I help parents get kids into private school for free

A TOP-NOTCH private education is not just for the super-rich, and if anyone knows the secret to getting YOUR child in, it’s expert Grace Moody-Stuart.

She works for the education bible The Good Schools Guide and here she shares the top tips every parent needs to know when applying to secure a free private school tuition place.

Top schools like Eton College  – which charges £65,000 a year – open their doors to hundreds of students from ordinary families every year.

In 2022-23, 265 boys received fee reductions to attend the famous Windsor school, where Princes William and Harry went, with 105 paying no fees at all.

And independent schools up and down the country also offer financial assistance, meaning families who struggle to make ends meet could see their children learn alongside those born into money.

To get your kid in, you’d need to apply for a bursary, with some families being awarded 110 per cent of the cost, which could cover the fees as well as extras like uniform and books.

In 2024, 9,300 pupils paid no fees at all to attend an independent school in the UK. 

Grace Moody-Stuart, director of education consultancy at The Good Schools Guide, says: “Many schools are looking for talented children who would miss out on an independent education if they can’t get a bursary.

“Whilst it is not easy to get one – the pot of money is not infinite; many are awarded every year. 

“Schools are looking for children who will take advantage of the incredible opportunities they have to offer.

“If you think your child will thrive at a school, don’t be afraid to ask what financial support might be possible.”

The average fees for a senior boarding school are nearly £14,000 a term, or £6,500 for a day school, before VAT was added in January.

But around 30 per cent of the UK’s privately-educated youngsters – some 160,000 – get some help with fees.

Grace added: “A private education is more expensive than it used to be and is becoming increasingly unobtainable.

“Schools recognise the importance of a diverse cohort and want to keep some kind of normality rather than becoming a bubble of the extremely advantaged.”

Here, Grace shares her top tips for getting your child into private school:

Find where the big money is

“A scholarship can reduce fees if your child is a star in a particular area, whether it be a music supremo, sports star or simply academically gifted,” Grace says.

“But nowadays a scholarship might only offer a five to twenty per cent reduction in fees. A bursary is where the big money is.

“This is a means-tested award and the amount awarded is entirely dependent on the family’s means rather than the excellence or ability of the child.”

Each independent school has its own bursary policy, so you’ll need to check the school’s website or contact its admissions office.

These awards are considered on a case-by-case basis, but generally, families with an income under £20,000 may be eligible a full bursary.

For any bursary, you’ll need to provide details about your household income, family size, rent or mortgage costs and savings, and your child will have to show they can work at the necessary academic level.

At Eton, 20 per cent of boys receive some form of bursary support and over 100 are in receipt of full fee remission.

Play matchmaker to find the right school

Research which school suits your child. First, read reviews from other parents online.

Call the school bursary or admissions office. Ask what is available, whether there are certain eligibility criteria and who to apply to.

“The more natural a fit your child is, the more chance they have of getting in,” Grace explains.

“Each school has its own character, its own strengths and weaknesses, just as every child does. If the school is big on music, it helps if your child loves music.” 

Some schools may be more focused on music than sport, and some are more likely to offer bursaries to more local children.

The three-year application rule

Contact the school at least two years before you need to apply – that’s three years before the child would start their place.

“Ask about their policy in relation to bursaries and what kind of children they are looking for,” Grace adds.

“Some might offer Saturday morning classes for bright pupils. Start building a relationship.”

Grace says schools generally only award bursaries at key entry points, such as at 11 plus, 13 plus, 16 plus, maybe a few at 7 plus.

“If applying for an award outside a usual entry point, you are very unlikely to get a place.” You can also apply for more than one school.

Brace yourself…for the financial intrusion

Grace says: “The school will scrutinise your financial circumstances thoroughly, including income, capital assets, loans and expenditure.

“They will want to know where you go on holiday and might even want to know whether you shop at Waitrose or Lidl. 

“You need to be prepared for this, as it can be very invasive. Get your house in order and make sure everything is clear and set up.

“Any suggestion of not being absolutely transparent will work against you and, more importantly your child.”

Be warned, the financial situation is reviewed every year, and the bursary could be reduced or even removed in later years should your financial circumstances change.

Play the long game if you want them to succeed

Your child will need to pass an admissions test to get in, and what is expected of them will vary from school to school.

They should be doing well at school and enjoying any extra-curricular activities, as well as showing a love of learning.

But you can also prepare them for tests – don’t cram scholarship work last minute – and do some interview prep.

“The thing about interview practice is it needs to be the right kind of interview practice,” Grace says.

“The worst kind is to create automatons who answer questions in a formulaic way. What you want is to give a child confidence.

“Help them learn to think on their feet, look people in the eye and enjoy talking about what they love.”

If you miss out…all is not lost

A scholarship is about brilliance, and if your child gets one, it won’t cover fees, but it could reduce them.

Most scholarships are offered to children who are academically gifted or musically talented.

There are also sports, art, drama and all-arounder scholarships as well as some more obscure ones. Check the small print on the school’s website.

“If your child has shown an inclination towards music, that would be something to nurture, develop and support,” Grace says. 

“The key thing for parents is to spot a child’s potential and to encourage and enhance it.”

If you are turned down, some charities might offer help.

Grace recommends the Royal National Springboard Foundation, a charity that aims to help disadvantaged and vulnerable children secure a bursary.

But there are others. The Royal Medical Foundation is an independent charity based at Epsom College.

The charity sometimes assists doctors and their families with education costs, both at the college and at other schools.

The Mitchell City of London Charity and Educational Foundation supports single-parent families with children over 11, but there must be a connection with the City of London.