The Brightstar Group has announced plans to launch The School Fees Company, a new advisory service designed to help parents manage the rising costs of private education with regulated financial advice.
The Group’s CEO Rob Jupp exclusively confirmed the business launch this morning at the Specialist Lending Expo, held at Queen Elizabeth Park Riverside East in Stratford, London.
The bespoke advice service will offer clear guidance and practical financial solutions for parents concerned about covering private school fees, particularly in light of rising costs and the application of VAT.
In January 2025, the average annual private school fee rose to over £22,000, according to the Independent Schools Council, which represents a 50 per cent increase over the past decade.
Parents will be able to explore a range of funding tools including remortgage, further advance, second charge mortgages and equity release. In some cases, innovative second charge products with drawdown facilities allow parents to release equity gradually, rather than taking a lump sum at the outset. This can reduce interest costs and provide flexibility
when planning for multi-year school fees.
The official company launch will follow on the 17th October at the National Schools Rugby Festival, at St Joseph’s College, Ipswich.
Financial pressure
Private school fees have been climbing steadily in recent years, with the addition of VAT now increasing the financial burden by 20%. There are concerns that without a targeted approach which considers the many areas of finance, many parents will be forced to take their children out of the private sector and with most good state schools over subscribed, parents will be faced with often difficult options.
Rob Jupp, CEO of The Brightstar Group, said:
“Tens of thousands of children now face an uncertain future for their education. Hard working families who sacrifice so much to prioritise their children’s education need support and clear options.”
Perry Glading, Chair of Governors at St Joseph’s College, commented:
“We were delighted to support Rob and his team throughout the process of bringing The School Fees Company to market. There’s never been a more important time to give parents the tools and information to be able to look at the whole range of options when it comes to paying independent school fees.
“It’s great that the launch event will be at our internationally renowned National Schools Rugby Festival, which is the largest such event in the country.”
