How much does private school cost per year in the UK?

The average cost of private school in the UK is approximately £18,000–£20,000 per year for day pupils and £35,000–£42,000 for boarders (2025/26 fees). Since January 2025, VAT at 20% applies to private school fees, increasing the effective cost. London and the South East tend to be more expensive. Fees vary enormously — from £10,000/year at smaller prep schools to over £50,000/year at prestigious boarding schools. Most schools increase fees by 3–5% annually.

Is VAT charged on private school fees?

Yes — since 1 January 2025, VAT at 20% applies to private school fees across the UK. This means a school charging £15,000/year before VAT will now charge £18,000. Not all schools are passing on the full 20% — some are absorbing part of the increase by cutting costs or using reserves. Bursaries and scholarships themselves are not subject to VAT (the school pays VAT on the gross fee and the bursary reduces what the parent pays). The change applies to tuition fees and boarding fees.

Can I get a bursary or scholarship for private school?

Yes — most private schools offer means-tested bursaries (based on family income and assets) and merit-based scholarships (for academic, music, sport, or art talent). Bursaries can cover up to 100% of fees for low-income families. Scholarships typically cover 5–20% of fees but carry prestige. Some schools also offer sibling discounts and forces discounts. The application process usually happens 1–2 years before entry and involves financial disclosure and/or aptitude tests.

Is it worth paying for private school?

This depends on your circumstances. Private school offers smaller class sizes (often 15–20 vs 30+ in state schools), more extracurricular activities, and often strong exam results. However, state grammar schools and some academies achieve comparable results. The total cost for a child's entire education (age 4–18) can exceed £250,000, which invested in a pension or ISA could produce significant wealth. Many parents find a middle ground — private for secondary school only, or state school with private tutoring.

Cost of Private School UK 2026 — Fees, Bursaries & VAT Changes | PocketWise

Private school fees in the UK have risen significantly, especially since VAT was added to fees from January 2025. Here’s what it costs and how to plan for it.

Average Private School Fees (2025/26)

Type	Average annual fee	With 20% VAT
Day school (prep, age 4–11)	£14,000–£16,000	£16,800–£19,200
Day school (senior, age 11–18)	£17,000–£22,000	£20,400–£26,400
Boarding school (prep)	£25,000–£32,000	£30,000–£38,400
Boarding school (senior)	£35,000–£45,000	£42,000–£54,000
Sixth form college (boarding)	£38,000–£50,000	£45,600–£60,000

Note: Not all schools are passing on the full 20% VAT. Some are absorbing part of the increase.

Regional Variation

Region	Typical day school fee (inc. VAT)
London	£22,000–£30,000+
South East	£20,000–£26,000
South West	£16,000–£22,000
Midlands	£14,000–£20,000
North of England	£12,000–£18,000
Scotland	£12,000–£18,000
Wales	£12,000–£16,000
Northern Ireland	£10,000–£14,000

Total Cost Over a Full Education

Scenario	Years	Annual cost (inc. VAT)	Total cost
Day school, ages 4–18	14 years	£20,000	£280,000
Day school, ages 11–18	7 years	£22,000	£154,000
Boarding school, ages 11–18	7 years	£42,000	£294,000
Day school, 2 children, ages 4–18	14 years each	£20,000 × 2	£560,000

These figures assume fees remain constant — in reality, fees typically rise 3–5% per year.

With 4% Annual Fee Increases

Scenario	Starting annual fee	Total over period
1 child, day school, 14 years	£20,000	~£365,000
1 child, day school, 7 years	£22,000	~£177,000
1 child, boarding, 7 years	£42,000	~£338,000

VAT on School Fees — What Changed

Detail	Before Jan 2025	From Jan 2025
VAT on tuition fees	0% (exempt)	20%
VAT on boarding fees	0%	20%
VAT on school meals	0%	0% (still exempt)
VAT on school bus transport	0%	0% (still exempt)
VAT on nursery fees (under compulsory school age)	0%	0% (still exempt)

Impact on Fees

Pre-VAT fee	VAT (20%)	Total with VAT
£10,000	£2,000	£12,000
£15,000	£3,000	£18,000
£20,000	£4,000	£24,000
£30,000	£6,000	£36,000
£40,000	£8,000	£48,000

Ways to Reduce the Cost

Bursaries (Means-Tested)

Detail	Information
What they are	Financial assistance based on family income and assets
How much	5%–100% of fees
Who qualifies	Families who can’t afford full fees — each school sets its own thresholds
How to apply	Through the school’s admissions/bursary office, usually 12–18 months before entry
What you’ll need to disclose	Income, savings, investments, property, car(s), regular expenditure

Scholarships (Merit-Based)

Type	Discount	How assessed
Academic	5–20%	Entrance exam, interview
Music	5–20%	Audition, ABRSM grade (usually Grade 5+)
Sport	5–20%	Trials, athletic achievements
Art/Drama	5–20%	Portfolio, performance
All-rounder	5–15%	Combination of the above

Tip: Scholarships can sometimes be combined with bursaries for a larger total reduction.

Other Discounts

Discount	Typical saving
Sibling discount	5–15% off second child, more for third
Forces discount	10–20% + CEA (Continuity of Education Allowance) for military families
Staff children	Often significant (50%+)
Early payment discount	1–2% if paying termly fees upfront for the year
Paying fees upfront (composition fee)	Pay several years in advance at a discount

How to Pay for Private School

Method	Pros	Cons
Pay from income	No debt, no investment risk	Requires high disposable income (~£1,700+/month after tax for a £20,000/year school)
Junior ISA	Tax-free growth, £9,000/year allowance	Child owns it at 18, may not use it for school fees
Stocks and Shares ISA	Tax-free growth, parents control the money	Investment risk
Grandparent contributions	Reduces grandparents’ estate for IHT	Gift rules apply
School fees plan	Monthly direct debit, spreading termly bills	Usually a small charge
Savings	Simple, no debt	Opportunity cost of not investing
Remortgage	Access housing equity	Adds to mortgage debt and interest costs
Pension-free cash	Tax-free lump sum at 55+	Reduces retirement income

Starting Early — Savings Example

Monthly saving	Growth rate	After 10 years	After 15 years
£500	5%	~£78,000	~£134,000
£750	5%	~£117,000	~£201,000
£1,000	5%	~£156,000	~£268,000
£1,500	5%	~£234,000	~£402,000

Private vs State — Cost Comparison

Factor	Private school	State school
Annual cost	£12,000–£50,000+	Free
Uniform	£300–£800/year	£100–£300/year
Trips	£500–£2,000/year	£100–£500/year
Average class size	15–20	27–30
Exam results (A-level A*/A)	~50%+	~25% (varies hugely)
Extracurricular	Extensive (included)	Variable (some paid)
Transport	Often extra (school bus)	Usually free if >2/3 miles

Questions to Ask When Choosing a School

Question	Why it matters
What’s the full fee including VAT?	Schools present fees differently
What additional costs are there?	Lunches, trips, uniform, clubs, exam fees
What bursary/scholarship support is available?	Can significantly reduce costs
What are the typical fee increases each year?	Budget for 3–5% annual rises
What are the exam results at GCSE and A-level?	Compare with nearby state schools
What’s the staff-to-pupil ratio?	Key advantage of private education
Is there a deposit?	Usually 1 term’s fees, refunded when you leave