Independent school fees in Sussex 2026/27
Independent school fees in Sussex 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 Sussex
Sussex school fees at a glance
- Average headline fee: £29,499 a year (median £28,164)
- Range: £13,410 (Sacred Heart School) to £39,072 (Worth School)
- Based on: the 13 Sussex 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 Sussex schools we cover (37)
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 ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christ’s Hospital | £33,453 a year Day fee (Years 10–13) |
Including VAT | Horsham |
| Cumnor House School | £29,400 a year Years 5-8 day |
Including VAT | Haywards Heath |
| Eastbourne College | £37,380 a year Years 9–11 day |
Including VAT | Eastbourne |
| Farlington School | £26,100 a year Years 9–13 tuition |
Including VAT | Horsham |
| Hurstpierpoint College | £38,370 a year Senior day |
Including VAT | Hassocks |
| Lewes Old Grammar School | £22,485 a year Years 7 to 13 |
Including VAT | East Sussex |
| Mayfield School | £36,450 a year Years 9 to 13 day |
Including VAT | Mayfield |
| Pennthorpe School | £25,368 a year Years 5-8 |
As published by the school, checked 24 Oct 2026 | Horsham |
| Sacred Heart School | £13,410 a year Years 3 to 6 day |
Including VAT | East Sussex |
| Slindon College | £26,154 a year Years 7–13 day |
Including VAT | Arundel |
| St Andrew’s Prep | £28,164 a year Years 7 to 8 day |
Including VAT | Eastbourne |
| Westbourne House School | £27,675 a year Years 5–8 |
Including VAT | Chichester |
| Worth School | £39,072 a year Senior day |
Including VAT | Crawley |
| Ardingly College | See school page | Not yet checked | Haywards Heath |
| Battle Abbey School | See school page | Not yet checked | East Sussex |
| Brighton College | See school page | Not yet checked | Brighton |
| Buckswood School | See school page | Not yet checked | East Sussex |
| Burgess Hill Girls | See school page | Not yet checked | Burgess Hill |
| Cottesmore School | See school page | Not yet checked | Crawley |
| Darvell School | See school page | Not yet checked | Robertsbridge |
| Dorset House School | See school page | Not yet checked | Pulborough |
| Great Ballard School | See school page | Not yet checked | Chichester |
| Great Walstead School | See school page | Not yet checked | Haywards Heath |
| Lancing College | See school page | Not yet checked | Lancing |
| Lancing College Preparatory School at Hove | See school page | Not yet checked | Hove |
| Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing | See school page | Not yet checked | Worthing |
| Michael Hall School | See school page | Not yet checked | Forest Row |
| Our Lady of Sion School | See school page | Not yet checked | West Sussex |
| Rikkyo School in England | See school page | Not yet checked | Rudgwick |
| Roedean School | See school page | Not yet checked | Brighton |
| Seaford College | See school page | Not yet checked | West Sussex |
| Shoreham College | See school page | Not yet checked | West Sussex |
| Skippers Hill Manor Prep School | See school page | Not yet checked | Mayfield |
| St Christopher’s School | See school page | Not yet checked | Hove |
| The Prebendal School | See school page | Not yet checked | Chichester |
| Windlesham House School | See school page | Not yet checked | Pulborough |
| Windlesham School | See school page | Not yet checked | East Sussex |
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 Sussex?
Across the 13 Sussex schools we have checked, headline fees for 2026/27 average £29,499 a year, ranging from £13,410 to £39,072. Boarding usually costs considerably more.
Do Sussex 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.
Sussex 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.