Extras at independent schools

[froomeonthebroom]

Following my post a couple of weeks ago about my DS possibly transferring from state to private in Y9, we have been to a couple of open days and it looks like we will go ahead with the plan.

We are applying for a bursary to cover fees but I'm hoping someone will be able to give me an idea of other things we will need to pay for. Obviously there will be uniform and travel, but are any other 'hidden' costs?

Thanks

Uniform, which at DD’s school isn’t very expensive
Lunches
School trips (not compulsory)
Stationary
DD has a 25% scholarship and the extras as very reasonable

I got an exhibition to my school, (don't know if they exist now, kind of a minor scholarship thing). My ma who was the earner for the school fees complained that it only covered the extrras!
So yep, do ask them what sort of thing they mean by extras, they ought to give you a breakdown. Pocket money was a big one for me! Or get alongside a parent of a year above and ask them. Best of luck!

Usually uniform, lunches, trips (not all compulsory and may be a reduction in line with the % of the bursary). Some school clubs are paid for too. All schools differ so you'll need to ask.

You definitely need to ask - and even when your child is at the school you need to continue asking. Ds had a bursary at his prep school and no mention was made of any assistance with uniform and we didn't ask so we bought it. A couple of years later he entered the upper school and I asked the bursar who was not very forthcoming so we went to buy his new uniform expecting to have to pay. At the desk they asked if his name was on a list and then deducted £240 from the bill. That original bursar had left a couple of weeks earlier under a shadow! Since then we have been informed every summer of how much uniform allowance he has for the year and when we couldn't afford for him to go training in Switzerland they let us only pay less than a third - again we had to ask!!