The figures come after VAT was applied to private school fees for the first time last year, increasing costs for many families.
Despite the headline figures, data from the Independent Schools Council shows that a significant proportion of pupils receive financial assistance.
The organisation said 183,487 pupils, representing around 34.5 per cent of those attending private schools, received some form of fee support last year.
The total value of financial assistance reached £1.5billion, an increase of 11.4 per cent compared with 2024.
Support is generally provided through scholarships or bursaries, which operate under different criteria.
Scholarships are awarded for excellence in specific areas such as academic achievement, sport, music or the performing arts.
These awards usually involve entrance exams, auditions, interviews or portfolio assessments and are typically merit-based rather than means-tested.
Bursaries are assessed on household finances and account for nearly half of all financial assistance provided by independent schools.
