Fees
Indicative average fee levels
| Type Of School | Day Schools (cost per term 07/08) |
Boarding Schools (cost per term 07/08) |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery | £613 - £1880 | NA |
| Junior | £1954 | £5231 |
| Senior | £2775 | £7730 |
Fee levels
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 2007 were between 4.5% and 6.5%, similar to average increases in 2006. Fees vary considerably between different types of school - day and boarding; junior and senior; urban and rural. Some schools make an additional charge for 'extras', such as lunches and books, while others charge an all inclusive fee.
Many schools offer financial assistance, most commonly in the form of bursary awards, granted on the basis of financial need. The level of financial assistance can range from around 20% to 100% of the fees.
Further details of indicative average fee levels for the different types of independent schools in Scotland can be downloaded from the pdf document, on the right.
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. Expenditure on teaching and other salaries represents the most significant cost at around 70% of expenditure – a necessary outlay to attract high quality teachers and support staff. 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.