South-east independent schools increase fees by more than 600 pounds

Parents who are saving to send their children through independent schools in the south-east will be interested to know that fees have increased by over £600 this year.

The most expensive school, according to a London newspaper, was Hurtwood House in Dorking, which charges a top rate of £29,670 per year.

And fees throughout Sussex are exceeding £20,000 a year. Roedean School in Sussex follows Hurtwood House with a highest rate of £27,000, the Argus reports.

Meanwhile, a report from York University has found that pupils attending independent schools perform only marginally better than their state school and sixth-form counterparts.

Among the top five per cent A-level results during 2004-06, three-quarters of independent school pupils achieved three grade As, compared to 74 per cent and 71 per cent at sixth-form colleges and state schools respectively, the Times reports.

Parents looking to invest in their children's education can look to a wide variety of school fee plans to help them prepare for the cost. SFIA offers a range of advice to parents on how best to plan for the long term.