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How Eton is leading the way on social mobility

Social mobility – or the lack of it – is under the spotlight following the resignation of the entire board of the government’s Social Mobility Commission. If Justine Greening, the Education Secretary under whose remit the Commission falls, is searching for some evidence that progress is actually being made to narrow the attainment gap between rich and poor, she might take a look at what, for many at first glance, might seem an unlikely place: Eton College.

In 2014, when Britain’s most famous public school announced it was to be educational sponsor to a new state-funded free school for boys and girls, the plans were roundly attacked as a gimmick to offer “Eton on the cheap”, rather than a genuine boost to social mobility.

As Holyport College is just eight miles away from its sponsor’s historic site near Windsor Castle, has a traditional ethos, fills 45 per cent of its places with boarders, and is able to use Eton’s top-of-the-range sport, technology and arts facilities, it would, critics suggested, attract not local just-about-managing parents looking for a good school to improve their children’s life chances, but rather those seeking all the perks of a private education, with the taxpayer picking up the tab.

Far from being elitist, it has above-average levels of pupils with special educational needs, and from minority ethnic backgrounds. It also includes more “looked-after” children on its roll than in all the local schools around it put together.

Read more at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/eton-leading-way-social-mobility/

Ten ways to cut the cost of a private school education

Just seven per cent of British children go to fee-paying schools. The charges vary depending on where in the UK you live and the type of education you want.

London has seen the biggest rise in fees, up by a quarter since 2012 to £16,560 a year, according to the Independent Schools Council. “Independent schools are very diverse and of course fees vary,” says Julie Robinson, ISC general secretary.

A day school will cost on average £13,000 a year while a boarding school will be more than £32,000, she says. Since school fees are paid from post-tax income, parents’ salaries need to be high. Mum and dad also have to factor in an extra 10 per cent for outings, uniforms and music lessons. Finance experts know that funding private education is a challenge.

Here The Financial Times give their tips to keep costs down https://www.ft.com/content/f60808c0-d51f-11e7-8c9a-d9c0a5c8d5c9