State boarding schools in the UK

State boarding schools are fairly cheap – mostly somewhere between £12,000-£18,000 a year - when compared to fees at private secondary schools which tend to start around £50,000 per year for full boarding. Parents are only charged for costs relating to board and meals because tuition is government funded as it is for all pupils at state schools.

The majority of pupils attending state boarding schools are day pupils, but many of them stay for after-school activities alongside the boarders – ‘a boarding experience minus the bed,’ as one school put it. Some of the schools, such as Gordon’s in Surrey, levy a compulsory ‘day boarding’ fee of several thousand pounds to all day pupils to cover after-school activities (though bursaries are available for low income families). Others, such as Hockerill Anglo-European, have free day places for normal school hours attendance, but charge a day boarding fee to those who wish to arrive for breakfast and stay for activities, supper and homework. 

Fees exempt from VAT

Since January 2025, while average private school fees have increased dramatically as a result of the new VAT charges, state boarding school fees have kept their exemption from VAT. This has further added to the perception that state boarding schools provide good value for money. 

As with other state schools, state boarding schools are open to British citizens and anyone with a right of residence in the UK. Since January 2021 UK state boarding schools are no longer open to nationals of other European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Detailed information regarding admissions criteria for applicants from the UK and other countries can be found on schools’ websites. Some state boarding schools, such as Oban High, operate their boarding facilities solely for those pupils who have to travel from nearby islands which don't have their own secondary or 16+ schools.

Some state boarding schools are grammar schools and so academically selective. Some are single sex and most will interview pupils in order to ensure they are suitable candidates for boarding. 

Ask yourself the following questions regarding state boarding in the UK.

How far away from home?

Are you prepared to travel for concerts, parents’ evenings, matches and weekend pick ups? Many seasoned boarding school parents caution against choosing a school more than about 90 minutes away.

Do the activities on offer appeal?

What happens after school and at weekends? Needless to say, at boarding school there's a lot more time outside of lessons for pupils to fill. Do activities accord with your child’s interests and abilities, whether in sport, music, art or drama?

Do enough pupils board?

How many boarders are there of your child’s age? And how many regularly stay in school at weekends? Sometimes, its just a handful of international pupils who stay behind at weekends so if you are considering full boarding, it’s vital that your child doesn’t spend weekends rattling around with few friends or activities.

Will your child get in?

If it is academically selective - many state boarding schools are also grammars - is your child likely to make the grade? 

What are you looking for when you visit?

Draw up a shortlist and arrange visits. Don’t expect the schools to have the extensive grounds and expensive facilities of many independent boarding schools – though some do. A bit of tattiness doesn’t matter, but if you sense neglect, beware. Some state boarding schools run traditional boarding houses on the main school campus but others house students out of the way in digs on the other side of town. Be sure to know which of these you're looking at and whether either would fit with your child's character.

Don’t assume single en suite rooms are essential: many younger children in particular like the camaraderie of dormitories. Most important is the atmosphere. Could you imagine your child living here? Does it feel friendly? Are pupils happy and enthusiastic? And most of all – is your child keen to join?