Saltus parents have been hit with another $2,000 fee hike ? just one year after the last one.

Tuition fees were raised from about $8,000 to $10,000 per child last September but now the school says another raise is needed ? pushing annual fees over $12,000.

One shocked parent told : "This means an overall increase of 50 percent within 13 months."

He also slammed the school's timing, given that parents were informed by letter just six weeks before the end of the term, leaving them no time to withdraw their children for next term without risking losing cash.

"We have to give a full term's notice to do so," said the outraged parent, who would not be named.

"Many parents are upset, especially if you have more than one child at the school. The school does not give discounts for a second, third or even fourth child at the institution.

"I know a family who has four children at the school. This increase means a rise of $8,000 a year for that family.

"Parents are surprised an institution with such a high reputation is unable to deliver a long term financial plan which would give everybody some planning security.

The parent added: "Parents should be warned about an increase well ahead (in order) to be able to plan.

"The reasons given by the school ? that they took three teachers out of their teaching positions and made them deputies and the pay increase for staff to catch up with the public system's pay raised from last year ? fall short of the evidence.

"Already last year the pay raise was given as a reason without actually raising the income of staff accordingly."

Headmaster Nigel Kermode said there was no alternative but to raise fees again.

In a letter to parents, he said: "We appreciate that these are not the easiest of economic times and that these increases may well be challenging to some families, particularly those with more than one child at Saltus."

He said the school considered financial aid in deserving cases and the deadline for applications had been extended to May 31.

Mr. Kermode said the school was not trying to making a profit but had to cover operating costs.

He denied the money was being put aside to fund a new building but said it was important that donated funds went towards improvements rather than day-to-day running expenses.

However, the parent said: "Saltus is abusing its power position to force more money into its account."