Schools in the UK for American Families: State, Private, and International Options
If you are an American moving to the UK with children, you have three main routes: free state schools, assigned largely by where you live; fee-paying private schools, which now carry 20% VAT; and American or international schools that follow a U.S. curriculum. School is compulsory from age 5 to 16, and young people stay in some form of education or training until 18. State schools cost nothing, and you apply through your local council, while private day schools now average around £22,000 a year, and American schools tend to run higher. Our guide to moving to the UK from the USA covers the wider move; this page covers schooling.
A few things to know before you choose:
- State schools are free and allocated mainly by catchment area through your local council.
- Private school fees now include 20% VAT, added from January 2025, pushing day fees to roughly £22,000 a year.
- American and international schools follow a U.S. curriculum or the IB, useful if you plan to return home.
- The UK system is exam-led, with GCSEs at 16 and A-levels at 18 rather than a running GPA.
This guide walks through how the system works, the three types of schools, and how to choose among them.
How the UK School System Works
The UK system, especially in England, is more specialized and exam-led than the U.S. one, which is broader and built around credits and a GPA. Children are grouped into year groups by age and move through set Key Stages, and the school year runs from September to July.
| Stage | UK years | Ages | Rough U.S. equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Years 1 to 6 | 5 to 11 | Kindergarten to Grade 5 |
| Secondary | Years 7 to 11 | 11 to 16 | Grades 6 to 10 |
| Sixth Form | Years 12 to 13 | 16 to 18 | Grades 11 to 12 |
At the end of Year 11, around age 16, students sit GCSE exams in eight to ten subjects, including English, maths, and science. Those who continue take three or four A-levels over the two Sixth Form years, which is the main route into university. One thing that surprises American parents is how early students specialize: by 16, they are already narrowing to a handful of subjects rather than keeping a broad schedule.
State Schools Are Free and Allocated Based on Where You Live
State schools, which include community schools, academies, grammar schools, and faith schools, are funded by the government and free to attend. You apply through the local council for the area where you will live, even if you are applying from abroad, and you can list at least three schools in order of preference.
Places are offered according to published admission criteria, which usually prioritize how close you live to the school, whether you already have siblings there, and sometimes your faith. Because distance matters so much, a school’s catchment area often shapes where families choose to rent or buy. The main application deadlines are 31 October for secondary and 15 January for primary, but if you are moving mid-year or arriving from overseas, you apply directly to the council for an in-year place instead.
Private Schools Now Carry 20% VAT
Private schools, also called independent schools, charge fees and set their own admissions, which often include an entrance assessment or interview. The big recent change is the tax: since 1 January 2025, private school fees are subject to 20% VAT, which has noticeably increased costs.
| School type | Typical annual cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State school | Free | Government funded, apply through the council |
| Private day school | Around £22,000 | Now includes 20% VAT |
| Private boarding school | Around £39,000 | Ranges up to about £55,000 |
Many schools absorbed part of the VAT, so parents at most schools saw a net rise of roughly 14 to 16% rather than the full 20%, but private education is still high-cost. Fees are usually charged per term, three times a year, and extras such as uniforms, trips, and lunches sit on top.
American and International Schools Offer a Familiar Curriculum
If you want your children to stay on a U.S. track, American and international schools teach the American curriculum, often alongside the International Baccalaureate in place of A-levels. Long-established options include the American School in London, ACS International Schools, and TASIS England, and most large cities have at least one international option.
These schools suit families on a fixed assignment who expect to return to the U.S., or who want continuity for a teenager heading toward American college applications. They are typically the most expensive route, often above the private-school averages, but the payoff is a familiar system, an easier transition home, and a ready-made community of other international families.
How to Choose the Right School
The right choice usually comes down to how long you are staying and where you are heading next. There is no single best answer, only the one that fits your family.
- Staying long term or unsure: a good local state school integrates children into UK life at no cost.
- Returning to the U.S. soon, especially with a teenager, an American or international school keeps them on the U.S. curriculum and calendar.
- Wanting a specific UK independent school: budget for fees plus the 20% VAT and any boarding costs.
It is worth visiting a few schools in person if you can, and checking the most recent inspection reports, before you commit or sign a lease near a particular catchment.
A Real-World Example: The Reyes Family in London
The Reyes family moves to London for a three-year assignment with two children, aged 10 and 15.
- The younger child (age 10): They apply through their local council for a state primary school place near their new home at no cost, so she can settle into the neighborhood and make local friends.
- The teenager (age 15): with U.S. college applications on the horizon, they chose an American school so they could stay on the U.S. curriculum rather than switching into GCSEs for one year.
- The trade-off: one child in a free state school and one in a fee-paying international school splits the cost and matches each child’s stage.
The Reyes family’s approach is a common one: match the school to the child’s age and your plans, rather than assuming a single route fits everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. State schools are free to attend for children living in the UK, including American families on a visa. You apply through your local council for the area where you live, list your preferred schools, and places are offered mainly based on how close you live to each school.
Private day schools average around £22,000 a year and boarding schools around £39,000 a year, both now including the 20% VAT added in January 2025. Many schools absorbed some of the VAT, so most parents saw a net increase of about 14-16% rather than the full 20%.
Yes. Schools such as the American School in London, ACS International Schools, and TASIS England follow the U.S. curriculum, often with the International Baccalaureate. They suit families who plan to return to the U.S. or want continuity for a child heading toward American college applications.
The UK system is more exam-led and specialized. Students take GCSEs at 16 and then three or four A-levels at 18, rather than keeping a broad schedule and a GPA. UK year groups run roughly one number ahead of U.S. grades, and the school year runs from September to July.
Contact the local council for the area where you will live and apply through them, even if you are abroad. If you are arriving outside the normal admissions round, you apply for an in-year place directly with the council. For private and American schools, you apply directly to the school.
How Greenback Can Help
Choosing a school is one of the bigger decisions in a move, and it fits within a broader financial picture that includes your ongoing UK and U.S. tax filing, covered in our U.S. expat tax guide for the UK. We help American families keep that whole picture organized, so the move feels manageable rather than overwhelming.
If you would like both your UK and U.S. taxes handled by one team while you settle your children into school, our UK tax services pair a UK Chartered Accountant with a U.S. accountant on a single account. Learn more about how we help Americans living in the UK.
One team, one account for your UK and U.S. returns.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, financial, or educational advice. School rules, fees, and admissions processes change and vary by area. Check current details on official UK government and school sources before making decisions.
