UK Private School Cost Calculator — 13-Year Total (2026)

Yes. From 1 January 2025 the UK government removed the VAT exemption on private school fees. All independent schools now charge 20% VAT on tuition (some schools absorbed part of this in the first year, but most are passing it on fully). Schools providing solely education to pupils with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) remain VAT-exempt.

For a child attending a day school from reception to Year 13, typical total costs (including 20% VAT and inflation) run £350,000–£650,000 in London/South-East, £260,000–£480,000 in the Midlands/North. Boarding roughly doubles these figures. Extras (uniforms, trips, lunches, music lessons) typically add 15–20% to headline tuition.

Typical UK sibling discount is 5–10% (some schools offer 15–20% for third+ child). Only applies when two siblings are enrolled simultaneously. For a family with two children attending the same boarding school with 7-year overlap, a 10% sibling discount saves £35,000–£60,000 in total.

Yes — Stocks & Shares ISA is the most common vehicle. Assumed 5–6% real return. £20k/yr annual allowance per adult (so £40k/yr for a couple). JISA (£9k/yr) can also be used but locks funds until age 18 — useful for sixth-form/university contributions, less for Year 7 onwards.

We simulate each year: does your pot (lump sum + monthly contributions, grown at expected return) cover that year's fees? If pot turns negative at any point, you have a funding gap — increase monthly contributions, add lump sum, or select a cheaper school.

Yes. Means-tested bursaries cover 10–100% of fees for families earning below thresholds (often ~£70–£100k). Academic scholarships (5–50% off fees) are competitive at 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry points. Music/sports/art scholarships similar. Most schools have 10–25% of pupils on some form of assistance. Apply early — budgets are set by mid-January for September entry.

Close. Day fees average £18–28k/yr regionally; boarding averages £38–50k/yr regionally. Weekly boarding (Mon–Fri) typically costs 75–85% of full boarding. Flexi-boarding (1–3 nights/wk) can be ad-hoc charges only. The premium covers accommodation, meals and pastoral care.

We default to 5% annual fee inflation — the 5-year rolling average for UK independent school fee rises exceeds CPI (schools face rising staffing costs). You can override. Fees have risen 8–12% in 2024 and 2025 due to the VAT change, so if planning for 2026+, 5% is a reasonable base.

Not modelled here — use a separate university cost calculator. But note: UK undergraduate tuition is £9,250/yr (from 2025/26 £9,535/yr) via Student Loans; private maintenance costs are £8–12k/yr. Many private-school families continue saving into ISA/JISA through school years for university top-up.

No — it's illustrative modelling. For tax planning (ISA allocation, bare trusts for fees, grandparent gifting to JISA), consult an independent financial adviser. The Money and Pensions Service (moneyhelper.org.uk) offers free guidance.