When the School Fees Become Hard to Pay

Bursaries are limited and every school sets its own rules, so the conversation with the bursar is best had early.

A two-minute read, three things to try, for ages 5 to 18.

Where to start

Talk to the bursar before you fall behind, with your questions written down.
Ask what any help would require, how long it would last, and what leaving involves.
Tell the form tutor the family is under strain, and keep the figures from your child.
If the money worry has spread beyond the fees, free debt advice is the next step. A national debt charity gives free, regulated advice online or by phone across the UK. StepChange Debt Charity, 0800 138 1111. Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 9am-2pm. Outside those hours the line is closed. Samaritans answer at any hour on 116 123, and Shout answer if you text the word SHOUT to 85258. Help is free.

The rest of the tip, and why it works, is in the library.

Sources

Independent Schools Council, School fee assistance: scholarships and bursaries; Independent Schools Council, Census and Annual Report 2026; HM Revenue and Customs, Private school fees: VAT measure (2024)

It goes with

When Money Is Tight. For parents whose family is under financial strain, and for any parent wondering how much to tell a child about money.
The Move to Secondary School. For parents whose child is about to go from being one of the oldest at school to one of the youngest.

The first chapter you open here is free to read in full.

Free on this subject

Money worries. What to do first, what helps, and who else can help. Free to read and to print.
Family stress. What to do first, what helps, and who else can help. Free to read and to print.

The rest of the library

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If you need help right now

If you or your child is in immediate danger: 999 · Go to your nearest A&E · 24/7.
If either you or your child is in a mental health crisis: NHS 111 · England, Scotland and Wales: call 111 and choose the mental-health option. Northern Ireland: call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 · 24/7.
If your child is under 19 and needs to talk to someone themselves: Childline · 0800 1111 · 24/7 · www.childline.org.uk.
If you are worried that a child is being harmed or is at risk: NSPCC Helpline · 0808 800 5000 · Mon-Fri 10am-4pm by phone; email 11am-4pm, seven days a week. An email sent when the service is closed is not received. · email help@nspcc.org.uk · www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/our-services/nspcc-helpline · If the NSPCC service is closed and the concern cannot wait, call the police on 101. You can also contact the child’s local out-of-hours children’s social care, social work or social services team. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you would prefer to text rather than speak: Shout · Text SHOUT to 85258 · 24/7 · giveusashout.org.
If you or someone you are worried about needs someone to talk to: Samaritans · 116 123 · 24/7 · www.samaritans.org.

If you need help right now

Published by Kensington Square Therapy. Company No. 16707111. Written by therapists registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). This page is not therapy, and not a substitute for professional support. The full library is at theparentbook.com.