Eton Extras?

[FleurForesight]

DS has a place at Eton for 2015, which we're thrilled about. We are currently trying to work out how to pay for it, though, and are wondering how much we might need to include in our calculations for extras (trips, uniform etc)?

The extras vary at our children's current schools; one school has far more expensive extras than the other. If you include optional foreign trips (which we don't), you could probably double the fees...

We are more than happy to buy second-hand uniform (or second-hand anything at all), but don't even know if there's any kind of second-hand shop at Eton.

Could anyone please let us know how much (approximately) we might be looking at?

[Falc]

Surprised no one has mentioned that Eton has an amazing bursaries system. I bet they help with extras as well - they'd have to with people coming from all walks of life. If it's a struggle it would be well worth asking. You probably need £2k per year above the fees all in.

Shame about all the haters. People need to realise that the word 'eton' is journalistic shorthand for elitist privilege and is not the same thing at all as the actual school itself. Think of them as two separate entities. From what I've seen it's a great place.

[FinneyBoy]

Anyone know when Eton decisions are made for 2019 entry?
Expect sometime this month.

[Margocat]

Yes Peteneras, appreciate your point. I suppose I felt that that comment, whilst not directed at the OP, felt inappropriate on a thread where the main thrust was being concerned about budgeting for unexpected costs.

Thank you for your good wishes re schools, I have no idea what the right decision will be when it comes, thankfully my two are only 4 and 6 and at a lovely state primary at the moment, so plenty of time to worry about it (and be nosey on mumsnet!).

[peteneras]

I'm sure you know I meant direct and 'instant' response. . .

[peteneras]

Common courtesy does not only apply in a court of law, Margocat; when you make a mistake you apologise, not least in a well respected site like this one or even in a fish market for that matter.

My comment about cash flow (or the lack of it) and state schools was a direct and instance response to an equally sarcastic comment made by another poster about me giving a 5-figure limit credit card to my DS. It had nothing to do with the OP whatsoever. If anything, the OP was appreciative and thankful about all my comments including things I mentioned about Induction Day, heart-stopping dreaded school bills, etc. until of course, detractors came along to spoil this thread for her.

”Thanks for all the useful info here, including info about things I hadn't even thought of. I had no idea about the existence of an Induction Day, for instance. . .”

”Peteneras, my heart sinks thrice annually as it is. I always hope that the fee bills will evaporate if we ignore them, but they don't. . .”

Anyway, I wish you well too and hope you’ve got the right school(s) for your kids when the time comes.

[Margocat]

Peteneras, this isn't a court of law where evidence needs to be presented. Suffice to say that I think your attitude on this thread, which was started by the OP because she was concerned about budgeting for the expenses of school for her DS, was disrespectful. Your comment "If cash flow is an issue, there are free alternatives called 'State Schools'. So what's the problem?" was insensitive at best.

My 'curiosity' which led me here in the first place is tempting me to ask questions about whether you attended Eton yourself etc, but I'll resist!

I'm sure our paths are unlikely to cross again on Mumsnet so I wish you well! :-)

[peteneras]

But you do not feel the need to apologise for making a false accusation and being unable to provide any evidence, Margocat?

[Margocat]

Thanks Summer and Happy Gardening, I'm sure you are quite right.

Peteneras, why would I need to save my own skin exactly?

I felt the need to explain my presence on the board as I have no useful experience / insight to offer the OP. I did feel sufficiently experienced to have an opinion on your attitude.

Not to worry, have fun posting

[happygardening]

Your right peteneras life is too hard to take everything anyone says on here too seriously.
You seem very good at linking other websites in perhaps you could explain in simple terms to a computer illiterate like myself how to do it?

[peteneras]

And what a brilliant idea, happygardening! Never take peteneras too seriously. Life’s hard enough getting by from one day to the next. What with that dreaded school bill looming once again for the new summer term eh, summerends? As you can see, there’s no irresponsible or extravagant spendings on the part of DS. All very sane and real and therefore, no restrictions or sanctions.

Note to OP: These are typical bills one could expect going to Eton and they are more than three years old! Granted that one could be more frugal but that rather destroys the purpose of going to Eton in my opinion.

[peteneras]

Mumsnet is most certainly open to all for perusal and comment, Margocat, that’s why I’m here. But for some reason, you seem to be making an apology for “straying into this section of mumsnet out of curiosity rather than genuine relevance”. I say, if you want to comment, just go ahead and post your comments, no need for any niceties or preludes.

And what an opening comment! You barge in here and charge me for being offensive. Pray, tell me, in what way was I being offensive? Sarcastic, yes maybe, but that's only in reply to sarcastic comments made by other posters. But before you jump into any conclusions, just go back and read again all that I've posted.

Even now you accuse me of ”an enormous lack of insight and respect for others”. Again, please don’t write any more nonsense here without showing me the evidence that I showed disrespect for many people posting on this thread including the OP. I grant you that I can be rude to people who are rude to me but I am almost always never the one to start first.

Oh btw I think to make a false accusation against someone just to save your own skin (i.e. me displaying enormous lack of insight and respect for others including the OP) is a bigger ’sin’ than me actually having done that, if at all, to the said people.

And quite as an aside, may I suggest to you that you shouldn’t discount Eton as one of the options for your family. Why would you want to do that - unless of course, you have only daughters?

[summerends]

Magicat, Happygardening is absolutely right. I like to give him the benefit of the doubt that his comments are for humour and caricature but that last comment from him does not fit that category.

[happygardening]

Margiocat the best thing to do and from my experience is to try ignore or laugh at most of what peteneras writes otherwise you'll get yourself very would up.

[Margocat]

Peteneras, I'm a little uncertain as to exactly what you mean by your comment.

Mumsnet is (obviously) an open forum with boards open to all for perusal and comment. As it happens I am starting to wrangle with the state v private decision with regard to my own children in the future, hence coming over to this board. Eton will not be one of the options for our family but that didn't stop me reading this thread.

I post very rarely on mumsnet, and have never posted to express my irritation before, but I thought you displayed such an enormous lack of insight and respect for others (in this instance many of the people posting on this thread including the OP) that I considered it worthy of comment.

I don't believe that I'm particularly lacking in life experience or that I dwell too firmly within my own comfort zone, but I'm sure you'll correct me.

OP, good luck and congratulations to your DS.

[pombearsforbrunch]

I just hope the OP isn't too put off - I promise there are lots of lovely parents there in exactly the same position as you. Obviously there are some exceptions, but as you're not rich, they'll probably avoid you. This is not a bad thing!

[peteneras]

”I've strayed into this section of mumsnet out of curiosity rather than genuine relevance to me.”

Out of being nosey, you mean?

You seem to have lived your life too much cocooned in your own little comfort zone that even the basic fact that if you cannot afford something then try something else cheaper or even free can upset and offend you. Well, talking about living in the real world . . .

[Margocat]

Oops. ....... a sense of irony in future!

[Margocat]

Apologies Summer, no my comments apply really just to one poster. Will try to read them with a sense of ir

[summerends]

Margocat hopefully you are not applying this to all us posters. The comments of one in particular are definitely not to be taken seriously but as a rather extreme caricature.

[Margocat]

What an offensive thread this has become. I've strayed into this section of mumsnet out of curiosity rather than genuine relevance to me. It's eye opening!

[pombearsforbrunch]

Classy!
I'd thought your posts were tongue-in-cheek!

[peteneras]

If cash flow is an issue, there are free alternatives called 'State Schools'. So what's the problem?

[pombearsforbrunch]

Genius solution - you're stressed about cash flow, so I'll second the suggestion of giving your child a 5-figure limit platinum credit card. Oh wait....

[peteneras]

Thank you, summerends. And a very Happy Easter to you too. Just keep on smiling!