Family and Childcare Costs UK 2026 — Complete Financial Planning GuideCost of Private School UK 2026 — Fees, Bursaries & VAT Changes
How much private school costs in the UK in 2026, including the impact of VAT on school fees, bursary options, scholarships, and ways to plan for the expense.
Start here: Family Costs Hub.
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 |
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