GCSEs at an independent school

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamondAndPearl]

Can anyone advise how much it will be for a student at an independent school to sit GCSEs please? My DD is on a full bursary so I'm just trying to plan ahead. Other than the actual exam cost, are there any extras?

If she's on a full bursary it will be covered. Also most decent independent schools factor it into the fees so it wouldn't be extra.
The school should have told you in any case.

Check with the school. My dc are at an independent and there is no charge. Must be included within the fees.

Mine were at different schools. One charged and one included it in the fees.

Ahh ok, I thought it was standard that everyone at independent schools paid. I know ours aren't included with the fees so I'll check with school. I was just wondering if there was a set amount per subject, just to give me a ballpark figure.

Parents definitely pay for public exams at independent schools because they aren't state-funded. I thought most schools charged them separately because there's a bit of difference depending which tier each child is doing for each subject and because they won't all do the same subjects (some are slightly different cost) and the same number.

As PPs have said though, they may cover it if you're on a full bursary.

Included in the fees at ours. Music, dance, drama exam fees were extra. Most schools I know or have used have not charged. Cheap fees tend to have more extra charges though. Does the bursary agreement not say what’s included in the bursary?

PresentingPercy it started out as a full fees bursary but has morphed into full fees, school lunches and school transport as my situation changed.

I'm happy to pay for the exams, I seem to think they're around £50 per subject but I'm unsure as to how true that is plus Google isn't really helping as there are so many variables!

A couple of years ago we paid £45-60 per gcse subject and £115ish per A level.

At our school they are inc in the fees. At a school where they are charged separately, I’d expect the bursary to cover them.

Most schools charge extra for exam entry. LIZ's figures look right.

I'd ask if you'll be expected to pay...sounds to me like with the support you have in other areas you won't be expected to.

Another thing is that parents are often surprised they are an extra. Until they have a child in Yr11 they haven't ever really thought about it and are surprised when a pretty hefty extra is added, just at the point where the students go off on study leave and don't have a full term in school. Lots of moaning amongst parents typically at that point!

Maybe it’s a day school thing then. Mine boarded and we looked at quite a few schools! Again for 6th form. I looked at all fees and extras. None charged for exams.

@ShineOnYouCrazyDiamondAndPearl , I think a budget of about £450 for GCSEs is about right.

Thank you for the replies, I am just sorting out my budget for the next year so will start putting a little money away each month - got a couple of years yet before Y11. If I don't have to pay them I'll put any monies saved into DDs uni fund.

Again, thanksfor the input - I'm on the app so can't figure out how to tag people!

Why don't you just ask...they will be happy to tell you what your position will be. It's always better to just know.

Each of the boards display a fees list on their website. You just need to work out which GCSES and which boards applies to your DC.
I believe fees are a little cheaper than usual this year as pupils are not sitting the exams.

No charge at the school where I work.

I would definitely ask the school (a) whether their fees are paid for under the terms of the bursary especially if your circumstances have changed since they joined and indeed further awards have been given for other items and (b) they will be able to tell you what the fees are as they differ from board to board and many schools take a mixture of boards.

Usually there is a bursary “contract” that details what you get included or not included. I’m surprised if there isn’t one. It should say if it’s just fees. Or indeed covers extras. In your case exam fees. Did you not have a contract/agreement?

@PresentingPercy I actually forgot about that Thanks for the reminder, I’ll see if I can dig it out tomorrow. I don’t remember it being a contract as such though, more just a letter detailing the award (it’s a small school). I guess it won’t hurt to check the letter before contacting school though.

Most schools usually have “rules” about bursaries. It is a form of contract because they can be taken away in many schools. If the letter doesn’t say what’s covered, then I would email the bursar. It is perfectly reasonable to ask if it’s not clear.