The overall annual cost of educating your child is likely to be higher than the cost of school fees alone. Additional expenses could include school uniform and sports kit, school lunches, music lessons and school trips as well as weekend wear and additional items for boarders.

If you live overseas, there will be further costs, including guardianship, travel, any specialist dental or medical treatment and pocket money for day-to-day items.

Many schools offer scholarships for children who show potential for high achievement in academic studies or in music or art. These are normally awarded on the basis of performance in an exam or audition. Scholarships normally cover a maximum of 50% of the fees.

Bursaries, which are means-tested, may also be available to cover part of the fee for pupils whose parents could not otherwise afford the full cost. They are awarded at the discretion of the school, which may set specific criteria. Schools may also reserve awards for children in specific categories, for example, if parents are in the Armed Forces or in the teaching profession.

A number of schools private have introduced their own assisted places schemes to replace the government scheme which has been phased out.

Financial assistance may also be available from educational charities. These normally reserve awards for children whose parents can demonstrate a genuine need for an independent education or to enable a child to complete the current stage of education in the event of an unforeseen change in circumstances. Such organisations receive far more requests than they can support. They do not consider applications made purely on the grounds that parents would like an independent education for their child but cannot afford it from their own resources.