What is included in school fees?

When you are planning private education you expect to pay school fees but there are other costs to be borne in mind, so it is important to find out from the schools you are considering what is included in their fees and what is not.

Schools may quote an "all-inclusive" fee but sometimes they will quote a basic fee, plus "Extras". Extras may be optional or non-optional. Optional extras could be music lessons, specialist sports coaching, additional tuition or school trips, whilst non-optional extras might be books that the student will keep and consumable items such as stationery. Exam entry costs are usually included in the basic fee package at private schools. When comparing school fees, it is important to know exactly what the school includes in its charges. Extras will be billed separately each term.

Day school fees include tuition and lunches and boarding school fees include meals and laundry, but not usually dry cleaning.

Other items which you need to budget for are school uniform and sports equipment - the individual schools will provide lists of what is required and many of them have a school shop on campus supplying uniform clothing as well as books and sports kit. Boarders will also need non-uniform clothing for weekends and families may be asked to provide some linens such as duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases or towels.

Overseas parents may need to appoint professional guardians, if there are no family members living within reasonable distance of the school who are able to act as guardians. The school may be able to direct parents towards a professional guardianship agency, or see our Services section for more information.