More than a fifth of all pupils at independent schools get some form of financial assistance with fees. Scholarships are usually awarded to pupils for academic, musical or artistic merit and normally take no account of financial need.

Many senior private schools and a few junior schools offer scholarships to attract bright or talented pupils to the school.

They are usually awarded after a competitive examination, for academic, musical or artistic merit. Scholarships vary in value but rarely cover the whole fees. Scholarships normally cover a maximum of 50% of the fees.

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