A bursary can save you a fortune in school fees

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Over 30 per cent of children receive help with school fees, whether that is from a scholarship or a bursary from the school itself. The good news is that bursaries are on the increase since the government’s ruling via the Charity Commission that private schools that are registered charities must offer more free or subsidised places to children from low income families. This is inkeeping with the tradition of private schools, many of which were founded along charitable lines.

Dulwich College in London was established in the early 17th century for poor scholars aged from six to 18. Its founder, Edward Alleyn, stipulated that each pupil should wear a coat made from ‘a good cloth of sad colour’ and that they should dine on boiled beef, cheese, loaves and apple pie. Rations were increased on ‘gawdy dais’ and three days a week the pupils enjoyed ‘beere without stint’.

Clearly much has changed (and the beer may not be on tap), but Dulwich is one of a number of schools that is using its assets to become 'needs blind'. In other words, it will offer places to pupils based on merit not ability to pay, thus creating more 'free places' for bright but poor children. Graham Able, the master, comments: “We originally thought that it would take us 30 years to reach a fully needs-blind admission process but we now think it may be possible to get there in 15." The school will fund this initiative through its endowment income of £2.3 million a year, which is generated from the Dulwich estate.

Free places at top schools

Last year Eton announced a fundraising drive to raise £50 million to subsidise "academically gifted" boys whose parents could not afford the fees. Benenden School in Kent, where the Princess Royal was educated, has set up a Trust to raise money to create a number of 100 per cent free places offered to local primary school children. These will be means-tested and last for seven years, subject to yearly review.

City independents also offer a wide range of assistance for pupils. At Manchester Grammar School, 200 boys now receive full or part bursaries. Assistance is given on a sliding scale for those parents who have an income of £36,250 or more that can be assessed. Boys whose parents have an income of less than £16,200 will receive full assistance. At the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle, bursaries are means-tested and can provide up to 100 per cent assistance with fees.

Clearly it's not all about altruism: private schools gain huge tax breaks through their charitable status and through offering places based on ability the schools will ensure they attract the academic crème de la crème. During the credit crunch, though, bursaries in particular may help families who are feeling the pinch to keep their children in the private system until they finish their exams. They're also a lifeline to those in need or going through a time of crisis, as our case study illustrates.

Source: Gail Dixon is the editor of http://www.tom-brown.com/ - the essential guide to choosing a school in the UK

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