The rise in private school fees for day pupils has increased by 3 times the rate of inflation (103%) over the last 20 years, according to new research from Halifax Financial Services.

In 1985 the average annual cost of sending a child to private school was £1,806 compared to £8,388 in 2005, an increase of 364%. (Source: Independent Schools Council (ISC)).

Year Average annual private school fees for day pupils 2005 £8,388 1995 £4,386 1985 £1,806 Source: ISC

Average annual earnings in real terms (ie: after allowing for retail price inflation) have increased by 48% over the last 20 years. In real terms private school fees have risen by 129% in the same period.

Private school fees currently account for 36% of average annual earnings (£27,452) compared to 22% of average annual earnings (£9,381) in 1985. Boarding school fees account for 69% (1985: 43%) of average annual earnings and the fees for enrolling a child as a day pupil account for 31% (1985: 19%) of average annual earnings.

Depending on where in the country a pupil is educated, the cost varies significantly by region. The national average cost of private school fees for day pupils is £8,388. The South East is the most expensive region, where the average fee is £9,573 a year. The North is the least expensive region, where the average annual school fees for a day pupil are £7,068.

The annual cost of private boarding school fees (£18,828) is more than double the average for day pupils (£8,388). The average fee for a boarder is now more than 4 times the £4,045 annual cost in 1985.

Girls now account for 49% of private school pupils (both day pupils and boarders) a slight increase on 46% in 1985. The overall number of pupils attending private school has also been driven by a 14% increase in the number of female pupils since 1985 (from 283,400 to 322,200).

The number of boys attending private school increased by a more modest 2% from 330,300 to 337,300 during the same period.

Ray Milne, Managing Director at Halifax Financial Services, commented: "An increasing number of parents are sending their children to private schools and the level of fees has risen sharply in recent years. Careful financial planning well ahead of time will help to lessen the burden of educating a child privately."