Home > Finance & school fees
Fees
Most schools quote fees by the term, although an increasing number quote
fees annually. Annual figures can look horrific and a number of boarding
schools are now over £23,000 a year.
Day fees for secondary schools now range from about £2000 to £7000
per term, boarding from £3000+ to over £7500 (and then there may
be extras). Specialist schools (whether they are music schools or schools
for eg the blind) cost much more but don't be put off as there is often financial
help. Fees usually go up each year. The heavily endowed schools still tend
to charge very high fees but pay their staff well, have good facilities and
a lot of scholarships. Schools charging very low fees may be constrained
by low income.
Some schools offer a monthly payment structure and there may be reductions
if you pay the school fees by direct debit. Others accept a capital sum to commute future
fees, the discount offered depending on market conditions and how long in
advance you buy them.
Payment of school fees is, for most people, a heavy financial burden and mistakes
are expensive. Consult ISCis for their list of financial consultants with
expertise in the field.
Assisted places
A number of schools have introduced their own assisted places schemes to
replace the government scheme which has been phased out.
Bursaries
The term means different things in different schools. Traditionally bursaries
were means-tested awards made by schools to the children of parents who could
not afford to pay full fees. Sometimes they may only be available to the
more able and talented pupils - for example, the Ogden Trust bursaries are
for bright children from state primary schools to attend any one of ten top
independent day schools.
Bursaries are frequently earmarked (eg for children of clergymen, service
personnel or alumni) or are available only to existing pupils. They are often
used to provide short-term help for parents in (proven) financial difficulties,
particularly to help pupils complete their courses at crucial stages stages
in their examination years
Also try researching:
Fee Planning - For advice on school fee planning in the UK.
School Fees - Financial schemes and help for UK school fees.
Financing - Financial assistance for independent education.
School Loan School fee loans available for the UK.
Education Loan
Private Tutors - Private tuition and extra help for your child.
Education - General UK education advice.
School Wear
Children's Holiday sites
School Uniform resource
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