Extras can add considerably to the bill (perhaps by another 10% on top ), depending largely on which activities your child chooses to take part in, eg: instrumental tuition or school trips. An allowance must be made for expenses relating to books, entries for public examinations, stationery and uniforms. (Many schools have second-hand shops selling uniforms and books).

Disrupting a child's education midway through a vital stage would be very unfortunate, so it is important to prepare for the commitment of paying fees for several years.

The secret of paying school fees is to plan them. Having in place a robust strategy that will enable the school fees to be met in the event of death, an illness or loss of income, better still, having plans in place where fees are not dependant on earned income should ensure that a child will be able to complete their education - no matter what.

The increasing number of children receiving help with their fees is a long term trend. In recent years, schools have been providing more financial help to compensate for the loss of government assisted places.

Many schools also have bursaries - grants from the school - to help pay the fees. These are often awarded after a 'means test' of family income. Some schools offer grants to children of clergy, teachers and armed forces personnel. Others give help to children of former pupils, single parent families and orphans or concessions for brothers and sisters. You should contact schools to find out the details and how much awards are worth.

In appropriate cases bursaries may be used to augment scholarships.

Charitable grant-making trusts are able to help only in cases of genuine need. The trusts will reject applications unless their specific requirements are satisfied. Before any approach is made to a trust or charity, it is essential that parents should seek assistance from their Local Education Authority.

The Ministry of Defence, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and other government departments sometimes give grants to enable children whose parents are working abroad to attend boarding schools in the UK.

Local authority grants are available occasionally for children for whom the local authority cannot provide an appropriate education. Multi-national companies and some professional associations sometimes provide educational funding.

The Joint Educational Trust (JET) helps children who have suffered tragedy or trauma at home or are at risk in some way. JET enables these children to attend caring independent schools where they have a real chance of making a new start.

JET helps by working towards providing a free or reduced-fees place. JET may also provide grants if there is a shortfall in funding, and often works in conjunction with other charities.

Many senior schools and a few junior schools offer scholarships to attract bright or talented pupils to the school. They are usually awarded after a competitive examination, for academic, musical, artistic or sporting merit. Scholarships of more than 30% are rarely awarded.

In this case, it really does pay to check out what help is available at your chosen school.