Private School Fee Reduction?

Lord_Blue

We have a 3 year old that is due to start lower school next year and we are keen for him to attend a local private school. He is currently going to the pre-school for the same school currently and is doing very well (as far as you can tell for a 3 year old anyway!) The school goes right up until sixth form and would provide him continuity and an excellent environment.

I went to the school myself and in the City I live in it is clear that the school is streets ahead of the state schools available.

Does anyone have any advice on negotiating school fees at all? The cost is quite high and although we could manage it, we would obviously benefit from some help on this. We also have a 6 month old and the thought of having to pay for both of them leaves me in a cold sweat!

I've tried to find out about assisted places etc., but it's not clear what you can do. Any help or advice anyone can offer me would be gratefully received.

bryanb

Contact the Bursar of the school concerned. Maybe they give reductions for "old boys"

Lord_Blue

Thanks. What's the etiquette of negotiating on fees? We went for a tour around the school with the head and when I tried to raise the subject of fees he pretty much skirted around the issue. I realise it's the bursars place for this, but not really sure how to approach it.

TangledMemories_2

I know at my school (I went to a Private School from age 4 to 16), they had a scholarship scheme for senior school (which would range from 10% - 30% discount off the fees)...and a reduction if siblings attended.
May be worth asking?

Dinah93

I got a scholarship at my school too at age 11, which was 50%, but they only did 5 of those per year so obviously you did need to be bright as everyone and his dog in the town went for them.

My brothers school were completely non-negotiable on fees, so you would have to speak to the bursar about it, as every school has different policies. Brother's school's attitude was 'if you cant afford our fees the local comp would love to have you!'.

Lord_Blue

Hmmm. Well, I know when I was at school that lots of the other kids were on scholarships. Some for their academic qualities and others because they didn't have the money. The trouble is, the school was run by brothers in my day and although it still has religious links, it is no longer 'run' by the brethren. I think it is run much more as a business these days.

kalaika

Lord_Blue wrote: »

...Does anyone have any advice on negotiating school fees at all? The cost is quite high and although we could manage it, we would obviously benefit from some help on this. We also have a 6 month old and the thought of having to pay for both of them leaves me in a cold sweat!...

Whilst I know no-one can predict the future, if you do get a discount or scholarship for your 3 year old, would you be able to afford for the 6 month old to go there as well?

The only reason I ask is that, whilst I've no experience of private schools myself, I have a friend who went to state comprehensive whilst his older sibling had gone to private. He's always felt that there was a certain amount of favoritism there (whether that was intentional, circumstantial or otherwise, I don't know). Might just be something to bear in mind.

Lord_Blue

Oh, I can afford to send them both, but it means other things become less affordable. Obviously I'd like to save as much as I can in the process.

I actually know exactly what you are talking about there kalaika. I am the younger one of two brothers and although I went to private school my brother did not. My older brother has never mentioned any feelings of favouritism and actually the joke in the family is that he got all the attention.

However, even he agrees that the opportunities private school afforded me were well worth it. He's doing very well for himself, but this says more about his character than his schooling.

I am committed to the idea of sending them both, but if I can save money, I will do.

RoxieW

Our local private only does bursaries for 11+. I think they have a policy which they stick to and would work out on basis of income/expenditure. If you can afford the fees you are unlikely to qualify. We dont qualify on a £40k combined income unfortunately as otherwise we cant afford the 9k a year fees for both our boys

MrsTinks

You can afford the school fees so why would you qualify for a reduction? Surely shouldn't any reductions etc be given to people actually struggling to pay but with gifted children?
Obviously ask - especially for reductions for 2 children going, but expect to be turned down if you can in fact afford to send your children there...

Lunar_Eclipse

Lord_Blue wrote: »

Hmmm. Well, I know when I was at school that lots of the other kids were on scholarships. Some for their academic qualities and others because they didn't have the money.

Scholarships are not typically means tested and awarded on merit. Often there are academic, sport, art & music scholarships available, although I've never heard of them being applicable to Reception places. Some could be offered for entry at 7+, but are mainly awarded at 11+ and 16+.

For people who can't afford the fees but are eligible to attend the school (your comment in bold), bursaries are available which are not the same as scholarships. Unlikely to qualify once income reaches about 40k/year, so really they are for poor, bright children who would not normally be able to attend private school.

Some schools offer siblings discounts, often for the third and subsequent child. Count yourself lucky if the school offers them for a second child and also if it's more than a 5% reduction.

School fees are generally non-negotiable. I did read only today that Winchester College have a scheme where you can pay for your whole child's education up to 5 years in advance of them starting, at a discounted rate.