At Durlston, we are committed to delivering an exceptional independent education in a nurturing, ambitious environment for children aged 2 to 16. Our fees reflect the outstanding quality of teaching, pastoral care, and the breadth of opportunities available to every pupil throughout their school journey.
From Nursery to Senior School, pupils benefit from small class sizes, specialist teaching, excellent facilities, and a rich programme of academic, sporting, creative, and co-curricular experiences. Every aspect of school life is designed to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and help each child realise their full potential.
What Your Fees Include
Our fee structure is reviewed annually and presented with clarity and transparency, helping families make informed decisions about a Durlston education.
School fees cover a wide range of opportunities and experiences, including:
• Outstanding teaching and academic provision
• Exceptional pastoral care and wellbeing support
• Specialist teaching across a broad curriculum
• Access to excellent learning resources and facilities
• A diverse co-curricular programme
• Games and sporting activities
• Many educational visits and enrichment experiences
Some activities, residential trips, public examinations, individual music tuition, and extended care are charged separately. Full details can be found in the school's Terms and Conditions and Fee Schedule.
Payment of Fees
Fees are payable termly in advance and can be paid using a range of convenient payment methods. Flexible payment options may also be available through approved providers.
For further information on payment schedules, deposits, notice periods, or terms of entry, please contact the Bursar, who will be happy to assist.
Durlston Fees include:
Fees 2026 - 2027
Fees as of September 2026 (inclusive of VAT) | |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten (Age 2 - 4) | £11.95 per hour (i.e. £53.78 per morning session – 4.50 hours including lunch, or £80.66 per day – 6.75 hours and includes lunch) Funding accepted for eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Kindergarten fees are VAT exempt |
| Reception | £4,015 per term Fees for an eligible Reception child receiving EYE would be £3,025 |
| Years 1 & 2 | £4,380 per term |
| Year 3 | £6,590 per term |
| Year 4 | £8,160 per term |
| Years 5 - 11 | £8,330 per term |
School Fees are payable termly on or before the first day of term. Please contact the Bursar for details of payment options. | |
We appreciate the sacrifice that families make to be able to afford independent education, we have therefore undergone a review and have implemented changes to help parents manage additional costs such as:
simplified uniform requirements
billing arrangements for external providers (e.g. Music lessons and Tennis Academy)
Flexible payment options, early years funding, bursaries and sibling discounts (see below for 'Assistance with Fees)
flexible transport arrangements – you only pay for what you use
Free transport for Durlston pupils travelling further than 10 miles
For further details or to discuss financial support options, please contact Bursar.
Assistance with Fees
We offer a means tested bursary scheme. This is an offer of financial assistance to those who would otherwise be unable to afford our fees.
How to Apply?
Applicants will be asked to complete a detailed financial questionnaire in order for the appropriate level of assistance to be determined. Our Bursar will be on hand to help prospective parents with the completion of this form if necessary and the details are then assessed by our Finance and General Purposes committee prior to any terms being offered. All applications are dealt with sensitively and in the strictest confidence and in accordance with GDPR regulations. You are not committed in any way by this process and if no terms are available or the terms offered are not acceptable, any applications are securely destroyed and no records are maintained.
Are you thinking that you may not qualify?
It goes without saying that if you do not apply then you will never know whether a Durlston education would have been possible for your child or children. Not all applicants are successful, but assistance terms can be generous to those who are, though this will not amount to free education.
If you would like further information or to arrange an appointment with our Bursar please complete our enquiry form and we will be in touch with you.
Scholarships
For more than 123 years, Durlston School has believed in the power of education to discover what is distinctive in every child, and to give them the confidence, knowledge and opportunity to make the most of it.
Our Scholarship Programme is a natural expression of that belief.
Our principal Scholarships are awarded to pupils entering Year 7 and Year 9. They recognise pupils who demonstrate exceptional ability, commitment or potential and provide a bespoke pathway through which that talent can be challenged, developed and celebrated.
- Durlston scholars benefit from a bespoke pathway through which talent can be challenged, developed and celebrated.
- A Durlston Scholarship has a small financial discount
- It is possible to achieve a scholarship in more than one area
- A scholarship can be applied for in conjunction with Means-Tested Bursary support where additional financial assistance is required.
- Durlston offers a limited number of Community Scholarship Bursaries. These are designed to recognise talented pupils who would not otherwise be able to access a Durlston education without significant financial support.
- The Headmaster's Award is awarded to pupils in Years 3 - 5 who are beginning to show promise, passion and potential in one of the areas celebrated through the Durlston Scholarship Programme.
Durlston School participates in Hampshire County Council's Early Years Funding Scheme (EYE). We accept 15 hours' funding for eligible 2 year olds and all 3 and 4 year olds.
Reception child receiving EYE would be £3,025
We also accept Child Care Vouchers for all children under 5 years old.
*Full information is available from the Bursar.
Sibling discounts are available for Parents with two or more children in the school (Year 1 and above). We offer the following discounts:
- 10% for two siblings (10% sibling one)
- 15% for three siblings (15% sibling one, 10% sibling two)
Further information is available from the Bursar.
We offer flexible payment options:
- Monthly payment plan
- Fees in advance scheme
Our friendly Bursar is on hand to answer any questions and provide assistance.