Grammar school or private school? It is one of the biggest decisions a parent faces, and the two are often confused. The short version: a grammar school is free and selects by the 11+ exam, while a private school charges fees and sets its own entrance test. But cost is only the start. Here is how they really compare on entry, results, class sizes and fit, and why so many families prepare for both.
- Grammar schools are state-funded and free; private schools charge fees, now with 20 percent VAT.
- Both are selective: grammars use the 11+, private schools use their own exam or the ISEB pre-test.
- Top grammars match the leading independents on results, but places are scarcer and more competitive.
- Many families prepare for both, because the core skills tested overlap almost entirely.
The core difference
A grammar school is a state-funded secondary school that is free to attend and selects its pupils on academic ability, using the 11+ exam. A private school, also called an independent school, charges tuition fees and is run independently of the state, setting its own entrance exam. Both are academically selective. The difference is who pays and how you get in.
One quick clarification: a "public school" in the UK is a private school, not a state one, despite the name. And confusingly, a handful of fee-paying independents keep the word "Grammar" in their name, so always check whether a school charges fees before you assume it is a free state grammar.
Side by side
| Grammar school | Private school | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (state-funded) | Fees, plus 20% VAT since Jan 2025 |
| Funding | The state | Fees, endowments, bursaries |
| How you get in | The 11+ exam (GL, CSSE, consortium) | Own entrance exam, often ISEB pre-test, plus interview |
| Selective? | Yes, by exam | Yes, by exam (and ability to pay) |
| Class sizes | Larger, around 30 | Smaller, often low 20s or fewer |
| Facilities | Good, state-funded | Typically extensive |
| Results | Top grammars among the best in the country | Leading independents among the best in the country |
| Bursaries | Not needed (free) | Means-tested, can cover most fees |
Cost: free vs fees (and the 20% VAT)
This is the headline difference. Grammar schools cost nothing beyond the usual extras like uniform and trips. Private schools charge tuition fees that run to many thousands of pounds a year, and since January 2025 those fees also carry 20 percent VAT, which pushed headline costs up. Many independents offer means-tested bursaries that can cover a large share, sometimes all, of the fees, so do not rule a school out before you have asked the bursar.
How you get in: the 11+ vs entrance exams
Grammar schools select through the 11+ exam, set by boards such as GL Assessment, the CSSE in Essex, or regional consortiums. Private schools set their own entrance exams, and many use the ISEB Common Pre-Test or the London 11+ Consortium test, usually followed by their own paper and an interview. The good news is that the underlying skills, English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, overlap almost entirely, which is why preparing for one route prepares your child for the other.
Results and outcomes
On raw results, the top grammars and the top independents are neck and neck, both sending pupils to leading universities every year. The honest caveat is that highly selective schools post strong grades partly because of who they admit, not only how they teach. A free grammar place and a paid independent place can lead to very similar outcomes for an able child, so results alone rarely settle the decision.
Which is right for your child?
There is no universal answer. A grammar school is unbeatable value if your child can win a place and you live within reach. A private school offers smaller classes, breadth and facilities, and a guaranteed place if you can meet the fees or secure a bursary, without the all-or-nothing pressure of a single 11+ result. Weigh up cost, commute, your child's temperament under exam pressure, and the specific schools near you. Our guides to the best grammar schools and the best private schools can help you build a shortlist.
Can you apply to both?
Yes, and it is often the wisest approach. Because the exams test the same core skills, preparing once covers both routes, and applying to both means a missed grammar place is not the end of the road. Many families sit the 11+ for one or two grammars and an independent school or two as a backup. If you are weighing the independent route as a safety net, see should we consider private school as a backup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a private school and a grammar school?+
A grammar school is state-funded and free, and selects by the 11+ exam. A private (independent) school charges fees and sets its own entrance exam. Both are academically selective, but one is free with a standard test, the other paid with the school's own assessment.
Is a grammar school better than a private school?+
Neither is simply better. Top grammars match the leading independents academically and are free, but places are scarce and competitive. Private schools offer smaller classes and facilities for a fee. The right choice depends on your child, budget and what is near you.
Are grammar schools free?+
Yes, grammar schools are state-funded and free. Only admission is selective, by the 11+ test. Private schools charge fees, which since January 2025 also carry 20 percent VAT.
Can you apply to both?+
Yes, and many families do. The 11+ and independent entrance exams test similar core skills, so preparing for one helps with the other, and applying to both keeps your options open.
Do private schools have an 11+ exam?+
Many do, but it is the school's own exam rather than the state 11+. Some use the ISEB Common Pre-Test or the London 11+ Consortium test, often with their own paper and an interview. The subjects overlap heavily with the grammar 11+.
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