FINDING THE FEES - including a list of Schools offering special awards for children of personnel serving in the Armed Forces

All independent schools charge fees, but they vary widely depending on the type of school and boarding requirements. Here are some typical costs (per term) for autumn 2006:

 

Type	Attendance	Cost range
Nursery/prep	Day	£1100–£1600
Junior/prep	Day	£1850–£3650
Junior/prep	Boarding	£3500–£5400
Senior	Day	£2500–£4700
Senior	Boarding	£4150–£7800

Extras can add considerably to the bill (perhaps another 10 per cent), depending largely on which activities your child chooses to take part in – for example, music tuition or school trips. Allowance should be made for expenses relating to books, entries for public examinations, stationery and uniforms.

Planning for school fees

It is important to prepare for the commitment of paying fees for several years, having in place a strategy that will enable the school fees to be met in the event of death, an illness or loss of income, and considering how fees need not be entirely dependent on earned income, so ensuring that a child will be able to complete their education. Planning strategies can significantly reduce the financial burden of school fees, so take professional advice. Planning can be covered under three headings:
1. those looking to spread the cost of fees
2. those looking to invest a lump sum, and
3. those parents who are wishing to set up a regular savings scheme to provide funds to cover future fees.

Spreading the cost

Having embarked upon a private education many parents experience difficulties in funding school fees continuously from taxed income. There are a number of schemes available that are designed to help parents in this situation with payment of school fees. The purpose of these plans is to improve cash flow and hence make school fees more affordable. In essence, this involves spreading an element of the school fees over a longer period of time.
For example, a parent may be able to afford comfortably 70 per cent of the school fees from income; however, the additional amount may prove to be a strain on finances. In this instance, it may be possible to take out an equity draw-down plan to spread the school fees for the balance of 30 per cent over say a 10-, 15- or 20-year period.

The lump sum

Early investment of capital can avoid the need to use income for providing for school fees in later years, or at worst go a significant way towards reducing reliance on income. The need for tax efficiency and flexibility of approach can be tailored to individual requirements.

Regular saving

Regular saving for school fees should ideally be started as soon as possible. The longer that you save, the less the impact there will be on income when school fees fall due – or, better still, consider some sort of life assurance policy. Income or capital sums derived from such policies are normally taxfree.

Payment protection

It is important to ensure that the payment of children’s school fees can be continued in the event of a change in personal circumstances due to serious illness, injury or death. A lump sum can be provided by life insurance. Income protection plans can guarantee income through to retirement in the event of illness or accident.

Trust planning

Trust planning can be useful for grandparents who wish to make provisions for school fees and achieve Inheritance Tax benefits at the same time. Trusts offer the benefit of transferring the tax liability on future income and capital gains to the children to utilise their personal annual allowances. There are basically two types of trust: one in which the children have a right to any income arising from the trust and also own the capital; the other where the distribution of capital and income is at the discretion of the trustees. Maintenance Trusts offer both of the above.

Grants

The Ministry of Defence, together with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and other government departments, gives grants to enable children, whose parents are working abroad or are subject to postings, to attend boarding schools in the UK. The MoD’s Continuity of Education Allowance (previously the BSA) is covered in detail in this guide.

Charitable grant-making trusts are able to help only in cases of genuine need. The trusts will reject applications unless their specific requirements are satisfied. The Joint Educational Trust (JET) helps children who have suffered tragedy or trauma at home or are at risk in some way. The JET enables these children to attend caring independent schools where they have a real chance of making a new start. It helps by working towards providing a free or reduced-fees place. JET may also provide grants if there is a shortfall in funding, and often works in conjunction with other charities.

The Directory of Grant Making Trusts lists the trusts that can assist with the cost of sending a child to an independent school. This list can be obtained from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) at http://www.cafonline.org/ or by writing to the CAF at Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA.

Bursaries

Increasingly, a growing number of both boarding and day schools have bursaries, which are grants from the school to help parents pay the fees. These are generally awarded after a ‘means test’ of family income and are not dependent on examination performance, although some account will be taken of academic ability. Bursaries may be awarded in addition to a scholarship where financial need is demonstrated and the child would otherwise be unable to enter the school.

To obtain a bursary, parents will usually be asked by the school’s bursar to fill in an application form, giving details of their financial circumstances, supported by documentary evidence and including capital assets. The application is likely to be considered by a combination of governors, the head and the bursar. The award will usually remain in force only until the pupil has sat the next relevant public examination – an award made before GCSE will not necessarily continue into A-level. Most schools will review bursaries annually to ensure that the justification for an award remains. Bursaries are rarer at prep schools, though a surprisingly large number of prep schools do offer some awards.

Scholarships

The three Services offer sixth-form scholarships to enable pupils to stay on at school until they enter Service training establishments. These scholarships are awarded for two years, after which acceptance is guaranteed, providing the appropriate qualifications are achieved and medical standards satisfied. Additionally, many senior schools and a few preparatory schools offer scholarships to attract bright or talented pupils. A scholarship is awarded for academic promise or on the basis of special ability in music, art or some other specialism or allround merit; some schools give awards for drama, sport, and design and technology. They are usually awarded, after a competitive examination and interview, and normally take no account of financial need. Academic scholarships are the most common, followed by scholarships for music, art, design and technology, and sport.

Talented children are invited to compete in open scholarship examinations. The schools hold these exams in the September–December and January–April terms of the year before admission. Scholarships will usually be awarded at ages 11, 13 and 16, with pupils already at the school having the opportunity to sit for awards at 13 and 16. Scholarships at the age of 16 for candidates already at the school are frequently awarded on the basis of GCSE results, with awards for new students being made as a result of an interview and report from the previous school, usually with the requirement to achieve certain grades at GCSE. Competition is strong but, as long as the pupil makes satisfactory progress, a scholarship is normally held for the duration of his or her time at the boarding school. Past papers are available from many schools, which will give an idea of the standards demanded.

Take advice from the head of your child’s present school about the chances of success. Scholarships vary in value – they might be worth as little as 10 per cent. In general, as already explained, schools now limit scholarships to a maximum of half the value of the school’s fees, any extra being awarded strictly subject to family need. You should find out from the school what scholarships are offered, and what each is worth so you are not disappointed if you cannot afford the remainder of the fees when your child wins one of the smaller awards. About 40 schools offer Arkwright Scholarships for sixth-formers intending to study engineering, technology or design-related subjects at university.

Other educational awards

Many schools also offer closed awards to children of members of the Armed Forces, as well as clergy, teachers, certain professions, etc. Some give help to children of former pupils, to single-parent families and orphans, or concessions for brothers and sisters. The conditions of these educational awards can vary enormously. They are often described as fee concessions, reductions or discounts. Some are not available on an annual basis and depend on the terms of an endowment. Others simply say special consideration may be given to pupils in a particular category.

Summary

The Continuity of Education Allowance does much to assist the children of those serving in the Armed Forces to benefit from an independent school education, but for those who still find the prospect daunting it is hoped that the above has helped to explain the current concept of scholarships, bursaries and awards within the independent sector, and also – and even more importantly – how wide the range of choice now is.
There are many options to consider and there is a great deal of financial help available if you are prepared to look for it. The list in this guide provides details of Independent School Council schools who have, at some stage over the past ten years, indicated that they give awards of some kind to the children of members of the Armed Services. Read this guide thoroughly, consult the various recommended handbooks and, for the technologically competent, explore the schools’ websites, but above all, do not be afraid to ask the schools exactly what they have on offer. It can be a lengthy task, but potentially very worthwhile. So start planning as early as possible and do not be afraid to take advice.

Armed Forces awards

Looking specifically at awards for children of those in the Armed Forces, the Independent Schools Yearbook identifies the following awards:

 

• Adcote School, Shropshire – bursaries are available for children from Service families


• Badminton School, Bristol – 20 per cent discounts for children of Service personnel


• Bearwood College – a special fees package is available for HM Forces


• Bedford School – ground breaking means tested Access Award & Scholarship system offered in recognition of academic, music or sporting potential to talented boys irrespective of background


• Bethany School – members of HM Forces receive a 10 per cent discount in the published fees


• Bloxham School – generous support is offered to children of Armed Forces parents.


• Blundell’s School – awards available to the sons and daughters of serving members of the Armed Forces


• Box Hill School – will offer 20% discounts to sons and daughters of Armed Forces personnel. When used in conjunction with the Boarding School’s Allowance, the member of the Armed forces will only have to pay the 10% contribution on the discounted fee


• Bromsgrove School (Senior and Preparatory) – generous forces bursaries are available


• Bruton School for Girls – 10% discount to full boarders with a parent serving in HM Forces


• Cambridge Arts & Science – HM Forces families receive a 10% discount on parental contribution to fees


• Canford School – one Royal Naval scholarship of 20 per cent to the son/daughter of a serving Naval officer


• Cargilfield School, Edinburgh – fee concessions for children of members of the Armed Forces.


• Casterton School – offers very generous financial awards for Service families


• Caterham School – bursaries for the sons and daughters of Forces personnel


• Chafyn Grove School – a 10 % discount for all new day children of forces parents


• Cheltenham College – a Dill Memorial Scholarship every three years in the first instance to descendants of the Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment and the East Lancs Regiment, the Boyes’ Scholarship awarded in the first instance to sons and daughters of serving members of HM Forces


• Christ’s College, Brecon – 10 per cent bursaries are available for sons and daughters of personnel serving in the Armed Forces


• Clifton College – the Birdwood award for sons and daughters of serving members of HM Forces is awarded on the results of the entrance scholarship exam


• Cranleigh School – additional consideration may be given to sons or daughters of members of the Armed Forces


• Culford School – a forces allowance is available to parents who are serving members of the Armed Forces


• Dean Close School – scholarships and bursaries for the children of those serving in HM Forces


• Denstone College – bursaries are available for the sons and daughters of Armed Forces


• Dover College – Service bursaries are automatically awarded; members of HM Armed Forces who are eligible for the CEA allowance pay a parental contribution of 10 per cent of the full boarding fee


• Duke of Kent School, Ewhurst – Special discounts are available for Service Boarders to supplement the Continuity of Education Allowance


• Edgehill College – members of HM Forces who are eligible for the CEA normally pay a parental contribution of 10% of the full fee


• Felsted School – special bursaries for children of those in the Armed Services


• Fettes College – one scholarship is available annually for sons and daughters of regular officers in HM Forces; bursaries are available that automatically provide a 12.5 per cent reduction in the fees


• Finborough School, Suffolk – bursaries are available for families of Military personnel


• Framlingham College – special bursaries available for the sons and daughters of HM Forces


• Giggleswick School – Forces bursaries are available for all children of HM forces entering either the Junior or the Senior School - 10% in the Junior School and 20% in the Senior School


• Glenalmond College – bursaries are available for the children of serving Armed Forces families


• Godstowe Preparatory School – offers a 10% remission to forces families


• Haileybury – specially founded scholarships and bursaries awarded as they fall vacant


• Hethersett Old Hall School – bursaries available to daughters of HM Forces personnel who satisfy the requirements of the entrance exam


• Hurstpierpoint College – a limited number of external bursaries available for the children of serving members of the Armed Forces


• Kelly College – sons of Naval Officers are eligible for certain reductions in fees; sons/daughters of naval officers killed on active service may be offered Foundationerships


• Kent College – an awards system for the children of HM Forces whereby the parents pay a set fee, normally 10 per cent of the inclusive fee


• Kent College, Pembury – offers 20% discount on fees for Forces’ personnel


• Kingham Hill School – generous forces bursaries for sons and daughters of UK Service personnel


• King’s School Rochester – Service personnel are allowed a 20 per cent reduction in tuition fees for the first two years, 10 per cent for the next two years


• Kingswood School – HM Forces families receive a reduction in boarding fees of 20 per cent for each child


• Lancing College – one Naval Exhibition for children of officers or exofficers of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Reserve or Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve


• Longridge Towers School, Northumberland – offers bursaries to members of HM Forces who are in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance (boarding) (CEA), so that parents pay only 10% of the gross fess, the minimum required by the CEA scheme


• Loretto School – a number of bursaries are available to the sons and daughters of the Armed Forces


• Loughborough Grammar School – a 25 per cent boarding fee remission to sons of HM Forces


• Marlborough College – closed awards for children of officers in HM Forces


• Merchiston Castle School – 10 per cent remission is given to sons of serving members of HM Forces


• Monmouth School – Service bursaries are available for the sons of serving members of HM Armed Forces, thus guaranteeing no more than the minimum of 10 per cent of fees is payable by the parents


• Old Buckenham Hall School – 10% discount for children of Service Personnel


• Packwood Haugh School, Shropshire – boarding fees are discounted by 50% on the difference between the termly rate and the CEA.


• Pipers Corner School – Bursaries available for the daughters of Service Personnel


• Pocklington School – reduction of 5 per cent of full fees for children of members of HM Forces


• Prior's Field School – the fees for pupils who have a parent serving in the armed forces are 10% of the total boarding fee plus the boarding schools allowance


• Prior Park College – HM Forces bursaries are available of up to 20 per cent of fees


• Queen Anne's, Caversham – HM Forces personnel in receipt of CEA pay only 10% of boarding fees


• Queen Ethelburga's College – 20% remission on boarding fees only available for the children of serving members of the armed forces


• Queen Mary’s School, Thirsk – special bursaries for children of those in the Armed Forces


• Ratcliffe College – members of HM Forces receive a 10 per cent discount in the published fees.


• Rendcomb College – scholarships are available for Forces personnel


• Rossall School – Service bursaries are awarded for the children of members of HM Armed Forces and may be up to 30 per cent of the basic fee


• Rydal Penrhos – bursaries for sons and daughters of serving members of the Armed Forces


• Seaford College – bursaries are available to pupils whose parents are in the Forces.


• Shebbear College – discounts available for the children of HM Forces personnel


• Sherborne School – a Raban Exhibition of 10 per cent of fees for the sons of serving or ex-service officers, a Nutting Exhibition of 10 per cent of fees for the sons of RN Officers; exhibitions for the sons of
serving or ex-service officers


• Slindon College, West Sussex – some bursaries / discounts available for service families


• St Edmund’s, Canterbury – bursaries and fee concessions are granted to the children of members of the Armed Forces


• St Edmund’s, Ware – reductions offered to sons and daughters of serving members of the Armed Forces


• St Hugh’s School, Woodall Spa – bursaries for the children of service personnel


• St Lawrence College, Ramsgate – children of serving members of HM Forces will be considered for bursaries, parents pay the Services Boarding Allowance plus 10 per cent of the main boarding and tuition fees


• Stonar School – Forces family bursaries are available on top of the Forces allowance, for boarding places, at 10% and 20% per annum for the Senior School and Prep School respectively


• Tettenhall College – reduction in fees for the children of members of HM Forces


• The Elms School, Worcester – bursaries are available for sons and daughters of Service personnel.


• The Leys School – special consideration is given to the sons and daughters of members of HM Forces.


• The Royal Hospital School – fees for families claiming MoD Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) are set so that for 2007/08 parental contribution is just £1,704 per annum


• The Royal School, Haslemere – HM Forces bursaries are available for Service families (5-15%, depending on circumstance)


• Trent College – two Albert Ball Scholarships for the sons of RAF Officers of £250 pa


• Wellington College, Berkshire – places reserved for the children of deceased officers, who apply to be Foundationers


• Wellington School, Somerset – generous bursaries are awarded to the sons and daughters of serving members of the Armed Forces


• Westonbirt School – offers a very generous discount to the families of UK Service Personnel and members of the UK Diplomatic Services


• Woldingham School – offers special discounts for daughters of HM Forces personnel


• Woodhouse Grove School – special assistance to boarders who are sons and daughters of serving members of HM Forces


• Wrekin College – special bursaries are available for sons and daughters of serving members of the armed forces.

 

The above information is contained in the Independent Schools Yearbook.
If there are any omissions or amendments please contact David Lidbury at Bulldog Publishing on 01223 499880, or e-mail david@serviceschools.co.uk