Understanding school fees: what the term figure leaves out

The number a school quotes per term is rarely the number you pay. Understanding the components makes it easier to compare two schools honestly.

Application and processing fees come first, before any decision is made. These are usually modest and often non-refundable — check the refund policy in writing, because practice varies widely between schools.

Boarding is the largest single variable. A day place and a boarding place at the same school can differ by more than half the tuition. Where a school offers both, ask for each figure separately rather than an average.

Then there are the costs that arrive after enrolment: uniform, books, exam registration, and trips. None are unreasonable on their own, but together they can add a meaningful amount to a year. Ask for last year's total rather than this term's quote.