Fees
Indicative average fee levels
| Type of School | Day Schools (termly fee 2008-09) | Boarding Schools (termly fee 2008-09) |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery | £1694 | N/A |
| Junior | £2352 | £5641 |
| Senior | £2934 | £7766 |
Fee levels and financial assistance
The fees shown, above, are indicative average fees and as such cover a wide range of fees in independent schools throughout Scotland. Average increases in September 2008 were 5.4% for day tuition and 5% for boarding. Across the whole sector, fee increases range from 4% to 6% which is similar to previous years. Fees vary considerably between different types of school - day and boarding, junior and senior.
All schools offer financial assistance, most commonly in the form of means tested awards, granted on the basis of financial need. The level of financial support can very considerably, from a free place (where 100% of the fees are met by the school) to awards worth around 20% of the fees. The SCIS leaflet, Meeting the cost of school fees, which can be downloaded from the 'For Parents' page, gives information, advice and guidance about planning ahead to meet the cost and applying for financial assistance.
Keeping fees as low as possible
Independent, fee-paying schools in Scotland work to keep fees as low as possible so that the education they provide is accessible to many. As most independent schools are charitable foundations, fees are set at a level to cover running costs and generate a small surplus, which is reinvested into facilities and resources.