The Good Schools Guide
Advice services:

Scholarships and bursaries consultants for private schools

Our team of education consultants includes specialists who help families looking to apply for bursaries and scholarships to private schools in the UK.
Two parents watching their child have great fun on a piggy bank

Do you need help with scholarships or bursaries?

Our education consultants work with families from across the UK to navigate the process of applying for either a bursary, scholarship or both, to UK private schools.

We provide expert, discreet independent guidance to help parents understand what financial assistance might be possible, approach applications effectively and help maximise their chances of securing financial assistance with school fees. 

Get in touch

All our services start with a personal call or meeting. Why not give Shari, our senior administrator, or one of her experienced team a call to discuss your circumstances and explore next steps.

Get in touch

Expert guidance on scholarships and bursaries

Applying for a bursary or scholarship to a UK private school can feel complex and invasive. Each school has different criteria, timelines and expectations, and knowing how to approach the process can make a significant difference to the outcome. 

Our experienced education consultants work with families looking for expert support with bursary and scholarship applications, helping them understand what schools are looking for and how to present their case clearly and effectively. 

Whether you are exploring what may be possible or are in the process of applying and want to strengthen your application, we provide practical, honest advice and support to help you navigate the process with confidence. 

Expert help with bursary and scholarship applications

  • How to apply for bursaries and scholarships
  • Understanding what schools are looking for
  • Guidance on financial assessment
  • Identifying schools where financial support is available
  • Strengthening your bursary application
  • Preparing for scholarship assessments and interviews
  • Advice on balancing aspirational with realistic options
  • Supporting families through a high-stakes decision

Who are our education consultants?

Our education consultants are specialists in the UK independent school sector, with extensive experience of advising families on bursaries, scholarships and school fees. 

Families come to us when they want expert, independent support with what can be a complex and often sensitive process. We understand how schools approach financial support — and how families can most effectively craft their application.

Our role is to guide you through the process with clear advice, supported by insight and experience, helping you make informed decisions and maximise your chance of success.

Our consultants are

  • Fully independent — we don’t take money from schools 

  • Have extensive expertise in in bursaries and scholarships for private schools in the UK 

  • Experienced in giving advice focused on realistic outcomes rather than false promises 

  • Discreet with a focus on the needs of the family 

Do you need help applying for a bursary or scholarship?

Many families begin by trying to navigate the process alone but quickly realise how much variation there is between the expectations of schools and their criteria for making a bursary or scholarship award. 

Working with an education consultant gives you clarity on what is realistic, where to focus your efforts, and how to approach applications for the strongest chance of success. 

Would you like to find out more?

Our experienced team is on hand to discuss your circumstances and to explore the next steps.

Get in touch

How we support families

We tailor our support depending on where you are in the process, but typically this includes: 

  • An initial consultation to understand your situation

  • Advice on realistic bursary and scholarship options

  • Identifying and creating a shortlist of appropriate schools

  • Guidance on application strategy 

  • Interview practice for your child 

  • Ongoing support through the admissions process 

  • We worked with a family who assumed private school simply wouldn’t be possible for them financially. Once we looked carefully at bursary options and how to approach the process, they realised there were more opportunities than they thought. Seeing their child secure a place at a school that had felt completely out of reach — and knowing it was the right fit — is exactly why I love my job.
    Grace Moody Stuart, Consultancy Director

    • Some of our team

    Headshot of Camilla Smiley, Education Consultant at The Good Schools Guide.

    Camilla Smiley

    Education consultant

    Camilla has been working in and around London schools since 2006 and has been advising parents throughout that time.
    Headshot of Grace Moody-Stuart, Consultancy director at The Good Schools Guide.

    Grace Moody-Stuart

    Consultancy director

    Grace is director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants and has worked for The Guide for 20 years.
    Headshot of Megan Johnson, Assistant Administrator at The Good Schools Guide.

    Megan Johnson

    Administrator

    Megan has recently joined The Good Schools Guide and is a key member of the office team.

    Meet the full team

    FAQs

    Who are The Good Schools Guide education consultants?

    Our education consultants are selected from our most experienced school reviewers. All are parents. Most have a professional background in education and/or a great range of educational experience. You can see all our consultants by clicking on this link.

    What information will you need from me when I contact you?

    Your name and contact details; your child’s name and date of birth; a brief outline of what you need help with; and some thoughts on what matters most to you in terms of their education.

    How does the process work?

    As soon as you get in touch with us, one of our experienced office team will arrange to speak to you to find out more about your circumstances. They will work to match the right consultant to you and offer you a service. All our services start with a meeting with the consultant, usually via video call, but this can be in person. 

    If you decide you would like to become a client of our premier service the consultant will be in touch with you within 24 hours of payment to work out a strategy with you. They will be available to you when you need them until a school place has been secured. 

    When is payment taken?

    One of our office team will ask for payment when you have agreed a service. Payments for all our services are made in advance of the initial meeting with the consultant. Payment is usually made online but we can also take payments over the phone and we accept bank transfers.

    Can I meet with the consultant?

    Absolutely. This is usually possible and, depending on where you and the consultant are, we can travel to meet you subject to prior arrangement. Travel costs outside London will only be charged if a consultant needs to travel more than 30 minutes to meet you.

    Are education consultants available over the weekend?

    All our consultants try to be flexible and we can always fit in with your timetable or take part in virtual meetings or conference calls.

    Do the consultants only recommend independent schools?

    We review state and independent schools and our consultants can give advice about schools in either sector. If you are only interested in state schools, we have a dedicated state school service.

    Do the consultants only recommend schools that are covered in The Good Schools Guide?

    No, although we do find that these are generally the ones people want. However, in some areas of the country or to meet specific requirements, we may well recommend you consider schools that are not – or not yet – in The Guide.

    I want to buy/rent a house according to where good schools are - can you help?

    Absolutely. This is a very common request and we’re always happy to help.

    What geographical areas do your consultants cover?

    We have knowledgeable consultants all over the country (and internationally as part of The Good Schools Guide International) and we can advise you on schools everywhere. Our consultants can draw on the knowledge of the whole UK team as well as on the unique bank of data and other information amassed by The Good Schools Guide.

    Can The Good Schools Guide use its influence to get my child a place at a school?

    Schools are sometimes happy to talk to us when parents have had a curt refusal and we are adept at negotiating a last minute assessment or interview. But although we can open doors, we can never guarantee securing a place for a child at a particular school. And neither – whatever they may say – can anyone else!

    Does The Good Schools Guide take commission from schools it recommends?

    No, and this is what makes us different from agents who have individual financial arrangements with schools. Our advice is entirely independent and based only on what you tell us you want for your children.

    Does the consultant check whether my shortlisted schools actually have places available?

    Yes, if you are one of our Premier clients. Find out more about this service here.

    What if I am not happy with the schools my consultant recommends?

    This has scarcely ever happened but, if you are not happy, please tell us. We take immense pride in delivering what our clients want and our many thousands of happy clients are testament to this. However, we are always honest with our clients. If you are fixed on only one school or a few schools which the consultant knows will not find places for you, or if the consultant is concerned about whether your child will thrive in a particular school s/he will tell you. 

    Can the consultant assess my child?

    Assessments are available to all our clients. It is a useful diagnostic tool for you and for us to help decide which schools to suggest or whether additional support will be needed. Tell our administrator if you want to find out more.

    Can I speak to someone about a particular school?

    We will always try to match you with a consultant who personally knows a particular school in which you are interested. If it is a school in The Good Schools Guide this should always be possible.

    Is what I tell my consultant confidential?

    None of our consultants will ever disclose confidential matters unless there is a clear risk of harm to you or to a child in which case they are obliged to discuss breaking confidentiality with you.

    Do you offer group information talks to parents?

    Yes, our experts regularly present to parents within workplaces, schools, social clubs and societies, PTAs, groups of local friends or even online chat groups. We are told it’s just the ticket to demystifying the confusing aspects of the UK education scene. And we just love a Q&A session. Email us to find out more.