Private school scholarships and bursaries
Private school for free?
A private school education is out of reach for most people these days. Fees have rocketed in relation to salaries and well-off families, who may themselves have been privately educated and would traditionally have paid for their children to do the same, are now looking for cheaper alternatives or a way to make private school more affordable. These days, one-third of pupils educated in the private sector receive some form of ‘fee assistance’.
Could my child win a scholarship or bursary?
Good schools want able children. Awarding places to academic superstars, winners on the sports field, or masters of art, music, or drama raises schools’ results, adds silverware to their trophy cabinets and lustre to their reputation. Many schools offer scholarships to attract the brightest and most talented but you do not have to have a child prodigy to land a reduction in fees. Bursaries are also given to children who meet the school’s academic standard but do not have the family finances to pay for a place. Many private schools are charities and, as such, are obligated to extend their provision to children who merit places but whose parents cannot afford the fees.
What is a scholarship?
Almost all private secondary schools offer scholarships in order to attract especially talented pupils. The awards process is often highly competitive but the scholarships themselves are usually worth more in kudos than cash. The value of a scholarship on its own is rarely worth more than 10 per cent of fees and can be as little as £100 in vouchers for art supplies for an art scholar. Even a King’s Scholarship from Eton College is worth just 10 per cent of fees. However, scholars often have special privileges, extra coaching, or tuition in their chosen discipline and additional trips, tours, and mentoring for the duration of their time at the school.
If the recipient of a scholarship is unable to afford the remaining school fees, it is not unusual for additional bursaries to be granted. Schools spend their funds carefully but would usually look to provide further assistance to an outstanding candidate if it meant the child would be able to accept the scholarship and take up a place at the school.
The value of a scholarship on its own is rarely worth more than 10 per cent of fees and can be as little as £100 in vouchers for art supplies for an art scholar. Even a King’s Scholarship from Eton College is worth just 10 per cent of fees.
More generous scholarship funds do exist at the most ancient of public schools such as Eton, Harrow, Winchester, et al, as a result of large endowments and the many centuries in which to accrue legacies from grateful old boys. Scholarships covering 100 per cent of fees at such schools are often means-tested and aim to take very able boys from modest backgrounds.
Scholarships for children with particular backgrounds or interests
Financial assistance may be available at some schools for families with a particular background. Look out for esoteric scholarships, for example for the children of clergy, doctors, or single parents. Licensed Victualler’s School in Ascot gives discounts to the children of parents working in the licensed drinks trade (from bar staff to brewers); Royal Hospital School in Suffolk does similarly for the children of seafarers.
Specialist interests are also supported. Do the research (or speak to The Good Schools Guide’s education consultants) and you can find scholarships in everything from chess to physics, from tennis to sailing. Funding can come from outside the school too – charities and organisations with special interests in a certain type of education sometimes award grants. The UK government funds a small number of places for children with talent in the performing arts with its Music and Dance Scheme.
Do prep schools offer scholarships?
Scholarships, like most financial assistance, are like gold dust at junior or prep school level. Choral scholarships at choir schools can be found up and down the UK and are the obvious exception to this rule. Choral scholarships rarely cover full fees (30 to 50 per cent is the norm) but the coaching the scholars receive often makes them attractive candidates for a further music scholarship to a top public school.
Some prep schools may offer scholarships or exhibitions (the name for a minor scholarship) for pupils entering year 7 once they have had a chance to demonstrably develop their skills – these are often given to internal candidates who have consistently proven their mettle over previous years. Others may provide fee assistance to children joining from state schools in year 6 or 7 to work for common entrance.
Internal scholarships
If you’ve already got your foot in the door and are swallowing the termly fee bill through gritted teeth, keep your eyes open for internal scholarship or bursary opportunities which occur at various stages, mainly sixth form.
What is a bursary?
Bursaries enable capable children from less well-off families to attend private school. The recipient isn't necessarily outstanding in any particular field – they need to pass the standard academic entrance requirements and impress at the interview – but in reality, due to limited funds, those awarded large bursaries tend to be academically (and on other fronts) exceptional.
A private school bursary can be worth up to 100 per cent of fees and in some cases even more, to cover essentials like uniforms, stationery, and travel. They are nearly always means-tested; a process which sees the applicant family undergo a thorough investigation of their financial circumstances by the school bursar or an external auditing company.
Some schools publish their family income threshold below which they may consider an applicant for a means-tested bursary but most keep the exact figure under their hat. The threshold can be surprisingly high, particularly in London, so don’t rule out your own suitability and eligibility. Your income is just one aspect that will be checked. Schools may well look at the value of your assets and assess other outgoings such as holidays. They also take into consideration other financial commitments such as the number of children or other dependents. Each school has its own rules and ways of making their decisions and some are more transparent about these than others. It can never hurt to enquire about bursarial assistance at any school that interests you.
Can schools award scholarships and bursaries together?
Yes. It is possible to hold both a scholarship and a bursary – and many able children do. For example, the child might be supremely intelligent or a stellar sportsperson and be offered a place on a scholarship in line with their abilities and talent. The scholarship may include some help with the fees (perhaps 10 per cent) but an amount not nearly enough for the child's parents to be able to cover the remaining costs. In such a scenario, providing you make the school aware of your financial situation and open yourself up to their means-testing process, the school may award additional bursaries alongside your scholarship to make it possible for your child to attend the school.
How do you get a scholarship or bursary?
The most important thing is to be realistic about your child and your financial circumstances. If your child is doing nicely, above average in his state primary and enjoying her sport or music but not exactly a Keely Hodgkinson or a Sheku Kanneh-Mason, then they are probably not destined for a scholarship. But if your family income is unexceptional and you don’t keep a portfolio of properties, then you could find a school willing to offer you a bursary. If you own a humble semi-detached in London but also a cottage in Dorset where you keep a boat or herd of ponies and maybe also ski in Chamonix most winters, you are unlikely to be taken seriously as a candidate for a bursary – however bright your child. Although, if your child was reading at 3, knew his tables at 4 and devoured science books whole at 7, then you may have a potential scholar on your hands.
No school owes you a bursary. You may think your child is brilliant and a constant delight. You may know he would flourish at this or that school or believe that a school would be thrilled to have her if only they knew how wonderful she is. But remember, the school is not only assessing your child but also deciding whether they want to bring your whole family into the school community. Arguing with the school, nagging the school, or threatening the school will merely make them determined not to take your child. No school willingly takes on a child with an annoying parent. Do not lose your sense of proportion. Schools make their own rules and work to their own timetables. So, some tips:
Be on time and be organised. The school is weighing you up from the moment they become aware of your child. If your child gets the offer of a place and you then decide to ask about bursaries, it may well be too late.
Be scrupulously honest. Answer all the questions – your child's tutoring (if any), whether the school is your first choice, your income, etc – without reserve.
Don't pressure your child. Your child wants to succeed. He or she wants to please you and would love to get a place at Brainbox College, but no child does well at exams or interviews if they are anxious. Always approach it as a ‘let's give it a try’ exercise.
Finally, always have a plan B. Worst-case scenario, the offer doesn’t come through and you have to kiss goodbye to your dream of a private school education for your child, at least for the time being. Do you know your state school options as well as you should? Make sure you’re up to speed on what’s available and not be too down on the local secondary comprehensive options.
Private school bursaries from charitable trusts
Charitable grant-making trusts can help in cases of genuine need but do be aware that charitable trusts and grant organisations have strict criteria and usually require social need to be the contributing factor to the application for funds. The Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation provides bursaries to help disadvantaged children attend state or independent boarding schools.
The ‘social needs’ recognised by the grant-making trusts are usually:
Boarding need, where the home environment is unsuitable because of the disability or illness of the parents or siblings
Unforeseen family disasters, such as the sudden death of the breadwinner when a child is already at school
Need for continuity when a pupil is in the middle of a GCSE or A-level course and a change in parental circumstances threatens their place at the school
Need for special education where there is a genuine recognised learning difficulty which cannot be catered for at a state school.
