Unexpected extras at private schools

[starfish4]

Has anyone had any unexpected extras at private schools? Also, does anyone have any idea how much extras come to on average? Just trying to get others experiences.

DD has the opportunity to go to a private school on a bursary and we can manage the balance, but won't to make sure we don't get any shocks.

At DS2's full boarding school we paid for every text book, piece of paper, pen, art material and biggest bill of all public exams. We also paid for suits to be dry cleaned, the matron sold tooth paste shower gel etc. I don't think we paid for extra curricular activities apart from membership to professional organisation but we did pay for transport to matches etc but it was remarkably cheap, we obviously just paid the cost price of the petrol. We also paid into the Bupa private health insurance scheme. Over the five years it averaged £500-600 a term, occasionally a bit more the highest bills being when we paid for public exams.
My DS did a trip abroad every year, these were remarkably cheap, we usually paid around £600 for a week sometimes significantly less, this always included breakfast and dinner usually in a restaurant and entrance costs into museums etc, one refunded all parents £80 as there was money left over. Most letters about trip mentioned keeping the cost as low as possible. Frankly there were times when the itinerary was so full I assumed the school was heavily subsidising these trips but apparently not. I know I couldn't have organised it for less, ditto day trips into London to exhibitions etc many included a meal in a good restaurant and a trip to the theatre. On only one occasion were we sent a letter about a trip costing £3000 but it was for three weeks and the boys were expected to raise the money themselves (my DS didn't go so I don't know if they did or if parents ultimately stumped up the money). Just to add DS's school has one of the highest school fees in the UK and lots of exceedingly wealthy parents.
Do ask the bursar he won't mind.

I'm a teacher at a private school and our two children attend on greatly reduced fees, however, we have to pay for all of the extras. These are:

• an annual allowance for school trips (I have no idea where this goes)
• all individual school trips (cost of bus plus entrance to the museum or wherever they're visiting)
• one-off workshops by external drama / music / sport specialists
• books (textbooks)
• iPad
• Mathematical calcuator
• usual pencil case stuff
• lunches (compulsory)
• uniform (polos, jumpers, tracksuits, sports' t-shirt and shorts, swimsuits, swimming hats, book bags, blazer, ties, skirt all have to be the official school ones which are ludicrously expensive and of varying quality, but I buy any the non-branded stuff like shirt, socks and trousers from supermarkets or department stores)

There would also be the cost of the school's buses, if the children took them (they cycle to school or catch a public bus), and individual music lessons or sports' clubs but we do that outside of school which seems to be cheaper at the moment (also helps them make a wider circle of friends).

There are frequent charity events which require donations of money and often something like a cake as well, plus the costumes for school plays and dress-up days which can add up especially if you have more than one child.

When you're facing a big expense over many years, it's daft to not gather as much info as poss about all kinds of things.

Definitely build up a bug list of Qs, financial,macademic and otherwise....they will be used to it and won't bat an eyelid.

Fwiw, we have lunches included and also basic day trips, but pay extra for residentials and any chargeable extra curricular - music, drama are the obvious ones. With Boarding I guess there is more scope for extras.

DC school; we pay for trips (but many students don't go for the expensive/ trips abroad ones.
Uniform, but I buy mostly from sec hand shop.
Music lessons and lunch extras.