UK Private School Cost Calculator (2026)

Regional benchmarks use median ISC Census fees — actual schools vary ±30%.

Current age, entry age, school type, years attended. Add up to 4 children.

Default: 5% fees, 5.5% return (Stocks & Shares ISA). Override to model conservative or aggressive scenarios.

Typical discount: 5%. Lump sum: existing savings earmarked for fees.

See year-by-year costs, peak year, total, and required monthly contribution.

If flagged, increase contribution, add lump sum, or downgrade school tier.

Grandparents can contribute to a JISA up to £9,000/yr. Withdraws at age 18 — useful for sixth-form/university but not earlier years. Alternative: Bare Trust allows grandparents to gift and pay fees directly with funds outside estate for IHT after 7 years (PET rule). Consult a solicitor for trust structures.

Some schools offer 5–15% discount if you pay multiple years of fees upfront. Common terms: 3-year, 5-year. Returns are locked to that school — opportunity-cost risk if child moves. Compare FAS discount to ISA growth rate (usually ISA wins over 5+ years).

VAT registration means schools can now reclaim input VAT on supplies — partially offsetting the fee increase. In practice, most schools passed through 80–90% of the 20% hike. Expect a further 3–5% fee inflation on top of standard 5% in 2025 and 2026 as schools absorb the remaining impact.

In areas with grammar schools (Kent, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham suburbs, Essex), 11+ coaching (£1.5–4k) can open free grammar-school places with results comparable to mid-tier private schools. Many families save private-school fees for sixth-form only — often the highest-value years academically.