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After the fees come the school fee extras

Schoolsmith · Published: Feb 23, 2017 · Updated: Jun 21, 2019

You’ve paid the fees but the school fee extras can be significant. Don’t forget to budget for them.

For those of you thinking of independent schooling, you’ve probably already made a note of sacrifices (let’s call them “lifestyle changes”) you’ll be making to pay the fees.

And if you haven’t, you should know that the average termly school fees in 2019/20 for the 1,900 mainstream independent schools in my database rises from £2,985 in Reception to £5,233 in the Upper Sixth. Average full boarding fees range from £7,410 per term in Year 3 to £10,282 in the Upper Sixth. There’s more about fees here.

You were pining for your loss of pay TV subscriptions, fancy nights out à deux, the new car and the holidays abroad. But now, and in the spirit of a good kicking when you’re down, I’ve compiled a list of school fee extras, some or all of which will be added to your bill. These extras can easily exceed £2,000 per year. In a more positive light, think of it as a budgeting checklist for your school visits.

School fee extras

  • Uniform, bags and sports kit (3 terms, indoor and outdoor)
  • Lunch, tea, supper, snacks
  • Day trips (transport, admission, refreshments)
  • Residential trips and sports tours
  • Extended hours/before and after school care
  • Bus/coach/minibus service to and from school
  • Text books, stationery
  • Laptops, Chromebooks, iPads, tablets, calculators
  • Science, cookery, art, DT consumables
  • Cookery basket
  • Internet access, library cards, printer/photocopier cards
  • Locker padlocks
  • Musical instrument, drama/speech and drama, dance tuition, and exams
  • Swimming lessons
  • Clubs run by external experts, such as fencing, judo, karate
  • Horse riding and stable charges
  • Weekend activities
  • Exam fees
  • Personal accident insurance, medical insurance
  • Bedding, laundry and clothes repairs (boarding)
  • English as an Additional Language
  • Special Educational Needs care and assessment
  • PTA contributions
  • Capital development charge (a levy to improve school facilities)

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