Bursaries rise at independent schools
- March 30, 2009
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Keywords:
- bursaries
More than 60 per cent of independent schools will make more bursaries available as 90 per cent of headteachers report an increase in parents asking for financial support
There is already £300m available in the form of scholarships and bursaries at independent schools in Britain and this figure looks set to increase
More than 110 headteachers of leading independent schools have shared their plans with Tom-Brown.com for how they will manage the credit crunch and any reduction in pupil numbers come September.
According to our online poll (www.surveymonkey.com), over 90 per cent of headteachers said that they had seen a rise in enquiries from parents about scholarships and bursaries compared with last year.
In response, 63 per cent of schools are planning to increase the availability of financial help with school fees as a fifth (20 per cent) report that parents are struggling to pay.
Many schools are beginning to notice the effects of the recession, with 78 per cent preparing in case the economic slowdown takes a turn for the worse.
Almost half (48 per cent) plan on increasing their fees this year and 39 per cent would consider offering short courses over the holidays to help boost school coffers.
Capital projects look set to be delayed, as 43 per cent of those surveyed said these would go on hold in the event of falling pupil numbers in September.
Head of Sherborne Girls school in Dorset, Mrs Jenny Dwyer, comments: "In 2007, the school's Governors decided to increase bursarial support, which now enables us to offer bursaries of up to 100 per cent. We should also be able to keep fee increases to an absolute minimum this year."
It may seem like a bleak outlook but the good news for parents is the acknowledgement from schools that more bursarial support will be made available. There is already £300m available in the form of scholarships and bursaries at independent schools in Britain and this figure looks set to increase.
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Do you think independent schools are offering enough help to parents through the economic downturn? Have you gone to a school to ask for help and been turned down? Email editor@tom-brown.com to share your experience
