The future of private school fees

We’ve analysed independent day school fees to show what parents can expect to pay throughout their child’s education. Our calculations include VAT and assume annual increases of 4–4.5 per cent. You can create your own calculations by visiting the ‘Money Matters’ section on any of our independent school pages and using the school fees calculator created in partnership with Amber River.

Parents whose child starts reception at a high-end London school in 2027 could spend more than £790,000 by the time A levels are completed. A school priced closer to the UK average comes in lower – about £430,000 over 14 years – but that’s still a major investment. Look beyond London and the South East, and beyond the biggest names, and we’ve found you can spend under £300,000 to get a good private school education.

But there’s no denying that all these sums are still a lot of money. No surprise, then, that many families opt to use both state and private sectors. 

Managing the costs

While schools have been known to help families spread the cost, and the common move from termly to monthly payments has assisted some with budgeting, many parents also look at longer-term ways to make the money they put to one side for fees go a little further. 

‘The biggest mistake we see is families assuming that if Year 7 feels affordable, sixth form will be too,’ says Cheryl Warner, independent financial planner at Amber River SFIA. ‘We encourage families to think about affordability across the whole course of a child’s education, rather than term by term, and to consider how this fits into their wider financial patterns and goals. Personal finances, cashflow, savings, interest and tax reliefs are often viewed in isolation. Our role is to take a more holistic view, bringing these different elements together to help families work towards their school fee goals.’

Not all London day schools cost the same as Thomas’s Kensington (£34,989 at the top end) or Westminster School (£52,446 in sixth form). Some London schools are far more affordable – for example: 

• Blackheath High GDST Junior School – up to £21,162

• St Benedict’s School, Ealing – up to £27,885

• Fidelis College, Upper Norwood – up to £24,120

Beyond the capital, fees drop further:

• BGS (Bristol Grammar School) Junior – up to £15,156

• The Froebelian School, Leeds - up to £13,996

• Portsmouth High Prep School, Hampshire – up to £14,886

• Bolton School (Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions) – up to £15,792

• Bablake School, Coventry – up to £19,825

• Bury Grammar School, Lancashire – up to £17,316 

These are a few examples showing that while elite London schools and their considerable fees dominate the headlines, there are still relatively affordable independent options across the country. 

Historically, private schools – as education providers – were exempt from charging VAT on their fees. Most are also registered charities, meaning they received an 80 per cent discount on business rates (another type of tax). 

However, the Labour government elected in 2024 argued that these ‘tax breaks’ unfairly favoured the private sector. As a result, since January 2025, VAT at 20 per cent has been charged on school fees. From April 2025, charitable schools also lost their business rates discount – another cost to be covered, albeit a much smaller one for most schools.

It will take years before an accurate assessment can be made of the impact of VAT on school fees. It remains to be seen how schools will balance maintaining quality with keeping fees affordable for their existing families and future intakes. Possible knock-ons include schools reducing staff numbers, scaling back extracurricular activities or trimming bursary and scholarship budgets. 

In March 2026, we asked: Is private school still worth it? Such is demand from UK and overseas families, it appears that, despite price hikes, a British private school education remains attractive.

In the summer of 2025, The Good Schools Guide conducted a survey of 2,000 parents representative of the UK population. Fifty per cent told us that they would choose private school for their children if they could afford to. 

Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, advises parents to think carefully before committing: 

‘Private schools don’t hold a monopoly on good grades and an academically able child with engaged parents is likely to succeed wherever they are educated. But independent schools still offer time, resources and a nurturing setting that builds confidence and talent. For parents, the longer school day fits working life, and avoiding the state school lottery will always appeal.’ 

As sure as death and taxes, school fees will continue to rise. But by how much? And can schools and parents manage these changes? 

Melanie Sanderson believes that there may be a little relief down the line: ‘Schools tend to operate with tight margins; few, if any, are making large profits or adding much to their reserves. Everything that comes in goes straight back out again on salaries, maintenance, utilities and food. But schools know that constant fee increases above inflation will eventually price out more and more families. 

The top tier of highly selective, expensive schools – particularly in London and the South East – will continue to play by their own rules. Elsewhere, though, schools must work hard not to lose touch with their traditional market. Honest conversations are needed with parents and the wider community so that schools can identify what really matters and what are simply ‘nice-to-haves’. 

I suspect those schools that do the simple things well – small classes, academic focus and strong pastoral care – while keeping costs low and operating in a business-like fashion, have a secure future ahead. And the more schools that manage it, the more appealing that model of education will become.’