Top 10 UK schools for bursary provision
By Cat Sutherland-Hawes
Head of Schools Advisory
All schools now offer bursaries, they just don’t all shout it from the rooftops.
Bursary provision is a good thing. Put simply, it means ability to pay fees is not the deciding factor in a child’s education and offers opportunity to all. Bursaries are means-tested on family finances – income and assets. Most schools set their own thresholds and they can range massively – in some cases a family income of £140,000 may still qualify for 100% fee assistance.
In a move to both increase bursary provision and retain the diversity in schools, there has been an gradual move towards offering more partial awards – 20% to 50% – which can make all the difference for families with a decent income but for whom fees are a stretch. Those schools with only 100% bursary provision can become polarised and that is not healthy.
I would encourage any family thinking about applying for a bursary to do their homework – identify the schools you think will suit your child and research their bursary provision and procedure. Just because the school does not advertise it massively does not mean they don’t offer bursaries. All will. Find out what they will want from you – and it will be a detailed look at your circumstances which you need to both be prepared for and honest about. Be realistic – life is about choices and if you would like to send your child to a certain school but also still have three holidays a year, the school is not going to fund those. But don’t think that because you are not in genuine need of an 100% bursary they won’t consider you – that’s not the case and it is certainly worth applying. Nowadays, schools often have one dedicated person looking after bursary applications or an identified member of the Admissions team – strike up a relationship with them, keep in touch, be responsive.
Crucially, don’t be embarrassed – school fees now and the cost of living in general mean private school fees are more of a stretch for those families who traditionally would have been natural users of independent schools. Schools wants the mix, the diversity and they are all fighting to fill those places. There is no shame at all in having a child someone thinks worthy of funding!
As ever for me, it comes down to the right child in the right place. This time with an added dimension and a bit more parental input. But do it properly and you will get that result. For 16 years I was at the forefront of increasing bursary provision in the schools I worked in – it was without exception the best bit of my job. I know the bursary landscape inside out and can help you get your child to that school.
Christ’s Hospital, Sussex
Co-ed day and boarding
The most generous bursary provider of any school. 630 out of 900 students received financial help last year. Christ’s Hospital is known as the UK’s leading charitable school. A massively mixed population, culturally diverse, academic and pastorally superb. Opens up a world of opportunity to hundreds of students every year.
Malvern College, Worcestershire
Co-ed day and boarding
For those with ambitions and for those who excel, they offer transformative scholarships and bursaries that will put you on the path to reach great heights. Scholarships are awarded to those with exceptional talent and means-tested bursaries are also available so there are no barriers to a Malvern education.
Latymer Upper, West London
Co-ed day
Latymer has long set out to the leading provider of bursary education in London, if not the UK. A dedicated campaign to achieve a school where 1 in 4 are in receipt of a bursary reaches its end, and goal, later this year. Bursaries range from 20% of fees to full fees. They work hard on outreach and partnerships, and really mean it.
Eton College, Berkshire
Boys’ boarding
Eton is a leader in the bursary field, with around 20% of boys in receipt of awards. They range from 5% to 100% of fees, with the average award being around 70%. Often portrayed as hugely elite, Eton in fact has a very diverse intake, particularly in the Sixth Form. They are proud of their bursary provision and work hard at it. They also support Holyport College, a state school down the road, which offers boarding at a very reduced cost. Oft vilified but unsung hero of bursary provision!
Whitgift School, Croydon
Boys’ day and boarding
Whitgift has a long heritage of bursary provision through the John Whitgift Foundation, with a quarter of boys in receipt of significant bursaries – with an ambition to double this figure in the next 10 years. Highly selective, Whitgift describes itself as “a school for bright boys from all backgrounds” – bursary provision ensures this.
Shrewsbury School, Shropshire
Co-ed boarding and day
Single sex for many years, and traditional in its outlook, since taking girls into all year groups (fully co-ed now), Shrewsbury is forging ahead and is a hugely popular academic but well-rounded and balanced school with a very strong international mix. Bursary provision matters to them and they have increased it to 20% of pupils of late, with plans to increase this in the coming years.
Benenden School, Kent
Girls’ boarding and day
A popular, academic, all round boarding school, Benenden has recently launched a campaign to triple its bursary places by the end of this year which will take them to just under 20% of pupils in receipt of busaries. An enhanced Development Team and strong campaign mean they will achieve this, and the school will be a realisable goal for more girls.
Manchester Grammar
Boys’ day
Manchester Grammar has long been ahead on bursary provision, currently providing around 16% of boys with bursaries. Academically a top performer, it attracts some of the brightest and best boys in Northern England.
Alleyn’s School, London
Co-ed day
The South East London Latymer – very similar schools. Alleyns has doubled bursary provision in recent years. Currently just over 10% in receipt of bursaries, this figure is growing and they are keen to offer more. 60% of bursaries are full fees.
Others worth mentioning are:
Hampton School, Middlesex – boys
Dulwich College, London – boys
St Paul’s Girls, London – girls
Haberdashers’ Elstree – girls and boys (separate schools)
Wellington College, Berkshire – co-ed boarding
Reigate Grammar, Surrey – co-ed day
Charterhouse, Surrey – co-ed boarding and day
City of London Boys – boys’ day