Whether you choose to send your child to an independent school or a government-funded school, there will be costs to factor into your budgeting so that nothing comes as a surprise. For instance, most schools require their students to wear a uniform, including a PE kit, which can add up to be quite expensive. It would be wise to buy the uniform in a slightly bigger size so that there is room for your child to grow and be sure to sew in name tags just in case anything is misplaced at school.
After all, you don’t want to have to keep replacing items every time they go missing or start to become a little too small. Bear in mind that secondary schools usually have stricter rules when it comes to school uniform, so make sure you have found a full list of requirements.
Of course, as well as uniform, your child will need other supplies, including a school bag, a pencil case and all of their stationery. Some of this might be available to buy second-hand in a charity shop and there are usually some great deals on stationery towards the end of the summer holidays, so keep your eyes peeled.
Another cost to consider is your child’s lunch. In government-funded schools in the UK, children receive a free school lunch until the end of Year 2, and then parents will have to provide money for lunch or a pack up. Some children will be eligible for free school lunches even after Year 2, so if you receive any kind of benefits, check your local authority’s website to find out if your family qualifies.
There will also be various other fees throughout your child’s academic journey, some compulsory and others not. For example, they may want to learn an instrument or join another extra-curricular club that charges a fee. There will also be one or two school trips each year. As long as you are prepared for these expenses and they don’t come as a shock to you, they shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Until next time,
Jada x
