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News: Private schooling further out of reach

Private school fees have become significantly less affordable for the average worker over the past five years, according to new research from Halifax Financial Services.

In 2005 average private school fees were equal to 35% of average gross earnings. Five years earlier, in 2000, average private school fees were equivalent to 30% of average earnings.

The deterioration in affordability in recent years has been driven by the 43% increase in average private school fees since 2000, which has markedly outpaced the 24% rise in average earnings over the same period. 

More occupations no longer able to afford private school fees

In 2005, average private school fees accounted for 25% or less of average annual gross earnings in only nine occupations.  In 2000, there were 19 occupations where this was the case. 

Using this criterion as a benchmark to measure affordability, the average worker in the following 10 occupations can no longer afford to send their child to private school without assistance from other sources whereas they could in 2000:

  • IT professionals,
  • pharmacists,
  • architects,
  • quality and customer care managers,
  • scientists,
  • police officers,
  • engineers,
  • journalists,
  • writers,
  • tax advisors.

Directors can afford to educate their children privately

At the top end of the scale, senior directors and Chief Executives earn an average £132,000. For them, school fees are affordable, representing 7% of their gross earnings.

Increased support from schools to ease affordability difficulties

Schools have sought to ease the apparent affordability difficulties for many parents by increasing the number of bursaries available. Nearly a quarter (24%) of pupils at ISC independent schools receives support from the schools worth £286 million. In 2000, 20% of pupils received support from the school.

Average school fees as a percentage of average earnings for all management and professional occupations, 2000 and 2005.

Occupation

Gross average earnings, 2005 £pa

School fees as % of earnings

2005

2000

Senior directors and chief executives

132,335

7%

12%

Doctor & consultants

68,804

14%

14%

Pilot

61,585

16%

10%

Divisional director

56,149

17%

15%

Senior police officer

51,487

19%

16%

Lawyer & judges

51,016

19%

17%

Accountants & analysts

44,754

22%

18%

Bank manager

44,726

22%

21%

Production manager

40,457

24%

20%

It professional

38,000

26%

24%

Pharmacist

37,036

26%

21%

Architects

36,860

27%

25%

Quality and customer care manager

36,095

27%

15%

Scientist

35,749

27%

24%

Police officer

34,913

28%

22%

Tax expert

34,719

28%

18%

Engineer

34,717

28%

23%

Journalist & broadcaster

33,825

29%

21%

Clothes designer

33,018

30%

26%

Teacher & lecturer

32,428

30%

26%

Writer

31,643

31%

21%

Legal associate

31,150

31%

26%

Trading standards officer

31,005

32%

29%

Farmer

29,695

33%

32%

Computer programmer

29,504

33%

24%

Researcher

28,755

34%

26%

Sales representative

28,668

34%

30%

Shop owner

28,569

34%

33%

Garage owner

27,940

35%

27%

Therapist

26,630

37%

33%

Conservation officer

25,211

39%

n.a.

Surveyor

25,175

39%

30%

Librarian

24,802

39%

33%

Nurse

24,759

39%

33%

Lab technician

24,453

40%

32%

Retail Manager

24,192

40%

33%

Welfare Officer

22,145

44%

38%

Clergyman

20,876

47%

42%

Pub Landlord

20,842

47%

39%

All Occupations

28,210

35%

30%

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