FEES | SHIPLAKE COLLEGE

The College has a unified device policy for all new pupils and classroom-ready Microsoft Surface Pro devices are available for parents to purchase. These devices form part of a comprehensive education toolkit and can be used either as a laptop or as a tablet, which ensures pupils can access learning in an individual and flexible way, all while providing a secure and robust learning environment.

Pupils are required to have a Surface device from a predefined list, with a type cover (keyboard) and Surface pen (a stylus). Depending on the device ordered, the cost will be in the region of £1,000-£1,500.

Pupil devices, accessories and warranty are sold via a custom store and managed by our partners, First Technology, who will prepare the device with all required software and ship it to your chosen address. Shiplake receives an educational discount on these devices which is passed straight on to parents.

Shiplake College Device Shop

Digital Strategy 2024 (inc FAQs)

Occasional outings with tutors, some visits to the theatre or cinema and parties or dances/socials at other schools may also be charged on account. We believe these are an essential part of the full programme of activities that should be offered in a boarding school.

All pupils are encouraged to learn a musical instrument. Free tuition of one instrument is given during timetabled lessons in Years 7 and 8 as part of the Music for All programme.

For Spring/Summer 2025, individual 35-minute lessons for all instruments are charged at £36.00 per lesson (inc. VAT). Charges are raised one term in advance. As part-time music staff are contracted on parents’ behalf, written notice one term in advance is required to stop lessons.

Further information about individual music lessons can be found here.

Shiplake College offers a Fees in Advance (FIA) Scheme. Please click on the link below for further details. Parents should advise the Accounts Department what level of termly credit they would like to pay in advance (minimum £3,000) and over how many terms (minimum six and maximum 15 terms) - the 'Fee Credit'.

The College will then apply the discount rate set out in the Standard Table at the end of the FIA Terms and Conditions to the amount of the Fee Credit. This calculation will generate the amount of the advance lump sum payment payable by you.

Parents should complete the application form and agreement and return to the College before making the transfer of the advance payment.

Fees in Advance Scheme (As of 1 March 2024)

Any payments made to the College under the FIA scheme that were made before 29 July 2024 should not be subject to VAT. HMRC have stated, however, it will be carefully scrutinising the detail of pre-payment schemes to ensure that schools pay the correct VAT where it is due.

Where there is sufficient space, parents may apply for day pupils to stay overnight at the College for a maximum of two nights per week. This may take place in any of the Houses where beds are available and not necessarily in the pupil's allocated House. All applications must be made in writing at least 72 hours in advance to the pupil’s Housemaster. Charges will be added to the pupil’s end of term fee invoice. If the pupil will be staying overnight regularly they may pay the flexi-boarding rate which results in a discount on the equivalent two nights' stay.

More information on flexi-boarding can be found here. 

Fees for places in the Learning Development Department (Core Places), which include additional timetabled group lessons of tailored support per week, are charged at the following for Spring/Summer 2025:

Years 7-11: £1,650 per term (inc. VAT)

Sixth Form: £825 per term (inc. VAT)

Click here for more information about Learning Development.

Fees for English as an Additional Language (EAL): £1,500 per term (VAT exempt)

For further information, please see our EAL policy

Public Examination Fees are charged to the pupil’s account.

If a pupil selects a certain club or society as a co-curricular activity (for example golf, or clay pigeon shooting, if being offered that term), parental approval is required in writing, as there is an additional charge of about £80 - £100 per term. There are also additional rowing subs for those who are part of the Boat Club which are charged termly and may cost between £40 and £90 depending on the pupil. Please note that some of these charges may be exempt from VAT (eg sports such as rowing), but others may be subject to VAT.

Our dedicated Boarding Activities Co-ordinator organises a variety of events and activities for boarders during the week and for those who stay in over the weekend.

The weekend activities programme covers a mixture of cultural, social and sporting events. On Sundays, boarders are allowed a ‘lie-in’ or have personal time until brunch at 11.30am. Sunday afternoons are reserved for more active activities, in which all boarders are strongly encouraged to take part.

The cost of the evening and weekend activity programme is included in the termly school fees for all full boarders. Weekly boarders and day pupils are welcome to participate in the weekend trips and activities, and the cost of these will be added to their end-of-term bill.

Please note that insurances are exempt from VAT.

Please click here for the various insurance options

Shiplake uses specialist transport management company Vectare to run our School Transport Service which includes daily transport routes and a weekly route for West London weekly boarders. Bookings are made through this system and payment is expected to be made separately termly in advance. Click here for details of routes and charges (please note that transport is exempt from VAT).

Transport (via our trusted taxi services) can also be arranged for pupils for example to and from Reading Station at exeats and half terms. Pupils may book taxis through the College office; charges for occasional transport will be made in arrears.

In the case of emergencies/accidents, the school will arrange transport as necessary (and a member of staff will accompany the pupil to the hospital and stay with them until a parent is able to get there).

Where parents are unable to accompany pupils for routine/pre-arranged appointments, the taxi charge will be added to the pupil's account. Pupils are expected to travel unaccompanied to such appointments (if a staff member is required to accompany them then a additional cost is likely).

It is not the school’s policy to advance travel money or money for visits of a purely recreational nature. Parents who live abroad must deposit sufficient money for travel with their child’s Housemaster (and for any other expenses at half term or for exeat weekends).

Shiplake College uses the online retailer Schoolblazer to supply uniform and sports kit. This allows parents to order anytime and from anywhere at their convenience. Go to www.schoolblazer.com for further details and to place your order.

Please note that haircuts, additional or missing uniform, etc. are also charged to pupils’ accounts. Click here for the uniform and equipment guide.

For non-British or Irish pupils, a Child Student Visa will be required for study in the UK unless they are lawfully entitled to study in the UK on another basis such as by virtue of a visa granted to a parent. This requirement also applies to current pupils continuing into the Sixth Form who will be required to apply for a new visa.

Shiplake wishes to make every effort to make this process as easy as possible and so will be supported by Nathan Millard of Cater Leydon Millard Limited for all Child Student Visa applications. All parents/pupils who require such a visa will receive personalised support throughout the visa process. Cater Leydon Millard Limited will keep you informed throughout your application process, highlighting key steps and documents that are required and answering any questions that you may have. Additionally, they will be working closely with our Admissions Team to ensure things run smoothly. If you have any queries before then, his contact details are [email protected]. 

Cater Leydon Millard Limited charge the College £625 per application (inc. VAT) which is passed directly to the family. This is a non-refundable administrative cost to cover the additional work required to ensure the smooth running of the visa process, which will be invoiced at the same time as fees.