There are many types of schools in the UK; some parents choose to send their kids to private schools, which require a termly fee, amongst other costs.

However, even if you choose to send your child to a school that is funded by the government, there will still be lots of costs to factor into your budgeting, so that nothing comes as too much of a surprise. A prep school in Surrey have suggested some of these costs below.

School Uniform

Regardless of the school, you will always need to buy your child school uniform.

Secondary schools tend to have stricter rules where uniform is concerned, so it’s important to look for the full list and find out which shops sell it.

It’s a good idea to buy the uniform in a slightly bigger size so that your youngster has some growing room because you don’t want to have to keep replacing their clothes.

It’s also worth sewing name tags into the bigger garments so that if it goes missing, your child is more likely to get it back. 

 Other Supplies

 As well as the uniform, your child will need a bag and all of the correct stationery and books. You might be able to find some of this in charity shops or other secondhand stores if you’d like to save some money.

 Food

In government-funded schools in the UK, your child will receive a free school dinner until the end of Year 2.

After that, you will either have to provide them with a pack-up or some cash to buy food at school.

It might be worth checking your local authority’s website, as your child may be eligible for free school dinners, after Year 2. This depends on household income and whether or not you are receiving other government benefits. 

Other, non-compulsory fees might arise throughout your child’s academic journey, such as school trips or extra-curricular clubs.

Music lessons, for instance, can be quite costly, so make sure your child is up for the challenge before you invest your money.

It’s always best to be aware of the extra costs involved in sending your child to school. Even if you don’t pay for tuition there are some extras outlined above which can add up. As long as you know about them upfront you can be prepared.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.