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Independent schools

A private school education is the dream for many parents. Whether you call it public, private, independent or fee-paying, we explore your options in the UK, how to get your child a place, and the damage it may do to your bank balance.

Essential reading

Male and female pupils at Stamford School walking together

Private schools in the UK

UK Schools

In the UK, 2,500 private schools offer a range of educational styles and academic levels. Here’s everything you need to know.

A small school boy carrying books

Prep and pre-prep schools: what do I need to know?

UK Schools

Prep schools and pre-prep schools are private schools for pupils aged 4 to 13, preparing them for entry into secondary schools.

A rendered image of suitcase on car roof on blue background for a travelling to boarding school concept.

What type of boarding – full, weekly, or flexi?

UK Schools

Today’s boarding schools offer a choice of full boarding, weekly boarding, flexi boarding or even a combination of the three.

The future of private school fees

UK Schools

What will private school fees look like in the coming years? Planning for future fee increases is essential.

Mix and match state and private education

UK Schools

How to play the system and when you should change school from private school to state, or state school to private.

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Our knowledgeable and experienced education consultants can provide you with bespoke advice and support, however complex the circumstances.

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Recently reviewed schools

Reviewed

Acland Burghley School

State school · London, NW5 1UJ ( miles)

Secondary
Co-ed
11-18
1,228 pupils

Read our review

Photo of Acland Burghley School

Reviewed

Terra Nova School

Independent school · Crewe, CW4 8BT ( miles)

Primary/prep
Co-ed
2-13
From £16,530 pa
295 pupils
Boarding

Read our review

Photo of Terra Nova School

Reviewed

St Hilda's School

Independent school · Harpenden, AL5 2ES ( miles)

Primary/prep
Girls
2-11
From £16,560 pa
140 pupils

Read our review

Photo of St Hilda's School

All independent schools articles

Female sixth-form pupils sat around a table in boarding house kitchen

6 insider tips for choosing a boarding school

UK Schools

Our boarding school experts reveal their essential advice to help you find the right school for your child.

A picture showing two boys in uniform walking away from the Barry Building at Dulwich College, London

Applying to a selective private school

UK Schools

A place at an academically selective private senior school is the holy grail for many parents.

Two hands with one giving another one gold coins

Are private schools pricing you out?

UK Schools

Private school fees have increased 8% on average in the last year. Many families feel they are priced out of private education.

Boarders at Walhampton Prep School

Boarding prep schools: what you need to know

UK Schools

Most boarding preps go up to year 8 because the senior boarding schools for which they prepare their pupils start in year 9.

Sixth form pupils in a boarder's room at Rossall School

Boarding school for the sixth form

UK Schools

Opting for a change of scene at sixth form and choosing a school that offers boarding is not unusual.

Putting a coin into a piggy bank

Bursary applications – how your family finances are assessed

UK Schools

When families apply for bursaries they lay open their finances for a detailed assessment. We explore how this assessment works.

The boy choristers of Pilgrims' School, Winchester Cathedral, sit in a vestry wearing their red cassocks and white ruffs.

Choir schools explained

UK Schools

A choir school is attached to a Christian cathedral, major church, or college chapel and educates choristers who sing at services.

Two arrows coming together to reach a target

Combining state and private education in London

UK Schools

With private school fees on the rise in London, there is the option of combining state and private school education. Here's how.

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Common Entrance examinations

UK Schools

Common entrance is the examination taken for entrance into some senior independent schools

People supporting Ukrainian refugees

Find school places for Ukrainian refugees

UK Schools

Ukrainian refugees have the right to schooling in the UK. For host families, here's how to find a school for a Ukrainian child.

Illustration showing a hand placing coins in stacks with arrow in the background indicating growing investments

How to pay for a private school education

UK Schools

Joe Askew of Selina Finance details a range of financial planning options available to parents paying school fees

A hand holding a magnifying glass

Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)

UK Schools

The Independent Schools Inspectorate is appointed by the Department for Education to inspect private schools.

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Independent schools’ associations

UK schools

What do schools’ affiliations and memberships actually mean? We explore the purpose of these private school organisations.

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Is private school still worth the money?

UK Schools

Is a private school education still a good way to give children the best start in life? We discuss Oxbridge admissions and fees.

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Mastering private school interviews

UK Schools

Mentoring students so that they thrive in interviews is key to success in the private school admissions process.

Girl flying, surfing on open book over yellow background in preparation for school

Mix and match state and private education

UK Schools

How to play the system and when you should change school from private school to state, or state school to private.

A small school boy carrying books

Prep and pre-prep schools: what do I need to know?

UK Schools

Prep schools and pre-prep schools are private schools for pupils aged 4 to 13, preparing them for entry into secondary schools.

A child holding a handheld megaphone with yellow roses heads spread out in the air.

Preparing your child for private school interviews

UK Schools

School interviews are key to the private school admissions process. Read more for tips on how to prepare.

A gag cartoon by NAY - Looking over a school wall to see a giraffe and monkey. "They're determined to hang on to their charitable status"

Private school fees explained: what are you paying for?

UK Schools

Annual school fees range from £5,100 to £75,000 but how can you tell how much you need to spend to get what you want?

A boy plays with the children's cash register

Private schools and VAT – the latest

UK Schools

The Labour Government has imposed VAT on private school fees. We ask what fees now look like and how families are affected.

Male and female pupils at Stamford School walking together

Private schools in the UK

UK Schools

In the UK, 2,500 private schools offer a range of educational styles and academic levels. Here’s everything you need to know.

£ symbols on a yellow background

Registration fees and deposits explained

UK Schools

Registration fees and entry deposits are two hidden costs you could be expected to pay before your child starts at private school.

Exterior of Lambrook School of white building in sunny green scenery. Independent school.

Royals pick Lambrook School

UK Schools

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen Lambrook School in Berkshire for Prince George and his siblings Charlotte and Louis.

A child doing virtual learning

School fees and lockdown

UK Schools

We answer questions on the subject of paying school fees while schools are shut during the coronavirus lockdown.

An image of a hand saying no to covid germs

School fees in the latest lockdown: what now?

UK Schools

We advise parents on changes to school fees during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

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Schools offer fees help during pandemic

UK Schools

If the pandemic left you wondering how you will pay your children’s school fees, there may be more help available than you think.

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Targeting a top academic school

UK Schools

We give schools advice to a family keen to set their son on the path to academic success from a very young age.

The future of school fees on a laptop with two fingers pointing

The future of private school fees

UK Schools

What will private school fees look like in the coming years? Planning for future fee increases is essential.

Collage journal two human hands holding a question mark and light bulbs.

VAT on school fees FAQs

UK Schools

Top schools tax consultant, Kieran Smith of Crowe UK, answers your most pressing questions on the new school fees VAT charge.

A superhero flying with a £ sign

What price an education?

UK Schools

David Quintrell, of wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin, answers questions about financial planning and managing school fees.

A rendered image of suitcase on car roof on blue background for a travelling to boarding school concept.

What type of boarding – full, weekly or flexi?

UK Schools

Today’s boarding schools offer a choice of full boarding, weekly boarding, flexi boarding or even a combination of the three.

Paints mixed together

When (and how) to mix state and private education

UK Schools

In 'Ask Our Experts' our consultants help a family navigate their child’s educational journey, mixing state and private education.

Harrow School

‘Harrow scholarship changed my life’

UK Schools

Ostap Stefak, recipient of a 100 per cent scholarship at Harrow School describes his journey to Harvard.

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