Fri, 13 Oct 06
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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