AN online toy store has claimed ‘Holsworthy is home to one of the most expensive private day schools in the UK’, however, Highgate Hill House School based in Whitstone, has hit back stating the information they have posted is ‘misleading’.

New research from PoundToy has suggested which are the most expensive and most affordable private day schools and boarding schools around the UK and how much you need to earn to send your child there. 

A spokesperson for PoundToy said: “You might suspect that the added expense of boarding would make those schools the most expensive, however, it is the private schools only attended during the day that are the most expensive. In fact, the top ten most expensive day schools charge an average of around £64,000 per year, which is just under £14,000 more than the average annual fee for the top-ranked boarding schools. On the other hand, the average cost for all 473 boarding schools is more than double that of the 1,330 day schools.”

Highgate Hill House School ranks fourth in the top ten, below Oracle School’s Cheshire and Bedfordshire sites and Park House School in Cambridgeshire. According to the toy store’s table, day fees per term at Highgate amount to £25,209, making the cost for the year £75,627. It also suggest that an ‘estimated household income required’ to afford said fees is £138,259.

In response Gina Wagland, headteacher Highgate Hill House School, highlighted the reasons for the school’s fees, stating that the table only provided the school’s top end fees. She said: “Highgate Hill House School is a Special Educational Needs School for children with social, emotional, and mental health needs, including autism. The children that attend our school require high levels of individual support. Through partnership with parents, carers, children and the Local Authorities we offer a child centred learning experience.  

“Our fees are agreed with the Local Authority and are determined solely on the needs of the child and follow national guidance and local agreements. The fee shown in the table is misleading and at the very top end of our fee range — the vast majority of our children’s fees are significantly lower than this. Children that attend our school could not function within the mainstream school system — the table does not differentiate between mainstream and SEN schools and services offered which is misleading.”

To view the full list of schools visit www.poundtoy.com/blogs/news/expensive-education