Eton for less

Ever on the lookout for a good deal, I thought I’d bring yet another one to your collective attention. My main concern has hitherto always been the affordability of independent education for the middle classes with children who don’t quite make it over the scholarship hurdle because, let’s face it, most kids aren’t going to win scholarships. But let’s humour ourselves today and just take a minute to look at some of the opportunities for high ability kids at state schools to gain entry to one of the most elite bastions of this country: Eton College.

Eton now costs over £28,000 per year, and that’s just for tuition and boarding. Count on an extra thousand or so for the extras: music lessons, tuck, uniform, etc. Princes William and Harry attended, as has many pages’ worth of entries in Burke’s Peerage. The school’s name is synonymous with all things elite.

It was reported this week that Eton is aspiring (like some other schools who have also come under heavy fire from the Charities Commission, I should add) to make needs blind admissions within ten years’ time. To fund this, it is raising funds for an endowment to ensure that any boy who gains admission will not be turned away because of his family’s inability to pay. That’s nice for those of you with newborns, but those of you with children in state primary schools right now may want to take note of some pretty wonderful deals on offer from Eton (of course, in part courtesy of the generous tax advantages afforded to charities by the tax system which we all pay into.)

Beginning in September 2009, Eton will offer New Foundation Scholarships to state school boys in Year 8 who would not normally be able to attend Eton for financial reasons and who are not in a position (presumedly because of their situation and prior schooling) to prepare for Eton’s other scholarships, which require knowledge that they may not have had an opportunity to gain. The application deadline is in mid-December (ie now!) for the January test and entry in September 2009. Given that this is the first year this scholarship is offered, the word may not be out yet about it, so if your son has attended a state school for the past three years, it may be worthwhile taking a punt.

Eton began offering Junior Music Scholarships in 2001. Only one junior music scholarship is offered each year. To be eligible, a boy must be in Year 5 at a state school (and he must have been in the state sector for three years). The level of ability is usually high; Eton notes that Grade 5 music ability at age ten would be a benchmark. Successful candidates are sent to St George’s School, Windsor, as boarders for three years and are guaranteed a place at Eton thereafter. Eton pays for both and music lessons (unless the parents are able to contribute a portion.)

Finally, since 1972, Eton has offered several Junior Scholarships every year. These are awarded to boys in state schools (and have been for three years) who are of high academic promise who would benefit from the opportunity of attending Eton, and who would contribute to the life of the school. Snowdon has heard via the grapevine that there are not always a lot of applicants for these scholarships. Boys apply for these scholarships in Year 5; I believe the test is in January or February and you need to get your application in a few weeks in advance of this, so if your son is in Year 5 now, think about applying right now. If selected, a boy attends a prep school near his home or a boarding school (if no suitable prep is available) and then enters Eton in Year 9 (or F block, as it is called at Eton; there is a whole new lingo you’ll have to come to grips with if your son takes up a place there.) As with the Junior Music Scholarships, Eton will pick up the full tab of the prep and Eton where the parents are unable to make a contribution.

For more information, see: http://www.etoncollege.com/Scholarships.aspx

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On 1 November, I wrote in From London day school to …. boarding school? Are you outta your mind? about Christ’s Hospital School. In addition to the sliding scale fees at that school, children residing in the Borough of Reading, the ancient Borough of Newbury (including Thatcham and Hungerford) and the ancient Parish of Twickenham (some adjacent parishes may also be eligible) and girls who are the daughters of a parent employee (or past employee) of the City of London are eligible to apply for a further 50% reduction of whatever fee they are assessed to pay. This year’s deadline has passed, but definitely worth considering for those with children currently in Year 5 and who can apply in the first term of Year 6 in 2009.

For more information, see: http://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/allaboutmoney2007-08.pdf