In the United Kingdom, schools are either independently run and charge a termly fee to parents or they are funded by the government and come at no cost. Regardless of the type of school you choose to send your son or daughter to. When your child starts school there will be certain costs that you should factor into your budgeting. A boys’ preparatory school in Kent explores further below.

Uniform

When your child starts a new school they will require uniform, smart shoes and a PE kit. This can be quite costly for parents so it’s worth investing in these items a few months in advance so that the cost doesn’t come in one lump sum. It’s also wise to buy the clothing items in a marginally larger size so that there is some room to grow. Otherwise you’ll find yourself back in the school uniform store in a few months’ time. You should also sew name-tags into each of the garments so that if they do happen to go missing, there’s more chance of getting them back.

Supplies

As well as uniform, you also have to think about other supplies such as stationery and a school bag. If you’re lucky you might find some handy deals in stores around August time. Sometimes the school may provide many of these supplies. But it wouldn’t hurt to have some at home as well.

School Dinners

If your family receives certain benefits, your child may be entitled to free school dinners. Make sure to look into this on your local authority’s website. If they are not, you will need to provide your child with money for lunch or a pack up. The latter is likely to be a more affordable option and you’ll be able to make sure your child gets all of their favourite snacks.

Extracurricular Activities

Another thing that may be costly for you is extracurricular activities, such as music lessons or drama club. Usually these types of activities are very beneficial to children, making the costs worthwhile. But you will need to weigh up the pros and cons as a family. Other surprise costs may make an appearance throughout term. Like a school trip, but these aren’t typically compulsory so don’t feel pressured.