Plus grammar schools, state boarding and the best schools in Bucks
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Dear subscriber
Although term is flying by and it feels like we’ve only just gone back to school, many of you will already be turning your thoughts to finding a new school for next September. If you’re hoping to educate your child in the private sector, however, the possibility of huge fee hikes if the Labour Party wins the next general election won’t have escaped your notice and you might be wondering whether the fees are still within your grasp.
More than a third of private school pupils receive some form of help with the fees, whether from a charity, the state or the school’s own coffers, so this month we’re zooming in on how to secure scholarships and bursaries that might make a private education more attainable.
But what’s it really like to be the pupil on a full bursary when most of your friends’ parents are paying full fees? We asked Ostap Stefak, a former recipient of the Peter Beckwith Scholarship at Harrow School, now a student at Harvard University, to spill the beans on his experience at Harrow and how the financial award transformed his aspirations. His fascinating article provides an insightful look at how such awards from private schools can change lives.
As fees continue to rise, we anticipate that grammar schools will become a more desirable option than ever before. If you’re fortunate enough to live in catchment for a state grammar, or are thinking of moving near one, don’t miss our article on Grammar Schools in the UK. There are just a handful of grammar school counties left in the UK, one of them being Buckinghamshire, which is known for its proximity to London, chocolate box villages and brilliant schools. If you’re contemplating moving to this education hotspot, our Parents' guide to Buckinghamshire, compiled by local experts and covering all the best state and private schools across the county is essential reading.
One of education’s best kept secrets is that a boarding school education doesn’t have to cost the earth. There are 36 state boarding schools dotted around the UK, where parents pay boarding fees of around £15,000 pa and tuition is covered by the state. With newspapers reporting fees of up to £50,000 at traditional public schools, and the upward trend likely to continue, a state boarding school could be the answer. Check out our article on state boarding for more information on where to look and how to apply.
If you’re London-based and interested to find out more about scholarships and bursaries or get answers to any other burning questions regarding your child’s education, why not visit us on stand 602 at the Independent Schools Show in Battersea Park on 11 and 12 November? Our team of expert consultants will be there on both days to advise on all your educational dilemmas.
With best wishes,
The Good Schools Guide team
Around a third of all private schools pupils receive some kind of 'fee assistance'. But the number in receipt of a ‘golden ticket’ scholarship or bursary, the transformative awards covering all the costs, is small. Ostap Stefak is one of the lucky few. Exclusively for The Good Schools Guide, he details his journey from modest beginnings to Harvard University, all thanks to a life-changing opportunity at Harrow School.
“I would like a private school education for my child but can’t afford it,” are words we hear a lot. Independent schooling is more expensive than ever but did you know that a third of privately educated children receive some kind of help with the fees? Our comprehensive look at scholarships and bursaries gives you the knowledge on where to find and how to secure financial help with school fees.
Each year the Independent Schools Show helps thousands of families to plan the next steps for their children.
Meet over 250 schools, for all ages from nursery to sixth form. Meet London day schools, boarding schools, specialist schools, and schools within commuting distance of the capital. Over 100 speakers in the talks and workshops programme are on hand to answer key parental questions. Find out how to: find the right school, prepare for entry tests, make SEN choices, start boarding, transfer from a state school, see if you qualify for fee assistance. Tickets are £15. Advance tickets are FREE.
What is a grammar school, where are they and might one be an option for your child? We look at the most highly prized state schools in the country.
Boarding school at a fraction of the normal cost? We cover the main talking points and list all UK state boarding schools. Is there one near you?
The Good Schools Guide surveys the best schools in Bucks, as well as tutors, boarding and nurseries in the county.
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