand school uniform is sold

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 18/06/2009 11:28

use up food in the fridge/plan meals ahead. I have been forcing myuslef to write down the price of what I throw away - shocking! on trips with kids, keep water/drinks /snacks available so you don't have to buy them out...

AMumInScotland · 18/06/2009 19:52

There are often bursary schemes, but they tend to be given more to existing pupils to tide them over and avoid disruption, rather than to help right from the start, as they don't have huge amounts and may not be happy if they think it will be a permanent problem.

Unfortunately, most of the "school fee finance" schemes I've seen are savings schemes where you are meant to start putting the money aside long before you need it, rather than the other way round.

zanzibarmum · 18/06/2009 20:48

I hear there are schools where you don't actually have to pay... well you do pay in your taxes etc but it's not like dipping into your purse every term. It is also rumoured that some of these free schools are quite good.... worth a try?

trickerg · 18/06/2009 20:59

Errrr..... establishments called state schools.......

trickerg · 18/06/2009 21:01

Sorry, missed OP point a bit. Isn't that a bit disruptive? Are there no other schools in the area?

blithedance · 18/06/2009 21:21

Are you reasonably in control of your monthly budget - you know where the money goes, you don't have any expenisive phone deals or gas/electric that could be shifted to a cheaper supplier? Once you have done that you can budget tightly for day to day expenses.

There is good advice on budgeting on www.moneysavingexpert.com, as well as loads of tips on "thrifty living".

Original poster

sillyworry · 18/06/2009 22:48

blithedance The honest answer, no. I'm going to have to be a lot more deligent about our finances. Thank you for the website will look at it now.
It is unlikely bursaries will apply to us yet.
zanzibarmum Durrr! I know that. The area in which I live was in the national papers for the lack of school places this year. 200 children will have to be in huts in various schools in our borough as they build temporary classes.
The other issue is that if he doesn't go to the school of DH's choice! We will end up being divorced as apparently its all my fault! Please don't ask....I know we need therapy but that's a whole knew thread.... (nothings too good for the working classes that's his stock answer!

OP posts:

Original poster

sillyworry · 18/06/2009 22:50

Thank you everyone. I'm off to bed now to save electricity

OP posts:

MollieO · 18/06/2009 23:32

I would think long and hard before going down the private school route if you are going to struggle to afford it from the start. The fees don't get cheaper the older dcs get and most scholarships/bursaries are only available from 11 onwards. It will also be disruptive to move ds if he is happy there.

When I was looking at schools I thought about sending my ds to private school for his reception year rather than keeping him at nursery (our LEA doesn't do reception year for summer born dcs) and then transferring him to the local state school if we got a place. Fortunately I gave up on that nutty notion for other reasons before ds started in reception and now I really can't imagine moving him.

If your ds is starting in reception then you will get LEA funding until the term after he turns 5. If you or your dh's employers do the salary sacrifice childcare vouchers then a lot of private schools allow you to use these to pay school fees until 5. Makes a difference the first year and may help you put some money aside for future years.

SomeGuy · 18/06/2009 23:41

It sounds like it is a temporary option though.

My sister was withdrawn from a shit comprehensive and sent to a private school for a term until my parents bought a house for us somewhere leafier where we got a place in a decent school. Could my parents afford it? No not really. Did it affect her? No, not in the least, the new school was large and the children were all mixed around in year 2 anyway.

A couple of parents at my son's school withdrew their children as soon as they got a place at the good local state school.

Of course some people do scrimp and save for 15 years to fund the cost, a friend works as a nurse and spends all her money on private schooling. It's achievable with one child.

You can get academic and music bursaries from a very young age, I think year 2 or 3 at my son's school.

EldonAve · 19/06/2009 11:35

Why not just take a state school while you appeal? A lot can change between now and Sept as people move out etc

seeker · 19/06/2009 15:11

It's not just the fees - it's the uniform, the school trips , the extra curricular activities. You can't do all that by just not buying any new clothes.

Why is going into a temporary classroom such a bad idea?

AMumInScotland · 19/06/2009 15:38

What happens if you lose your appeal? I dont know what proportion are successful. If you don't get a place at the only school your DH will accept then what happens next? Will you be able to carry on long-term with the independent school if that happens?

Oh and you will have to give a full term's notice or payment in lieu when you do leave - so if you take a place now, and she leaves a week into the September term, you will still have to pay the fees until Easter.

Oh and I spent 3 of my primary school years in huts - there's nothing terrible about them!

You may be able to tell that I have some doubts about the practicalities here . Do you have any other options? Is she compulsory schoolage in September - if not, she does not legally have to be in fulltime education so you could just keep her out for now. If she is, then you could home educate until things are sorted. Obviously either of those has childcare implications, you'd need to have access to family or a childminder to cover while you were at work.

UnquietDad · 19/06/2009 15:40

I thought the Local Authority had a duty of care to school your children. Even if it is in huts. I spent First Year Juniors in huts!

MadBadandDangerousToKnow · 19/06/2009 15:52

UQD - Is it spelt out anywhere as a statutory duty? I doubt it. There are plenty of local authorities - such as my own - which would be incapable of fulfilling any such duty because the number of school places they provide is smaller than the number of children living in the borough.

UnquietDad · 19/06/2009 16:35

I thought it was. maybe I'm wrong.

UnquietDad · 19/06/2009 16:42

Thought so - lookee here on CAB website.

MadBadandDangerousToKnow · 19/06/2009 17:11

Thank you, UQD.

whereeverIlaymyhat · 19/06/2009 17:19

I have been given a very generous bursary worth over £6900 a year just by picking up the phone and asking so well worth mentioning you didn't plan for this and may consider staying if the terms and school are attractive enough.

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