OPENING the thick, posh envelope with an embossed school logo in her council house, single mum Sophie Goffin was shaking and unable to catch her breath.
This was no ordinary mail delivery. The contents of the letter would decide whether her little girl had been offered a life-changing place at a top-ranking private school for FREE.
Sophie says: “It was a nerve-wracking moment. I was about to learn if my daughter was going to get a free private school education.
“When I read Sienna had been offered a full bursary, I screamed with joy. I will never forget the sense of pride I felt and the huge smile on my daughter’s face.
“It was like winning the lottery. Even today, I cannot believe it happened. She’d received a private education for free.”
Sophie, who runs her own cat care business, The Purry Godmother, and lives in Uxbridge, West London, could never have afforded the £30k a year plus expenses it costs to send a child to school.
But she believed that a private school would help support Sienna better.
Sophie said: “Sienna started reception in September 2016 at a local government school. She was extra bright and, in the first two years, hit her milestones early.
“I asked the school to give her extra work, but with large class sizes, she was held back slightly. She ended up helping other children instead of moving forward herself.
“If I didn’t act, she would have been bored and frustrated. So I focused on securing a fully funded bursary.”
Private schools, also called independent schools, are run outside government control and paid for by parents, while Grammar schools are state-funded but selective.
Applying to a private school can feel intimidating, Sophie admits, but she knew it was the right move for Sienna and so set about applying.
She added: “It can feel overwhelming, but really it’s just about proving what you earn and showing your child is the right fit.”
Sophie contacted the Independent Schools Bursars’ Association and the Boarding Schools’ Association for guidance, then checked schools’ websites to see who still had bursary places.
She says: “Most scholarships are awarded on merit and achievement. They usually mean only a small discount.
“Bursaries are the golden ticket to elite private schools. They are means-tested, with bigger awards for lower incomes. Some schools also factor in talent in music or sport.”
Bursary or Scholarship – what’s the difference?
- Scholarship:
Awarded for talent or achievement – academic, sport, music or art.
• Partial: Usually 5–10% off the fees, sometimes up to 25%. Covers tuition only.
• Full: Rare. May cover full fees, but extras like meals, trips and uniforms are usually not included. - Bursary:
Means tested, based on family income. The bigger the financial need, the bigger the award.
• Partial: Covers a percentage of school fees, parents still pay the rest. Extras are usually extra.
• Full: The golden ticket. Can cover all tuition plus extras such as meals, trips, uniforms, even spending money on overseas visits.
Finding the right setting
Sophie and Sienna visited Maltman’s Green Girls School in Gerrards Cross, which was within commuting distance for them.
The school takes girls from as young as two up to 11 and has been operating for more than 100 years.
Fees range from £3,210 a term for nursery up to over £8,000 a term, or £32,000 a year for Year 6 pupils.
Sophie says: “Sienna’s eyes lit up when we visited. It was an educational wonderland.
“The school had a pool, science labs, 3D printers, art and drama rooms, small class sizes and an amazing Special Educational Needs department. I knew she would flourish there.”
Sophie and Sienna’s father, a chef, 32, had to complete forms because the full bursary is awarded to parents with low incomes who could not normally afford to send their child to the school.
What a full bursary can include
- All tuition fees covered – no charges for lessons or exams
- Uniform – including shoes, sports kit and even the school’s distinctive extras (like hats or blazers)
- Meals – free school lunches, and sometimes breakfast or after school snacks
- Books and learning materials – everything from textbooks to art supplies
- Trips – day trips, residentials and in some cases overseas visits
- Spending money – some schools even provide pocket money for foreign trips
- After school care – wraparound support at no extra costs
- Specialist support – SEN services, music lessons or sports coaching if needed
- Specialist Dance, music drama classes – various specialist facilities
- Specialist sports -often included
- Day Attendance or Boarding School – some schools offer boarding facilities others just day attendance
As part of the means testing, parents must provide earnings information, tax forms, and bank statements and are assessed regularly once their child receives a place.
She says: “Having all your financial information up to date is critical to your application.
“Sienna had to do a written assessment for English literature and maths, which helps the school assess her level.
“We also met with the school head, and Sienna had a chance to explain why she wanted to attend.
“Bursaries are highly competitive, and the final decision is made by a specialist committee.
“Waiting for the letter was a roller coaster. Everyone wants the best for their child. It all rests on the letter.
“Sienna wanted to go to the school, and I knew it would change her life dramatically.”
After three months, Sophie says the confirmation letter’s arrival in March 2021 was a “game changer.”
Sienna joined the Year three class in the 2021 summer term, proudly wearing the school’s distinct straw hat and its blue and green check uniform.
Sophie added: “Within ten minutes of arriving, another girl had said hello and invited her on an afternoon play date.
“A free private education can happen. Sienna is proof that the impossible is possible, no matter what your income is.”
Sienna’s mum Sophie
“The school pushed her abilities, and she started to thrive and shine.”
Sienna’s bursary included school trips in Year 4 and Year 5, and in Year 6, an overseas trip.
Sophie says: “That even included her spending money. School meals are included, free after-school care is offered, and you receive all-round support.
“For parents like me, it’s an education we could never afford but one our children deserve.
“During her three and a half years there, Sienna got to use an amazing computer kit, do photography, use the school pool, learn about coding, AI technology and use their 3D printer.
“I was amazed at the facilities and the friends she made.
“The smaller class sizes helped her learn at an even faster rate.”
Top five private schools for your children
Top 5 Private Girls’ Schools
- St Paul’s Girls’ School – London — Fees up to £35,751 a year for day pupils.
- North London Collegiate School – London — Fees up to £25,413 a year.
- Guildford High School for Girls – Surrey — Fees up to £22,308 a year.
- Wycombe Abbey School – Buckinghamshire — Fees up to £20,500 per term for boarders, £15,600 for day pupils.
- The Godolphin and Latymer School – London — Fees up to £25,722 a year.
Top 5 Private Boys’ Schools
- St Paul’s School – London — Fees up to £17,981 per term for boarding in the Senior School.
- Eton College – Berkshire — Fees up to £63,300 a year.
- Winchester College – Hampshire — Fees up to £52,500 a year for boarding.
- Tonbridge School – Kent — Fees up to £16,946 per term for boarding.
- Abingdon School – Oxfordshire — Fees up to £22,530 a year.
Sienna has now finished Year 6 and is being home-educated for her secondary education, but remains in contact with all her private school pals.
Sophie said: “I had only ever dreamt of her having access to that standard of education, and when it became a reality, I had to pinch myself.
“I was also shocked at how many parents are not aware that bursaries exist or that they may be eligible.
“It has been life-changing, and it proves that it isn’t always some other family that gets the gold ticket.
“Government schools suit many people, but for Sienn,a the system wasn’t working.
“I was also stunned that many of my friends had no idea bursaries existed or that they would be eligible.
“It is possible to win a bursary place. If you don’t get one the first year, keep trying.
“It’s the golden ticket to helping a child like Sienna learn at the speed she needs to and thrive.
“Many children do that at standard schools. I was lucky enough that Sienna secured a bursary place.
“A free private education can happen. Sienna is proof that the impossible is possible, no matter what your income is.”
List of private schools offering free places
TRY these big-name schools which offer ‘transformational bursaries’ of 100% or even more.
- Benenden School – Princess Anne’s old school offers means-tested bursaries up to 110%, covering fees plus extras such as uniforms, trips). School fees are over £56,000 a year for boarding
- Bolton School -14% of bursary recipients at Sir Ian McKellen’s old school pay no fees.
- Christ’s Hospital – This West Sussex school with a Tutor uniform boasts the UK’s most generous bursary scheme; 665 out of 857 students are on bursaries, with nearly 300 receiving 90% off the fees.
- Eton College – The alma mater of Prince William and Boris Johnson spends over £7m a year on bursaries, with the average subsidy being around 70% per student, while some places are fully funded.
- Fettes College- Tony Blair’s former school, in Edinburgh, offers 100% means-tested bursaries for eligible pupils.
- Gordonstoun – At King Charles’ old school, about 34% of students receive means-tested bursaries, some exceeding 100% with a top up for travel and uniform.
- Latymer Upper School (London) – At Hugh Grant’s old school a quarter of students are on bursaries, ranging from 25% to 100% of fees.
- Malvern College – Jeremy Paxman and C.S Lewis attended this school which offers means-tested bursaries of up to 110% of fees.
- Manchester Grammar School (MGS) – At this former state grammar school, 1 in 6 pupils are bursaries and 85% of bursary holders pay nothing at all
- Radley College – The Keys Award provides fully funded places (including extras such as uniform and trips). Currently there are 25 pupils on full bursaries.
- Reigate Grammar School – Sir Keir Starmer’s old school offers bursaries up to 100%, often including uniform, meals, and travel.
- Sevenoaks School – Orland Bloom’s old school has 28 pupils on full (100%) bursaries.
- Shrewsbury School – Spends ~£4m annually on scholarships and bursaries, with some full awards.
- Solihull School – Offers bursaries from 10% to 100%+ (including meals and trips).
- St Catherine’s, Bramley – Means-tested bursaries up to 100%, including extras (uniform, iPad, travel, etc.).
- St Edward’s School (Oxford) – Scholarships + bursaries can combine to cover up to 100% of fees at Florence Pugh’s old school.
- St George’s School, Ascot – Offers means-tested bursaries up to 100%.
- St Helen & St Katharine (Abingdon) – Offers bursaries up to 100% of fees.
- St Hilary’s School, Godalming – In some cases, bursaries cover 100% of fees.
- St James’ Senior Girls’ School (West Kensington) – Bursarial support up to 100% of fees.
- St Mary’s, Ascot – Bursaries up to 100%, supported by school and charitable funds.
- St Paul’s Girls – Provides bursaries to families with incomes up to £140,000, with some receiving 100% bursaries plus money for trips. The school has no uniform.
- St Swithun’s School, Winchester – Offers means-tested awards up to 100% of tuition fees.
- St Leonards School (Scotland) – Offers financial assistance up to 100% of fees.
- Stowe School – Scholarships typically 5% fee remission, but means-tested bursaries can cover up to 100% of fees at Sir Richard Branson’s old school
- Tonbridge School – Foundation Awards and bursaries can cover up to 100% of the over £44,000 a year fees at this school.
- Wellington College – The Prince Albert Foundation offers 110% bursaries (fees + extras) with support extending until age 25. This school was attended by 1984 author Geoge Orwell and comedian Rory Bremner
- Whitgift School – A quarter of students are on ‘significant’ bursaries at this school in Croydon with peacocks in the grounds. Nearly 50% get some form of aid. Some bursaries exceed 100% (including uniform, travel, trips).
- Winchester College – Means-tested bursaries cover 5% to 100% of fees at Rishi Sunak’s old school, which has just started accepting girls.
