WISH you could send your child to Eton? It may not be an impossible dream.
Studying there may cost a whopping £42,500 a year but the school offers 90 free places to children from poorer backgrounds – and that’s set to rise to 140 over the next five years.
It’s not the only posh school offering means-tested bursaries.
To get one, kids must ace the school’s entrance tests – normally in English, maths and reasoning – and interviews, while parents must reveal their financial affairs.
Here’s what’s on offer from other top schools.
Latymer Upper School, West London
BOYS AND GIRLS FROM 11
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Lots of super-cool clubs to choose from here, including Ultimate Frisbee, backgammon, origami and aerospace.
There’s also a rock-climbing wall and even a boathouse overlooking the Thames.
BURSARIES: Decided on a case-by-case basis, no income threshold.
FEES: £6,945 per term.
APPLY BY: 9am on October 9 for 2021 entry.
ALUMNI: Hugh Grant, Lily Cole, Alan Rickman.
Westminster School, Central London
BOYS FROM 13, GIRLS ADMITTED IN SIXTH FORM
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Soaked in history. Boys eat in a 14th-century abbot’s dining hall, perform plays in Latin and Big Ben is next door.
BURSARIES: Only for day pupils living in London and they must be UK or European citizens. No income threshold.
FEES: £9,603 (day) or £13,869 (boarding) for current term.
APPLY BY: October 15 2020 for 2023 entry (at age 13).
ALUMNI: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nick Clegg and Louis Theroux.
Eton, Berkshire
BOYS FROM 13
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Particularly lavish. There are three theatres, eight organs, 200 acres of playing fields and buildings used as film sets for Casino Royale, Shakespeare In Love and Chariots Of Fire.
BURSARIES: Assessed on family circumstances. No income threshold.
FEES: £14,167 per term.
APPLY BY: June 30 2021 for 2024 entry (at 13).
ALUMNI: Princes William and Harry, Damian Lewis, and 20 prime ministers, including Boris Johnson.
Bolton School, Greater Manchester
BOYS FROM 13
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Offers something different. The boys’ division can take Russian at GCSE and A level and both boys and girls can study Mandarin. Boys have been national water polo champs for years, too.
BURSARY: Families with income of less than £20,000 may get a free place. If income is higher, they might get reduced fees.
FEES: £4,154 per term.
APPLY BY: Early December 2020 for 2021 entry (at 11).
ALUMNI: Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Janet Smith.
Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, Sussex
BOYS AND GIRLS FROM 11
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Diverse,with 75 per cent of pupils on bursaries. Tudor uniform – long blue coats, white neck bands and yellow socks. Knee breeches for boys.
BURSARIES: Assessed on each family’s circumstances
FEES: £11,950 per term (boarding), £6,170 (day) for years 7 and 8, and £7,770 per term for years 9 – 13.
APPLY BY: September 17, 2021, for 2022 entry.
ALUMNI: Comedians Mark Thomas and Holly Walsh, actor Roger Allam.
Gordonstoun, Moray, Scotland
BOYS AND GIRLS FROM 13 (SENIOR)
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Outdoorsy. Sailing is part of the curriculum and the school has an 80ft training vessel. Only school in the UK with its own fire engine.
BURSARIES: Available for children in eight categories, including Perthshire or sea-fishing families or those who show leadership potential. Decided by interviews and head- teacher references.
FEES: £9,050 (day), £12,750 (boarding).
APPLY BY: Year round.
ALUMNI: Princes Philip and Charles, and Zara Tindall.