Quick stats
£5,404 The cost of a child's 11-year state education — including £1,200 on uniforms and £3,121 on school lunches, according to Halifax
£9,627 Average annual cost of sending one child to a private day school in 2007
£20,970 The average level of fees for one year at a boarding school (all stats: Halifax)
Simple saver
Keep your faith in the state sector to achieve a mammoth saving. As our quick stats above show, there's a huge gap between the cost of sending your child to a state school and forking out for private education. Though, of course, that doesn't take into account the cost of moving into the catchment area for the state school of your choice ...
Advanced saving tips
1. Don't spend too much on uniforms
The UK school uniform market is estimated to be worth up to £1bn. Uniforms are a contentious issue, costing hundreds of pounds for secondary schools even in the state sector, with restrictions on where certain items can be bought. Many parents struggle with these costs, although retail chains have spotted a gap in the market with some, such as Asda and Woolworths, offering complete uniforms from socks to sweaters for £10 or less.
2. Check if you are eligible for help with the cost
Some local education authorities offer uniform grants or vouchers to low-income families. In Wales, a one-off grant of £97.50 is available to pupils starting secondary school who are eligible for free school meals. You might also be able to get help from the governing body or parents' association. And keep the cost down by buying second-hand: most schools organise uniform sales.
Remember also that if you are on a low income and receive benefits such as income support, your children should also get free school meals (which normally cost £1.50 to £2 a day) and free milk, if it is available. Some local or religious charities may offer limited financial help through grants.
3. Let your kids travel for free
Your child is automatically entitled to free transport to school up to the age of 16, so long as he or she attends the nearest suitable school, and that school is further away than the "statutory walking distance" (typically two miles or three miles, depending on the age of the child or family income). In London, buses are free for the under-16s.
4. Apply for scholarships
Apply for scholarships and bursaries if your sights are set on a private education. The Independent Schools Council (isc.co.uk) says one-third of pupils receive some kind of financial assistance. Scholarships tend to offer partial discounts on annual fees (to a maximum of 50% but usually much lower) to pupils, normally at secondary level, with academic, music, art or sporting ability, no matter what the parents' income is. Bursaries are means-tested.
Some schools offer grants to children of clergy, teachers and the armed forces. Others give help to children of former pupils, single-parent families and orphans or discounts for siblings. The Directory of Grant-Making Trusts lists the trusts that can offer help with the cost of sending a child to an independent school. Ask for the list from the Charities Aid Foundation at cafonline.org.
Some education authorities and social-service departments give grants for private boarding schools if you can show that boarding is essential, and if there is no room for your child at one of the few state boarding schools.
5. Encourage your kids towards engineering and design
About 40 schools offer Arkwright scholarships for sixth-formers planning to study engineering, technology or design-related subjects at university - visit arkwright.org.uk. The Ogden Trust also provides scholarships and bursaries at independent schools for state primary school pupils showing promise in maths and physics (ogdentrust.com).
6. ... or music and dance
Would-be Billy Elliots can seek fee assistance under the government's Music and Dance scheme to attend schools such as the Royal Ballet School and the Wells Cathedral School - see dfes.gov.uk/mds/index.shtml.
Nice little earner (for your teenager)
To encourage more youngsters to stay in education, the government offers an Education Maintenance Allowance to children from families earning less than £30,810 a year. Your 16-to-18-year-old gets a weekly paymentof £10, £20 or £30 (depending on family income) as long as they regularly attend and work hard on their course. There are bonuses, too, worth up to £300 a year. Any income from a pupil's part-time job is ignored.
Planet saver
Buy second-hand uniforms, encourage your children to cycle or walk to school and, if you give them packed lunches, make use of reusable containers. If you prefer new uniforms, then think green (as in environmental), such as the Ecosmart range from Yorkshire-based company School Colours (schoolcolours.co.uk). Its range includes blazers made from recycled plastic bottles.
