Private school fees

[sandwoman]

I'm looking into private school for DS for when he starts secondary. The website says £2747 per term, is this from September to July? a full school year or half a year?

[marmadukescarlet]

I live in SE, DD in Yr 4 basic fees 3.5k per term.

Allow more than 7.5% increase per year, realistically around 10%.

[PoorOldEnid]

3 dds. private education at the local private school from 11 -18 will cost £250,000 at todays prices.

[RandomFlopsy]

We have 2 dc. We have worked out that private education until 18 would cost us about £350,000 at today's prices and that's not including "extras". You have to be realistic about how much it will cost you.

[PoorOldEnid]

that is cheap for a private secondary

"They would be unashamedly academically elitist, with entry at 11 judged not on tests but on academic performance over the previous year, and with no fees, funded entirely through philanthropic donations. "

sounds crap. dd1 wouldnt get in and they'd be full of up themselves middle class parents

[MrsGuyOfGisbourne]

SP - yes you are right, and in fact, him going on the school trip has saved me the considerable amount more that I would have to pay to take him myself . And have aslo discovered that cheapo 'boil in the bag' mouthgurad from any sports shop is just as good.

[SqueakyPop]

Presumably the ski trip is optional, and the mouthguard a requirement for any hockey/rugby playing school. You can't blame all the expenses on going private.

[MrsGuyOfGisbourne]

Yes don't forget the extras... 2 weeks into the term we are already down £40 for a rugby mouthgueard, £15 for a school trip and £930 for a ski trip... It will have to be ALdi value beans...

[wasabipeanut]

We're already saving and DS is 1.....

[JaneLumley]

Yes, but if you search mumsnet for school fees you'll see there are many who dislike it if you even so much as emit a moan about the cost.

IMHO, you need to budget for your child's entire time at the school. schoolfees have gone up 7.5% per year ON AVERAGE and will probably rise faster with fuel price rises. Don't forget transport costs.

To qualify for a bursary you normally need an income below 40k gross, and no home ownership. scholarships mainly pay v. little - a couple of hundred a year.

Agree about the demise of grammars. But most won't.

[avenanap]

I pay this per term. There are 3 terms. I live on beans on toast and have no friends in real life because I fart too much.

Don't forget the pathetically overpriced school uniform, the trips, music lessons, social events they like you to attend, transport costs to school.

Some schools like you to pay for books and school lunches on top. You'll have to check.

The school may offer a means tested bursary to help you finance this, you should ask.

I wish they hadn't abolished grammar schools. I would have loved to go and get away from the kids that didn't want to learn. It destroyed my education.

[Cosette]

Yes, I'm in Surrey and they're all around £4000 a term here - at senior school level.

[Cammelia]

suefas there are lots of schools outside London that charge double those termly prices

[suefas]

assisted places scheme for independent schools should not have been abolished

[southeastastra]

what about poor, clever children uqd

[suefas]

sorry, stand corrected...... except for London!
Still a far cry from full boarders at some schools paying over £30000 per year. Imagine earnings needed to send 2 children there!

[suefas]

£2747 is just under the average cost for a term's fees at an independent secondary school (for a day pupil, not boarder)
If you're still looking for a school - try www.find-a-school.co.uk

[SqueakyPop]

There are three terms a year, Lola - Michaelmas, Lent and Summer

[SqueakyPop]

It's 2747 x 3

[geekgirl]

whereabouts are you Lola? UK schools have 3 terms per calendar year.

[Lola234]

a term is about twice a year. winter and summer.

[LIZS]

and bear in mind that it may well go up year on year by 5-10% plus increases as the child moves up the school

[Cammelia]

That is extremely cheap for secondary private

[LIZS]

It would be that times 3 for the year. tbh for secondary that is still pretty reasonable. Check the extras though , some may or may not include lunch and books/stationery in fees, plus allow for musical instrument tuition, specialist sports ie sailing, extra curricular activities, after school supervision, trips, uniform ....

[Quattrocento]

UQD

I have a vague memory of schools like that

Weren't they called grammar schools?

We abolished them for being Very Unfair because only clever children could get in.