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London’s private schools have it all: small class sizes, first-class facilities, table-topping exam results. But it all comes at a cost. Join us as we explore how much money you will have to part with to send your child to one of these prestigious fee-paying institutions.
If your family is relocating to the UK from overseas, you might also want to explore this guide to family immigration on our sister site. It covers the essentials of bringing your family to the UK.
Private school fees in London: what you can expect to pay
An independent (private) school can offer many benefits, including:
- First-class facilities
- Mission-driven education
- Small class sizes
- Table-topping exam results
But it comes at a cost – literally.
Their first-class reputation is underpinned by the vast funds available to them – and it’s the fees they charge for each pupil to attend that swell these coffers. According to data compiled by the Independent Schools Council (ISC), a private education in the UK is almost 50% more expensive than a decade ago – with costs particularly high in the southeast of England and London.
There are more than 130 private schools in the Greater London area, including:
- Day and boarding schools
- Boys’ schools
- Girls’ schools
- Preparatory (prep) schools
- Senior schools
- Sixth forms.
If you harbour dreams of your child attending one of these bastions of educational excellence, you will want to know how much it’s going to cost.
To help you calculate your budget, we have used recent ISC data to compare the cost of sending your child to one of these fee-paying schools in London with the national average.
The cost of private schools in the UK
The school year in the UK is divided into three terms – autumn, spring and summer – each separated by a holiday break. To get a true picture of the annual cost, parents should remember to multiply the termly fees by three.
Please note that these prices are ex VAT and you should expect to pay an additional 20% VAT on all UK private school fees from 2025 onwards. This might vary from school to school so always check with each school you are looking into.
Average termly fees for different age groups in ISC schools nationally:
| Age group | Boarding fee | Day fee (boarding school) | Day fee (day schools) |
| Sixth form (age 16-18) | £13,400 | £8,200 | £6,800 |
| Senior (age 12-16) | £12,800 | £7,800 | £6,300 |
| Prep (age 4-12) | £9,800 | £6,200 | £5,200 |
| Overall | £12,000 | £7,100 | £6,000 |
The cost of private schools in London
It’s no secret that London is one of the more expensive places to live in the UK, and this extends to education as well. While school costs can be higher than in other parts of the country, many families find the wide choice and quality of options well worth the investment.
Here are the minimum termly fees in ISC schools in London:
Please note that these prices are ex VAT and you should expect to pay an additional 20% VAT on all UK private school fees from 2025 onwards. This might vary from school to school so always check with each school you are looking into.
| Boarding fee per term | Day fee (boarding school) per term | Day fee (day schools) per term |
| £13,372 | £7,780 | £6,250 |
Wnat to see some examples of top private schools in London? Head over here.
Exploring scholarship and bursaries
As you can see, it’s not just the price of property or a pint of beer that’s more expensive in London than the rest of the country. If you want your child to benefit from a private education, but the fees are a bit beyond your budget, do not despair. There are several financial avenues you can explore that allow you to take advantage of reduced fees – or even fee-free places.
- Scholarship: a financial award granted to a student based on their academic or sporting excellence.
- Bursary (often referred to as an “assisted place”): a financial award granted to a student based on the student’s financial circumstances.
You can find out more about bursaries and scholarships in our article here.
Resources
- The impact of VAT on the cost of private schools in 2025: read the article here
- What the private school fees cover and don’t cover: read the article here
- The cheapest private schools in London: read the article here
- Siblings discounts at private schools: read the article here
How Simply London can help
Our schools experts can provide personalised guidance and support on the private school admissions process. Using their knowledge and experience, they can help you select and apply for the best and most suitable private schools for your child.
Contact us today, or schedule a free call with us here to discuss how we can help you to find your ideal school.
Need help bringing your family to the UK? Our sister site Simply UK Visa offers expert guidance on family immigration. Because getting settled starts with getting here.
Article revised on 22nd October 2024, and updated in August 2025.
