School Fees Up

It would appear that only those earning in excess of £150,000 are able to afford school fees. They are said to be affordable if they are a quarter or less of the gross average wage.



A study shows that 6% more children are attending private schools than in the school year 2001/2002.

If a child is bright or exceptionally talented but parents are financially unable to send them to a private school it would be worth enquiring to ask if a bursary or even a scholarship may be available. An examination will have to be sat and the maximum help would normally be 50% of the fees.

Many schools are increasing the number of bursaries they give. The figure is now around 30% of pupils in independent schools receive a bursary the figure was 20% in 2002.

An average priced school in the South East could cost around £300,000 if the child was to attend from the age of four years to eighteen years.

One way to afford the fees is to start a savings plan perhaps through and Individual Savings Accounts (ISA Savings). Bonds or an offset mortgage or even help from grandparents who can give up to £3,000 a year free of inheritance tax are other options to consider.

One other option to think about is home schooling some 99,000 in the UK are schooled at home.