Rethinking school fees

A private education has been described as the single most important investment you can make for your child, but let’s be realistic: for most families, school fees are a significant and hefty financial burden, which requires saving and sacrifices.

The good news is that schools are sitting up and listening – and increasingly restructuring what they offer to bring a private-school education within the financial reach of families who might not previously have considered it. If you know where to look, you’ll find plenty of options offering the gold-standard education you’d expect from an independent school at a lower price tag.

Take the Wishford Group of schools: a clutch of family-run, independent prep and senior schools who pride themselves on offering a more affordable education. None of this comes at the expense of facilities, small class sizes, outdoor space and wraparound care: one, Hatherop Castle, sits in a beautiful Cotswolds mansion in 22 acres of its own grounds within the 600-acre Hatherop Estate (co-curriculars include fencing, yoga and astronomy) – yet fees start at just £745 per month. The school also offers a small but generous bursary fund with means-tested scholarships and bursaries available for pupils from Years 3 to 8.

‘Hatherop takes huge pride in enriching and adding value to our pupils’ lives by providing outstanding opportunities at affordable prices. We believe as many children as possible should have the opportunity to benefit from a Hatherop education and so purposely keep our fees competitive’, says head Nigel Reed.

Another member of the Wishford Group, Westonbirt School, is well-known for its cosy family atmosphere and gentle academic encouragement. With 210 acres of grounds – boasting a lake, amphitheatre, nine-hole golf course and Italianate gardens – facilities here certainly aren’t in short supply, and academics are pretty impressive too (Westonbirt scores in the top five per cent of the country for value-added). And while many of its competitors have been busy focusing on the arms race to build flashier and showier sports halls and performing arts centres, Westonbirt’s head, Natasha Dangerfield, has been busy sharpening and modernising her school by reducing the fees – and increasing the number of day pupils in order to broaden its appeal. Westonbirt’s move to co-education has also proved very successful, with boys now filling spots in Year 9 and the sixth form (the first Year 7 cohort arrived in 2019). ‘There are so many opportunities to do so many different things’, one pupil told us.

Other schools are adapting their existing fee models to attract a more local market. The Elms, set on the edge of the glorious Malvern Hills, has recently introduced a new day fee: a no-brainer for families living nearby looking for a top-notch education for their sons and daughters at a lower price. ‘We have seen a change in what some parents want for their children at school – and although some want to maintain the traditional six-days-a-week style of prep school, an increasing number want a day offering too’, says head Chris Hattam.

Pupils opting into the new day model are given exactly the same academic grounding and thoroughly prepared for whichever senior schools are on their shortlist – and get to grow up in the same rural idyll, complete with its very own on-site farm. Those on the day-fee scheme have a slightly shorter day, with no boarding or after-school clubs, but for families who do want their children to board, there’s also a new ‘day plus’ option, where pupils can choose to stay over on an ad-hoc basis, paying £45 a night, anytime they wish (cheaper than a babysitter – and more fun, too). Children even have their own duvet and teddy bear waiting on their bed on the nights they board.

Stowe School in Buckinghamshire has traditionally been all about the boarding (around 85 per cent of pupils stick around seven days a week) – but a couple of years ago, the school cut the ribbon on two new day houses, which have pretty much everything (individual study areas, kitchens, common rooms – you name it) except the beds. Day pupils make the most of everything the school has to offer (they’re welcome to arrive as early as 7.30am, and stay on as late as 9pm for prep, supper, activities and sports practice, if they wish). The new day fee is currently £3,500 cheaper than the full boarding fee – and has been designed to provide a more affordable version of a hugely privileged education.

Of course, fees vary from school to school, so it’s vital to do your research and understand exactly what’s included – and what isn’t. In the Fees and Bursaries section on each Talk Education school page, you’ll find the termly fees for each year group, and detailed information on that school’s bursary programme.

To find out more, make sure you visit our school fees focus page. If you have more questions or need bespoke advice for your family, our parent advisory team is here to help.