The 10 most outrageously expensive UK private schools in 2025, ranked by wildly high fees

If you already thought the UK’s top private schools were spenny, you haven’t seen nothing yet. The government has changed the law so that fees at private schools are actually subject to VAT. So, UK private schools have become more waveringly expensive than ever. Here are the 10 most expensive private schools in the UK in 2025. Look at the fees and despair.

Because of the VAT change, these schools are generally charging about £10,000 more for boarding fees this year than they did in the 2024-2025 academic year. Really.

Remember, parents bold enough to send their children to these schools often end up shelling out way more money than just the fees listed here. Most private schools also ask for entrance fees and deposits for new pupils. The cost of clubs and trips and exams and uniforms can really add up, too.

So, here are the 10 most expensive UK private schools in 2025. They’ve been ranked by the maximum yearly fees (which tends to be for sixth-form boarders).

10. Winchester College – £60,000

WinColl claims to be the UK’s oldest school. The attitudes of some of the boys do not appear to have changed much over the last seven centuries. The school began letting girls in three years ago.

Some of the buildings are legit from 1394.
(Credit: Elaine Hamby)

9. Wellington College – £62,250

This one is in the Berkshire countryside near Reading, making it a popular choice among rich London kids who aren’t clever enough for Westminster. The whopping 400-acre grounds include *deep breath* 22 tennis courts, 11 rugby pitches, nine cricket pitches and a pilates studio. Oh, and an actual golf course.

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8. Concord College – £63,000 per year

The school has a 73 acre campus in the countryside, featuring the ruins of a building where parliament met in the 13th century (really).

7. Eton College – £63,298.80 per year

Henry Vi stares at you judgementally as you dash to your next class
(Credit: Martin Kraft )

Eton is probably the most famous school in the UK. Amazingly, it’s not the most expensive. The fees at a few other boarding schools are even more horrifying.

6. Harrow School – £63,735

It’s only for boys, and only for full-boarders. This must be a great place to send your son if you don’t want him to learn how to communicate with women.

5. Gordonstoun – £63,900

Do you remember that episode of The Crown in which Charles was pressured into going to a boarding school in Scotland, and moped about muddy playing fields for half an hour?

I’m sure it doesn’t really rain there 24/7…
(Credit: Netflix)

King Charles, Prince Phillip, Prince Edward, Peter Phillips, Zara Phillips and Andrew all went to Gordonstoun. (The actual school has objected to how Gordonstoun came across in The Crown, by the way.)

4. Sevenoaks School – £64,257

The main selling point of Sevenoaks is that instead of suffering through A-Levels, students have to endure the International Baccalaureate (IB) because… reasons.

3. Westminster School – £65,976

Westminster has a reputation for being super academic – you get a lot of A*s for your money. There are still some opportunities for fun, though -the school has fencing coaches and its own shooting range.

It’s right by Westminster Abbey, for added fanciness
(Credit: Cmglee)

2. Brighton College – £66,375

You’ll probably have seen news stories about this school before. Right-wing papers seem to love dragging the school for being too “woke” when the school dares show support for LGBTQ+ pupils. A few years ago, the school made headlines for changing the rules about uniform to be more inclusive of trans and non-binary students. Staff and students also make floats for Brighton pride each year.

1. Cheltenham Ladies’ College – £66,870

It’s a very fancy all girls’ school in Gloucestershire. Each boarding house has its own head chef. Really. Boarders who join CLC in the sixth form will have to shell out a whopping £66,870 a year.

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Featured image of Wellington College by RTPeat.