All Calculators
School Cost Calculator
The real cost of school — from state to private boarding. No surprises.
Annual cost — State School
Uniform & kit£200
School trips£150
After-school clubs£300
School meals£500
Tech & equipment£200
Total per year£1,350
"Free" education still costs over £1,000/year when you add it all up. Most parents don't realise.
Total cost: age 8 to 18 (10 years)
£13,500
That's £113/month to budget for.
The alternative: what if you invested that money instead?
If you put £1,625/month into a Junior ISA earning 5% for 10 years instead of paying private school fees:
£257,532
Your child would get this tax-free at 18 — enough for university, a house deposit, or starting a business. There's no right answer, but it's worth thinking about.
Quick comparison — total cost age 8 to 18
State School
£13,500
Grammar School
£21,500
Private Day
£195,000
Private Boarding
£420,000