Private school fees (merged)

natalie1974

I think as everyone else has pretty much said the fact of the matter is you can't really afford a private education for your child . Unless the child (as in child in general) is singled out for being gifted the only reduction in fees is when a sibling joins . My DD1 is at private school and when DD2 starts in January 2009 I will get a whopping (:rolleyes:) 5% discount but only for DD2's fees , DD1's will still stay the same . And also like others have said it is not only the cost of the fees it is everything else that comes with it , uniforms , trips etc etc . To give you a rough idea my school uniform shop sells blazers from £90 upwards , school coats from £120 upwards , £15 a blouse , £20 a jumper , £20 a skirt , £20 a summer dress , £25 for the school hat etc etc . All these prices are based on age 3 so as DD1 is now nearly 8 yrs old the blazers and coats cost approx £30 more for each one . Sorry if I sound harsh , I certainly do not mean to .

loreleicat

I have both kids in public school at present and it is a real struggle to make ends meet - but I am adamant that it is what I can best do for them as a parent. We do not holiday, I have never owned and MP3 player, ipod or any of that type of stuff. Older son was in state school and basically not being taught to read at all. He is gentle and well mannered and didn't want to bother the teacher who was dealing with some real little brats and exhausted. Older son now doing very well and I transferred younger as soon as a place became available. What really annoys me is that I am funding state education which failed to educate my children. I think that each child should have the state education funding attached to them as an amount you can port to whatever registered institution you want. Feel very ripped off.

sooz

inkie wrote: »

where she is happy at , and is part of the G & T cohort.

Gin and Tonic??

usa1

Hi happysad - No harm in asking for a 50% bursary. Many parents get a good reduction due to `creative accounting` I cant do this as im salaried. My D private Prep School has a very good second hand stall for the School uniform. Some of its hardly worn, My best advice - Just take one terms payments at a time.

inkie

Quote:
Originally Posted by inkie
where she is happy at , and is part of the G & T cohort.


Gin and Tonic??

Gifted and talented.

sooz

inkie wrote: »

Gifted and talented.

That makes so much more sense!

HappySad

Thanks everyone for your advice and letting me know about your own situation.

My son currently goes to a private nursery and I was able to get all the uniform either free or 1/2 price by talking to parents of the older children.

I will try for a bursary, as I have nothing to loose in asking.

I am also looking to get my son into the best local state school but this is not guaranteed that he will get a place. This school has OUTSTANDING or VERY GOOD all over the place in its ofsted report and is about 1mile away.

Having bi polar I don't think there is any grants available to me but I will ask around.

When you look around the school you can see that the private school can do with a bit or cash injection to make everything looking great but on the other hand the classes are only 17 and the teachers are all very motivated and get good standards of education for the children while also working really hard to make them rounded, positive, happy and confident children.

If we don't get our first choice state school then we will definately go private and just manage somehow to make the fees. If we get our first choice state school then we will then evaluate both schools again and decide.. will then probably to state as this would be free.

bestpud

loreleicat wrote: »

I think that each child should have the state education funding attached to them as an amount you can port to whatever registered institution you want. Feel very ripped off.

Leaving those who simply could not afford a private education (as they would lose the roof over their heads, not a holiday or mp3 player) with a worse funded state education than the one you are trying to escape.

Thanks!

inkie

Don't always assume that the private schools have the smaller class sizes. DD got a place at private with 24 in the class. She ended up going to the state school, and the class that she is in, has 24 pupils!

backtomum

loreleicat wrote: »

I have both kids in public school at present and it is a real struggle to make ends meet - but I am adamant that it is what I can best do for them as a parent. We do not holiday, I have never owned and MP3 player, ipod or any of that type of stuff. Older son was in state school and basically not being taught to read at all. He is gentle and well mannered and didn't want to bother the teacher who was dealing with some real little brats and exhausted. Older son now doing very well and I transferred younger as soon as a place became available. What really annoys me is that I am funding state education which failed to educate my children. I think that each child should have the state education funding attached to them as an amount you can port to whatever registered institution you want. Feel very ripped off.

Goodness me - I didn't know they cost that much!
So you want the state to subsidise private education! That's a classic!