School Fees

School fees cover tuition in the subjects of the normal school curriculum plus boarding charges and must be paid in full before the start of each term. Boarding charges include accommodation and daily meals (breakfast, lunch, supper). The child's bedding and clothes will be laundered regularly by the school and every school has a resident qualified nurse to provide preliminary medical attention. If further medical attention is required, this is arranged with the local doctor responsible for the school.

All independent schools set their own fees, which are reviewed annually, and any increases implemented at the start of each academic year (from September). However some schools increase fees each January. Fees vary from school to school, as there is no governing body to determine what each school should charge. Generally schools charging higher fees offer better facilities or are more popular so can command higher fees, but this is not always the case. A school may be able to charge lower fees if it has large financial donations from parents, former pupils or other third parties. Some schools charge the same fees for all pupils, whilst others have a scale of fees depending on the age of the child, becoming progressively more expensive the older the child.

However schools also offer additional items and services (most of which are optional) which are charged to the child's account and presented on the end of term school bill.

The secret of paying Independent School fees is to plan early, but even if you haven't, read on. Money invested in insurance policies when your child is a baby will provide tax-free sums. Even as little as five years before your child is due to go to Independent School, there are investments which can help to reduce the financial burden.

Many Private Schools, or groups of Private Schools, operate a scheme known as a composition fee, by which a single sum, paid in advance, helps to reduce the overall cost of future fees.

See: SchoolFees.org

Extras can add considerably to the bill (perhaps another 10%), depending largely on activities in which your child chooses to take part (such as instrumental tuition, Independent School trips), Find out what you may have to pay for books, entries for public examinations, stationery, medical supplies. Uniforms can be a substantial cost. Many Private Schoolshave their own second-hand shops selling uniforms and other clothing which save you money.

Many senior Private Schoolsand a few junior Private Schoolsoffer scholarships to attract bright or talented pupils to the Independent School. They are usually awarded after a competitive examination, for academic, musical or artistic merit. Scholarships vary in value but rarely cover the whole fees.

Many Private Schoolsalso have bursaries - grants from the Independent School - to help you pay the fees. These are often awarded after a 'means test' of family income.

Some Private Schoolsoffer grants to children of clergy, teachers and those in the armed forces. Others give help to children of former pupils, single parent families and orphans or concessions for brothers and sisters. You should contact Private Schoolsto find out the details and how much awards are worth.

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