Quick question to those that send their kids to independent schools...

[Fidgetsmum]

We're considering both ind. and state but want to know from parents with children at independent schools (reception year), in addition to the fees, how much extra do you pay per term (uniforms, extra curricular activities, trips etc)? We are not 'high earners' as such, so any 'hidden extras' might tip us from managing it to not managing it.

(And before anyone starts, I know the pros and cons of state vs independent - my husband and I experienced both in our own schooling and took positives and negatives from both!!)

Thanks

[Fidgetsmum]

Thanks for the PM's so far.

[damzel]

Scuppered. I was following this thread as was very interested to hear the answers (thanks for asking the questions). Would you be able to summarise the info you've been PM'd?

[Saila]

me too! i was budgeting in my head about ?2k a year for 'extras'

i wonder how naive that is...

[trinity]

I have pm'ed fidgetsmum but am happy to share my experiences here.

In pre-prep at Japs the extras are approx as follows

?200 lunch and milk per term

?20 on day trips, swimming badges etc per term

They can learn a musical instrument from Y2 onward which costs approx ?165 per term.

In year 2 there is a day trip to France which costs ?200 ( I think)

In the prep school the big ticket items are music lesson (as above)& residential trips (1 per year)

Uniform can be done very cheaply through well-attended second hand sales.

[trinity]

Should also say that afterschool clubs are free however they are not a childcare option. They are only half an hour, and you can take part in a maximum of 2 per week.

[zoal]

I think the biggest hidden costs are additional childcare headaches if you are 2 working parents. holidays are longer (half term for 1st term 2 weeks vs 1, summer starts 2 weeks earlier, etc.)...perhaps offset by the ability to take advantage of slightly cheaper deals if you can/have to travel (we have significant family abroad)

After school clubs not bad from year 3 onwards when end of school day is 3:30pm, takes it to 4-4:15 (4:45pm for some sports ones).

also fees go up ?1-2% every year.