Weighing up state vs private schooling can be a minefield. Not only are there the financial implications, but there’s the logistics of the school run, SEND provision, academic data and pastoral support to consider. All this whilst identifying the school that best fits your child's indvidual needs.
Let’s tick one of these factors off – here’s our School Guide run down on what parents can expect to pay when choosing a private school for their child.
How much are average private school fees?
Factors including whether the school is primary or secondary and boarding or day will affect the cost of private school fees considerably. So too will living in the South or within the boundaries of Greater London.
Independent school costs for 2026 have undergone a major shift following the policy change in January 2025 that removed the VAT exemption on private school fees.
The data below represents the updated averages following the Independent Schools Council (ISC) census data for 2025/2026. These figures now include the 20% VAT on tuition and boarding, though it is important to note that many schools 'absorbed' a portion of the tax (typically 3–5%) to keep the net increase to parents closer to 10–15% rather than a full 20% jump.
Average costs per term including VAT:
|
Age Group |
Full boarding pupil |
Day Pupil |
Day Pupil |
|
Sixth Form |
£15,500 - £16,900 |
£9,300 - £9,900 |
£7,500 - £8,100 |
|
Senior |
£14,500 - £15,800 |
£8,800 - £9,300 |
£7,300 - £7,700 |
|
Junior/Prep |
£10,500 - £11,200 |
£6,700 - £7,100 |
£5,900 - £6,200 |
| Academic Year | 2025/26 | 2025/26 | 2025/26 |
All private school fees vary by region; however the majority of pupils attend day schools with an average fee of £7,500 including VAT per term which equates to £22,500 for three terms per academic year.
All the above private school fees do not reflect the additional associated charges for school transport, extra-curricular activities, books, laptops or uniform (as we explain in our private school 'hidden extras' blog); however, they also do not reflect the large variety of bursaries and scholarships that are available to families across the UK.
Scholarships and bursaries for private schools
According to the ISC, the number of bursaries and means-tested scholarships awarded to private school pupils has been increasing steadily over the last decade and schools have drastically increased their financial aid to prevent the loss of pupils since the introduction of VAT on fees.
A total of 183,000 pupils currently receive help with their fees, which is an increase of +34.5% since 2021. The value of this help totals nearly £1.5 billion with the average means-tested bursary coming in at £13,852. This is the average amount a school will take off the bill per year.
This is the difference between £45,000 per year (a full bill) to £31,148 (bill including bursary). It is therefore well worth investigating your child’s eligibility for an ever-increasing range of bursaries and scholarships.
Means-tested bursaries
Reduced-fee or free private school places are called bursaries or assisted places. In order to identify whether or not your child is eligible, you would need to contact the private school’s admissions team. It is also well worth checking out the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation, an organisation that pairs up low-income families with private boarding schools across the UK.
In order to qualify for private school means-tested bursaries, generally families need to meet a set of specific criteria:
· Low-income families
· Looked After Children (LAC)
· Previously Looked-After Children (PLAC)/Special Guardianship Order (SGO)
· Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)
· Children on a Child-Protection Plan (CPP)
· Children on a Child-in-Need Plan (CiN)
· Young Carer (with significant caring responsibilities)
· Children with significant children’s services involvement ("edge of care")
· If state-funded places are not available to meet a pupil’s needs as specified on their education, health and care plan (EHCP) or statement, then local authorities are required to fund places at a private special school.
Bursary applications require a parent or guardian to share financial details with the private school in question. The forms include a declaration that helps the school establish whether or not the child is eligible for means-assessed financial support. Bursaries are usually re-assessed each year and can be withdrawn if financial circumstances change. The fee reduction is set on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the bursary provision that the school has at its discretion.
Some private school bursaries also help to cover the additional costs associated with a termly school fee such as uniform, IT equipment, extra-curricular trips or transport costs which can often amount to 10% of the actual annual school fees.
Other types of school bursaries
Fewer in number, non-means-tested bursaries or fee-reductions are usually awarded to families who are:
· Employed as part of HM Forces
· Members of school staff
· Have siblings at the school
· Members of clergy
Each private school will have its own rules and requirements for staff and sibling discounts, so it is worth making direct enquiries with the school admissions’ office.
Private school scholarships
It might surprise you to learn that the range and diversity of non-means-tested scholarships has increased in recent years. Although statistically more money across the private school sector now goes into means-tested bursaries, there are still some considerable savings to be made if your child can meet the private school’s scholarship requirements.
Most private secondary and sixth form schools offer traditional scholarships that acknowledge academic, sporting and musical talents, however, there are a growing number of scholarships that honour pupils who excel in art, drama, dance, chess, physics and sailing for example.
Although competitive to win, fee reductions for non-means-tested scholarships can range from anything between 5% and 110% (the extra 10% includes additional fees for transport, supplies, uniform etc), with the average reduction residing somewhere around 10 and 15%.
It is worth considering that the Government Music and Dance Scheme is still active for any child seeking to choose a vocational private school. The scheme provides assistance with private school fees at eight independent schools and 21 elite centres for advanced training.
Are private schools affordable?
Although it’s said that you cannot put a price on a good education, it seems that in today’s financial climate, choosing to go the private route is by no means the easy pathway.
With rising costs of living, the reality of footing the private school bill is becoming harsher. For a 45% additional-rate taxpayer, footing this bill requires a staggering £75,000 of pre-tax earnings just to cover the school fees alone. This means that even a household with a combined income of £150,000 to £180,000 may find themselves priced out when school fees are balanced against higher mortgage interest rates and the general rise in the cost of living. Boarding fees could be much higher – and this is per child.
Should it become untenable to continue paying private school fees for any reason, it's important to contact the school immediately. If help is unavailable, it may be worth contacting The Canon Holmes Memorial Trust. The Trust provides financial assistance to parents and carers who, due to a change in family finances or circumstances, can no longer meet their private school financial commitments.
The Educational Trusts' Forum can provide grants via one or more of their members in their association of independent charitable educational trusts. Priority is given to those in critical exam years (year 11 and year 13).
