calculator.financialcalculator.financial

Private School Fees Calculator

Project the total cost of private schooling over the years remaining — including fee inflation and VAT — and find out how much to save each month to cover it.

School Fees

Currency
£

Current annual fee per child, before inflation and VAT.

Inflation & Tax

%

Expected annual increase in school fees.

%

UK private school fees include 20% VAT from January 2025.

Savings

%

Expected annual return on savings set aside for fees.

£
Total Fees Over Period
£285,266.60
Over 10 years, including inflation & VAT
Final Year Annual Cost
£35,184.12
Per child, in the final year
Monthly Savings Needed
£1,732.19
To cover the shortfall by the final year

Average Annual Cost

£28,526.66

Future Value of Current Savings

£16,288.95

Over 10 years, with 5% annual fee inflation and 20% VAT, total fees for 1 child come to £285,266.60. Your current savings should grow to £16,288.95, leaving a shortfall of £268,977.66 — covered by saving £1,732.19 per month.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK private school fees include VAT?

From 1 January 2025, private school fees in the UK are subject to 20% VAT. Most schools have passed some or all of this on to parents, so it's worth including in any long-term projection.

How fast do school fees typically rise?

Independent school fees have historically risen faster than general inflation, often by 4–6% a year, driven by staff costs and facilities investment. Adjust the fee inflation input to match your school's recent fee increases.

Should I save in cash or invest for school fees?

It depends on your time horizon. With many years until fees are due, investing can let savings grow faster than fee inflation, but for fees due imminently, cash savings avoid the risk of a market downturn just before the bill arrives.

Read our full guide to planning for private school fees →