Fee freezes and a boom in bursaries

It's clear that independent schools cannot continue with the trend of inflation-busting fee increases

Alistair Brownlow, headteacher, Rochester Independent College

During the recession, some of the UK's best independent schools are doing their utmost to help parents continue to afford a great education. We're seeing a number of initiatives being introduced, from fee freezes to energy-efficiency reviews and investments overseas to generate more funds for bursaries and grants in the UK.

Find out how some schools are helping parents and what you can do if you're struggling to afford the fees.

Fee limits...

Good independent schools are listening to parents and are aware of the pressures the recession has placed on many people. As a result, many schools in the sector are introducing fee increases well below the rate of inflation in an attempt to ease the pressure on parents.

Sherborne Girls has set a fee increase of 2.2 per cent this year, one of the lowest that we've heard of so far. Its headteacher Jenny Dwyer comments, "We have been able to keep fee increases to an absolute minimum this year and have increased bursarial support to offer some 100 per cent free places." Eton College has slashed last year's fee increase from 6 per cent to 2.8 per cent, and will divert funds from capital projects to subsidise this. 

... and fee freezes

Some schools have gone even further, for instance Rochester Independent College, which has introduced a three-year fee freeze. Alistair Brownlow, its head, explains: "It's clear that independent schools cannot continue with the trend of inflation-busting fee increases each year. The college has made a commitment to buck the national trend and freeze its fees for three years."

To finance this, the college has looked hard at eliminating waste, saving energy and using the campus as a conference venue through the holidays.

"There has been no compromise on class size or quality of teaching," says Alistair. "This commitment to holding the fees goes alongside our widening access to the education we offer for those in receipt of an ever expanding scholarships and bursary programme."

Llandovery College, a popular independent school in Carmarthenshire, has also announced a zero rise in fees, saying that it recognises ‘the genuine financial uncertainty facing so many parents'.

Boosting bursaries

Around £200 million was provided in fee-support at independent schools last year and this figure is definitely growing (source: Horwarth, Clark Whitehill LLP Benchmarking report, August 2009). As a result, schools are offering more bursaries and/or more generous awards. "The trend in recent years has been to move away from scholarships to offer bursaries in independent schools," says Jonathan Cook, head of the Independent Schools' Bursars Association. This suggests that schools are responding to the recession by helping poorer pupils rather than rewarding the most able through scholarships.

King Edward's School, Witley, has introduced day bursaries to help local families on modest means attend the school. King Edward's is also involved in the government's Pathfinder programme, whereby local authorities sponsor pupils to attend independent schools, and the school hopes to increase the number of placements they offer under this scheme.

At least 30 per cent of children at independent schools receive some help with fees, and the upward trend in terms of bursarial support is an encouraging sign for parents.

Find out more about bursaries at independent schools

More free places

The move towards creating more free places at independent schools is also gathering pace, as leading schools like St Paul's in London and Dulwich College move towards being needs-blind - offering places based on merit, rather than ability to pay.

This may take time but the 100 per cent free place is becoming a reality rather than a pipe dream at a number of independent schools, as Martin Boden comments, "We do have a number of children who are on 100 per cent bursaries and I would love there to be more.

Case by case help

Asking for help is essential, if you feel that your family deserves or needs it, and bursars and headteachers are more open to dialogue than ever before. This year, heads have reported a 90 per cent increase in queries from families regarding fee-support, so don't feel timid about asking.

"We're definitely seeing more parents asking for help," says Martin. "They're hardworking professionals whose sectors have been more affected by the economic situation than others. We treat each case on an individual basis. The bursar and I work very closely with these families and we'll do our absolute best to manage the situation for them.

"We've been very successful in being able to keep the vast majority of children whose families have been experiencing difficulties this year. We have bursaries, I make discretionary awards, but they have to be carefully focused where the need is greatest. It could be it's a fee-related enquiry, or an event taking place from which a child would benefit enormously which the child would benefit from and that may have to come from a separate fund."

Limiting projects to afford essentials

In recent years, many schools were under pressure to create state-of-the-art theatres, recording studios, sports facilities to compete in what the press labelled an ‘arms race' among independents. Many schools are limiting capital spending so that they can continue to afford essential maintenance work and maintain high academic standards.

Most of the schools that we speak to have mentioned this form of budgeting. "Are we going to build a new swimming pool and charge parents for it? No, of course not," says Martin Boden. "It's about maintaining the balance between being conscious of the affordability and maintaining the very high quality education that we offer to parents."

A reduction in capital spend should help schools manage cash flow and build up some reserves. Any large debt on a school's balance sheet in current times could leave it exposed, if the bank decides to call it in. A number of schools have closed in the last year because of this action, causing huge disruption to pupils and their progress.

Careful housekeeping

Schools are looking hard at their costs and the balance sheet to limit fee increases and safeguard their future. "There are some schools out there that have made staff redundant," says Jonathan Cook, and this may have to continue in the recession. An increase in class sizes could be the consequence, but, as Jonathan points out, "there's a limit on the number they can include in class sizes because of the physical constraints!"

Investing overseas to support UK pupils

Several schools have announced the establishment of schools overseas to generate revenue that can be diverted into a number of channels in the UK. One of those is funds for bursaries and scholarships.

David Gold, a spokesperson for Brighton College explains: "Our venture in Abu Dhabi, opening in 2011, will provide significant funds to support parents feeling the pinch and poor children from deprived parts of Sussex and East London. This will be the first of a string of schools around the world.

"An additional benefit will be that pupils from Brighton College in England will be able to enjoy exchange programmes with schools in other parts of the world far more easily - and cheaply - than if the trips were being organised from scratch."

Trips and other 'extras'

A number of the schools we spoke to have mentioned limiting overseas trips as a way of easing costs on parents. "We are looking at some of the tours that we do and perhaps this is the year that the rugby trip goes to the Continent or another part of Britain, instead of South Africa," says Martin.

Many schools have second hand uniform shops, or are introducing them, where parents can pick up not only uniform but sports kit and musical instruments at a much lower price than new. Ask at any school you're interested in about buying second hand. 

Have you contacted a school regarding a bursary or financial assistance? Were they helpful or were you turned down? Let us know about your experience by posting a comment or emailing in confidence at editor@tom-brown.com

What if the school says 'no' to a bursary? Help and advice is offered by Dr Helen Wright, our resident agony aunt