Independent school fees in Bristol 2026/27
Independent school fees in Bristol are a major commitment for any family. Since 1 January 2025, VAT at 20% has been charged on independent school fees, which has pushed costs up further. School fees tax planning is a legitimate, non-aggressive way for parents to fund those fees more efficiently, and many families now use it to offset the VAT rise.
School fees across Bristol
Bristol school fees at a glance
- Average headline fee: £24,390 a year (median £22,850)
- Range: £15,144 (The Red Maids’ Junior School) to £38,850 (Clifton College)
- Based on: the 6 Bristol schools on this site whose fees we have checked against the school’s own published 2026/27 fees (24 Oct 2026). The headline is the main fee shown on each school page.
All Bristol schools we cover (10)
Schools with checked 2026/27 fees are listed first. Click a school for its full fee breakdown, the source we used and how much you could save.
| School ↕ | Headline annual fee ↕ | VAT ↕ | Area ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badminton School | £24,426 a year senior day |
Including VAT | Bristol |
| Clifton College | £38,850 a year Years 9–11 day |
Including VAT | Bristol |
| Clifton High School | £23,454 a year Senior School & Sixth Form |
Including VAT | |
| Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital | £22,245 a year senior |
Including VAT | Bristol |
| The Red Maids’ Junior School | £15,144 a year Years 5–6 |
Including VAT | Bristol |
| The Red Maids’ Senior School | £22,224 a year Years 7–13 |
Including VAT | Bristol |
| Badminton Junior School | See school page | Not yet checked | Bristol |
| Bristol Grammar School | See school page | Not yet checked | Bristol |
| Cleve House School | See school page | Not yet checked | Bristol |
| Colston’s School | See school page | Not yet checked |
Fees change every year. Always confirm the latest figures with the school before you make any decisions.
Frequently asked questions
How much are private school fees in Bristol?
Across the 6 Bristol schools we have checked, headline fees for 2026/27 average £24,390 a year, ranging from £15,144 to £38,850. Boarding usually costs considerably more.
Do Bristol school fees include VAT?
Since 1 January 2025 most independent schools charge 20% VAT on fees. Where a school states that its fees include VAT, we say so. Where it doesn’t, we show the figure exactly as the school publishes it.
What is school fees tax planning?
It’s a way of structuring how school fees are paid so that families can fund them more tax-efficiently. It is non-aggressive and fully compliant, and it can significantly reduce the real cost of fees.
Can I still save now that VAT applies?
Yes. Planning can help offset some or all of the VAT increase. Book a free conversation and we’ll show you what you could save.
Bristol school fees are a significant investment, and with more than one child the commitment is even greater. By working with us, we can review your situation and show you how to fund school fees more tax-efficiently.
What could you save?
Why us?
- We have a team of specialist accountants & tax planners – with experience managing the financial situations of high net worth clients.
- We don’t just focus on school fees tax planning – as experienced accountants and tax consultants, we are able to look at the bigger picture of your life, business affairs and family and to find a number of ways to minimise your tax across the board.
- We don’t offer an investment solution – most of the school fees payment solutions on the market are simply investments that enable parents to save for fees. They do not help to make you more tax efficient.
- We offer a unique service – no other company does what we do.
- Our school fees tax planning is non-aggressive – there are a number of ways of minimising tax on a spectrum of aggressiveness, from maximising the tax allowances that everyone gets, to more aggressive means of “tax avoidance”. Our school fees tax planning ideas are non-aggressive and therefore unlikely to be challenged.