Pay Grades

Is sending your child to a private school really worth the cost? Amy Noton investigates…

- Amy Noton

Choosing a school for your child is an exciting but often overwhelming task. Amongst worries about location, size and exam results, there’s a school’s culture and the extra-curricular activities on offer to consider too. But what about choosing between a private or state school?

For those seeking to educate their children privately, it’s becoming increasingly expensive: school fees have trebled in real terms since 1980, with their cost as a proportion of household budgets rising remarkably. A day school costs on average £13,000 a year, while a boarding school will be more than £30,000. But as a result of these fees independent schools have the advantage of investing profits back into improving their often already impressive facilities.