What Does It Cost?

The cost of independent education is a major factor in the decision making process. For many parents, meeting the cost from current income is not easy and difficult decisions have to be made in terms of family priorities. For some families sacrifices are made on the basis that a good all-round education is one of the most important assets a young person can have in life. Many families have joint incomes and can lay aside funds for when their children reach school age.

Fees vary widely: they depend on whether they are for older or younger children, day or boarding (there are wide variations within these categories as well as between them), and sometimes on different parts of the country. Fees for day pupils in schools which also take boarders are usually higher than day fees in schools which only take day pupils. This is because they tend to employ more staff, with lower pupil:teacher ratios, and also have a longer school day and a longer week.

The figures below are averages: some schools will be lower or higher. Remember fees increase annually; the average rise in 2006/07 was 5.9%.

TYPE OF SCHOOL	AVERAGE FEES PER TERM
Nursery (0-5)	£1,607
Junior/prep (5-11)
Day pupils at day schools	£2,640
Day pupils at boarding schools	£3,231
Boarders	£4,343
Senior (11-16)
Day pupils at day schools	£2,963
Day pupils at boarding schools	£4,038
Boarders	£6,678
Sixth Form (16-18)
Day pupils at day schools	£3,002
Day pupils at boarding schools	£4,443
Boarders	£7,177

Schools require parents to give a full term's notice if they intend to withdraw their child; otherwise another term's fees are payable. Ask when fees are increased and whether the school knows what its fees will be for the next year (they should be decided in March for the following September).

There are usually extras on top. At some schools these are very small; at others they add substantially to the bill (perhaps another ten per cent), depending largely on activities in which your child chooses to take part. They should be borne in mind when you consider what you can afford.

Basic fees are quoted on this website. Lunches are included in these in some schools, in others they are extra: please check with individual schools. Some schools ask parents to pay for extras such as medical supplies, telephone calls and school trips. Find out if you will have to pay extra for school books and entries for public examinations. How much will you have to pay for individual lessons in music, ballet or sport?

School uniforms can be a substantial cost, particularly if items have to be bought new from the school's recommended suppliers. But many schools have second-hand shops selling uniforms and other clothing where you can make worthwhile savings on items which children quickly grow out of; find out what essential items are not stocked.

Paying fees can be eased by long term planning and by help from the schools themselves. Many schools have scholarships, in recognition of academic ability or other talents, and bursaries based upon financial circumstances. Parents should not hesitate to ask the school for guidance.