Industry News
Independent school fees 'rising fast'
Posted on 17th January 2008
Independent school fees have risen far faster than the rate of inflation in recent times, according to a government report.
Figures compiled by the Office for National Statistics revealed that education costs - which include school fees, university fees and private tuition - climbed by 13 per cent last year, compared with the headline inflation rate of 2.1 per cent.
The increase is partly due to private schools raising their average annual fees to £9,000 for day pupils and £20,000 for boarders, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Dick Davison of education specialist Mtmconsulting told the newspaper fees had gone up to ensure independent schools could continue to offer better services than their state counterparts, despite the government increasing its education spending.
"Independent schools have to attract high-quality teachers, so they have to pay competitive wages and they are facing more competition from the state sector," Mr Davison explained.
Although having children privately educated has become more expensive, a recent report for the Nuffield Foundation may reassure parents the outlay represents value for money.
Researchers concluded that children who attend independent schools go on to secure better degree results and higher earnings than those educated in the state sector.