Do you have to be rich to send your child to private school?

A few weeks ago, I shared a post on LinkedIn asking a simple question: Do you have to be rich to send your child to private school?

The response was extraordinary. Over 14,000 impressions, 67 likes and 38 comments (including replies). It generated considerably more interest than any of my other posts, and I think that's because it touches on something parents care deeply about.

We all want the best for our children, particularly when it comes to their education and future. We want them to achieve academically, grow in confidence, discover their talents, and develop the skills they'll need throughout their lives.

With artificial intelligence transforming the workplace and the world changing so quickly, many parents are understandably questioning whether traditional education is doing enough to prepare their children for the future. Are we placing too much emphasis on examinations and academic results, and enough on confidence, creativity, problem-solving and independent thinking?

Yet despite these concerns, many parents have never seriously considered private education. They assume it's exclusively for wealthy families, that private schools are rather posh, or that the fees must be astronomical.

From what I see every day at The Mount, I think some of these assumptions deserve challenging.

Private school isn't just for the wealthy

My original LinkedIn post was prompted by an article in The Times about a family sending their child to private school on a combined household income of £70,000.

It caught my attention because there's a widespread assumption that parents who choose independent education must have exceptionally well-paid jobs, large houses and plenty of disposable income.

That certainly isn't the picture I see at The Mount.

Our families come from a wide variety of backgrounds and professions. Some are financially very comfortable, but many have ordinary jobs and household incomes that would probably surprise people who assume private education is only for the wealthy.

What many have in common is that they've made a conscious decision to prioritise their children's education. For some, that means choosing more modest holidays, keeping their car for longer, eating out less frequently or living in a smaller home. They've looked at what they want their children to experience during these important years and decided it's worth making those choices.

Of course, private education remains beyond the means of many families, regardless of how much they might want it. I completely recognise that. But I also believe there are many parents who could potentially make it work and have never explored the possibility because they assume it's financially out of reach.

"I was under the misapprehension that the private school sector was full of snobbery but the Mount have shattered that illusion and I'm glad."
Irene F (Mount parent)

So how much does private school actually cost?

Private school fees vary enormously. Some of the country's most prestigious schools charge tens of thousands of pounds every year, and understandably, those figures often dominate the headlines.

But smaller preparatory schools, particularly in the North of England, can be considerably more accessible than many people realise.

At The Mount, our current school fees are £1,181 per month, including VAT. It's a substantial financial commitment for most families, but when you break that figure down across the school day, it works out at approximately £10.95 an hour.

I think that's an interesting way of looking at it, particularly when you consider what's actually included.

Unlike some schools, where the advertised fees can be just the beginning, we've deliberately structured ours to include the vast majority of what children experience throughout the school year.

That includes freshly prepared meals cooked on site, swimming lessons, tennis coaching, school trips and a wide range of extracurricular activities, alongside specialist teaching, performances and the experiences we create throughout the year. Even many of our family and community events form part of school life, with relatively few additional charges.

We've also kept our fees consistent throughout the prep school. Parents aren't faced with significant increases simply because their child progresses from one year group to the next.

For families trying to plan their finances, knowing what's included and having greater certainty about future costs can make an enormous difference.

A world-class education, with the results to prove it

Naturally, one of the most important considerations for any parent is the quality of education their child will receive.

The Mount has been recognised among the top 10% of independent schools worldwide, and we're the only independent prep school in the North of England to have achieved this world-class status alongside the highest ISI recognition.

Our latest Independent Schools Inspectorate inspection identified a significant strength in our approach to children's mental health and wellbeing, recognising its positive impact on their personal development and academic achievement. Inspectors also found that pupils' work frequently exceeds national age-related expectations.

Our 2026 SATs results provide further evidence of the high academic standards we expect. Every Year 6 pupil achieved the expected standard in both Reading and Maths, with 77% achieving greater depth in each subject. In Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar, 92% met the expected standard, with 77% achieving greater depth.

These are exceptional results, and we're excited to see where they place The Mount nationally once the full comparative figures are available (we anticipate top 0.1%).

This year, we've also received ten awards, recognising everything from our educational approach and innovation to our nursery and contribution to the wider community. It's wonderful recognition for a relatively small school in Huddersfield, and a testament to the incredible work of our team.

But as important as academic results and awards are, they're only part of what makes The Mount special.

An extraordinary childhood, with extraordinary opportunities

Our children come to school each day in a beautiful Victorian mansion, surrounded by grounds and facilities that encourage them to explore, question, create and enjoy being children.

They might spend a morning designing and building something aboard our 1960s London double-decker bus, perform or debate in the Imaginarium, discover the Nautilus aquarium, or explore music and art in our recently completed Creative Arts Suite, with its beautiful exposed beams and inspiring creative spaces.

Beyond the classroom, there's a football pitch, basketball court, climbing walls, table tennis, a substantial library and plenty of opportunities for sport, creativity and adventure. We even have music playing amongst the trees, because we believe the environment children grow up in should inspire them.

Our children also enjoy opportunities such as LAMDA, swimming, tennis, drama, art and specialist music teaching. Throughout the year, school trips, visiting performers, guest speakers and events such as our Fireworks Night and Christmas celebrations create experiences that children and their families will remember for years to come.

We've invested heavily in these spaces and opportunities because we believe education should be about discovering what you're capable of, developing the confidence to try new things and finding talents you might never otherwise have known you possessed.

That investment continues, including our beautiful new Creative Arts Suite and the development of a complete educational journey. Children can now join The Mount Nursery from six months old, continue through Reception and the prep school until eleven, and access our tuition provision through to sixteen.

And we want parents to feel part of the experience too. From our Hubb coffee van at the school entrance to the events and opportunities we create for families, we're building a school community where parents can get to know one another and feel involved in their children's education.

We exist to make childhood unforgettable, and that's the standard against which we measure everything we do.

Is it worth making sacrifices for?

Ultimately, that's something only you can decide.

Every family has different priorities, responsibilities and financial circumstances. For some, paying for private education might mean giving up other things they'd otherwise enjoy. For others, the financial commitment simply won't be manageable, and I understand that completely.

But when you consider the academic results, specialist teaching, beautiful facilities, freshly prepared meals, swimming and tennis lessons, school trips, extracurricular activities and the sheer number of opportunities available, I think it puts the fees into a different perspective.

For many of our parents, those opportunities are why they've chosen to make the financial commitment. They see the difference it makes to their children, both academically and personally, and feel the sacrifices are worthwhile.

I've seen children arrive at The Mount struggling academically or lacking confidence, only to flourish when they find themselves in an environment where they're understood, encouraged and given the right support. Seeing those transformations is one of the most rewarding parts of being involved in education.

And that's what I want more parents to discover: just how much a school can influence a child's confidence, opportunities and outlook on life.

Perhaps it's more achievable than you think

The response to my original LinkedIn post encouraged me to talk about this subject more openly. If so many people are interested in affordability, perhaps we need to do more to explain what independent education actually costs and what families receive for that investment.

You can read my original LinkedIn post and join the discussion here. If you're on LinkedIn, I'd love you to add your thoughts, whether you've considered private education, decided against it or found a way to make it work.

And if you've always assumed private school was beyond your reach, I'd particularly encourage you to come and visit The Mount.

Walk around the mansion and grounds, meet our teachers, explore the London bus, Imaginarium, Nautilus and our beautiful new creative spaces. See the children enjoying their day and experience the atmosphere for yourself.

Then decide whether the education and experiences we offer are something you'd value for your child, and whether the financial commitment could work for your family.

You might be surprised by what you discover.

Come and see what £10.95 an hour actually looks like.

Arrange a visit to The Mount