Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to get financial help with school fees?

My child has exeptional musical ability. What are the most appropriate schools?

My child has exceptional ability in dance. What are the most appropriate schools?

Do independent schools take children at all levels of ability?

My child has Special Educational Needs. What should I do?
Do children learn more at independent schools?

Are independent school pupils 'hot-housed'?

Is there favouritism shown by universities towards independent school pupils, or do universities favour pupils from the state sector?

Do children move between the state and independent sectors?


Is it possible to get financial help with school fees?
Most schools offer scholarships or bursaries or both. Scholarships are not means-tested: they are awarded to children with, for example, high academic (or musical or sporting or dramatic) promise. Increasingly, the trend is to move funds away from scholarships and into bursaries. Bursaries are means-tested. They are awarded to children whose parents cannot afford the full fees. Different schools will have different policies. In general, bursaries are awarded to children with high academic or other promise (as with scholarships), Indeed, some schools will supplement scholarships with bursary funds: i.e. a child winning a scholarship of, say, 50% of fees may have this topped up on a means-tested basis. Most bursaries are reviewed on an annual basis and may be adjusted up or down if parental means change. Some bursaries are awarded on social need alone (i.e. the child meets the entrance criteria for the school but need not show exceptional ability or talent.) Again, different schools have different policies. The Joint Educational Trust (JET) is the best place to advise on bursaries awarded on social need alone. Children with special educational needs may receive financial help from their local authority. See our section on Special Educational Needs for more information

My child has exceptional musical ability. What are the most appropriate schools?
Music scholarships are awarded by many schools. Schools linked to cathedral choirs (or to Oxford and Cambridge college choirs) will often provide an outstanding musical education: details are available from the Choir Schools Association (CSA). Choristers often receive large discounts on fees, and additional funding may be available through the CSA's Chorister Fund or the Government's Choir school scheme. There are also four specialist music schools where support with fees (up to 100%) is given under the Government Music and Dance scheme. Support can include the cost of boarding. 830 pupils are helped under the scheme (including pupils at specialist dance schools).

My child has exceptional ability in dance. What are the most appropriate schools?
The Government's Music and Dance scheme supports talented children at four specialist dance schools. Support can include the cost of boarding.

Do independent schools take children at all levels of ability?
Independent schools cover the whole ability range. Some schools are highly academic; some schools concentrate on children with special educational needs (for example dyslexia); some schools are not selective by ability. Junior schools tend to have a broad range of ability, with many not selective at all. At senior school level, most schools have some selection by ability, to ensure that children can cope with the work. Outside the relatively small number of very highly academic schools, the ability range is usually far wider than in a state grammar school. It is important to choose a school with academic standards which are suitable for your child. For example an averagely bright child would struggle in a highly academic school but should flourish in a school with a wider ability range. The school will be able to advise you.

My child has Special Educational Needs. What should I do?
We have put together some information on special educational needs, including a list of approved SEN schools, information on choosing an SEN school and an introduction to SEN law, view SEN information here.

Do children learn more at independent schools?
Independent research from Durham University shows that independent schools deliver higher added value than state schools. Added value is the measure of the educational improvement for children over a period of time. There will of course be some outstandingly good state schools delivering superb added value: the research looks at combined results from many different schools and compares these combined results for independent and state schools. A much higher proportion of the brightest children will gain three grade As at A-level in the independent sector. The reasons for the relatively weaker performance at state schools are not clearly identified, and may well include social and environmental factors which are not related to the quality of teaching.

Are independent school pupils 'hot-housed'?
Some of the highly academic schools take their very able children far beyond the requirements of the examinations. Schools believe that bright children benefit from intellectual challenge. The aim for all schools is to give children teaching which is appropriate to their ability.

Is there favouritism shown by universities towards independent school pupils, or do universities favour pupils from the state sector?
The evidence from extensive research is that universities simply wish to attract the best applicants. ISC studies the offers and acceptances from every university and has found no evidence of favouritism in either direction. The leading UK universities depend heavily on independent school pupils: the UK's top five universities in world rankings are the five universities with the highest proportion of independent school pupils (Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College, London School of Economics, University College London). Part of the reason for the high intake of independent school pupils is the decline in mathematics, physics, chemistry and languages in the state sector, which is producing many fewer suitably qualified applicants in these subjects. There are initiatives to reverse this decline, which does need to be reversed for the future economic well-being of the UK.

Do children move between the state and independent sectors?
Yes, and in large numbers. It is obviously better not to move half way through a GCSE or A-level course. Independent schools admit children at all ages, though individual schools will have their own entrance policies.