Working class in Private school

There are loads of bursary awards at DDs school. Me and DH are working class (first in family to go to university, etc). No one gives a toss how much their parents have, I haven’t witnessed any snobbery or flash behaviour at all. The vast majority of people there are financially ok of course. You do notice lots on constant overseas holidays but other than that, no. And many more at the school don’t live that lifestyle. I think modern private schools are very different from the likes of Eton etc

DS is at one of the schools you mention. We were talking about their bursary programme the other day and he mentioned in passing that his best friend is on a bursary. It wouldn’t cross his mind to think anything of it. Some kids live in the poshest parts of London, others live in tower blocks on estates. We are somewhere in the middle…
My nephews are all at a state school in the Home Counties and there seems to be far more talk of parent’s wealth there.

Go for it! Apply for your ds, let him lead the way academically.
As pp, kids don’t care about wealth. Actually, the parents won’t either. Lots I know who’s grandparents pay the fees.

DS is on a big bursary at an indie secondary; it's not really an issue as kids judge him on whether they like him or not (and vice versa!) rather than how big our house is.

Children don’t care. The wealth fear thing is a hang over from the 80’s for parents I think! . These days around 10% or more of children are on means tested bursaries at many schools . My dc have no idea who is on them or not but they do notice the Uber wealthy kids just not the average or non wealthy ones . It’s not a big deal as it was in the previous generation. Also lots of new money about and these people still are socially working class but have pots of cash compared to socially upper classes. The world is changing and everyone is a million times more tolerant. Don’t worry about it at all.

We have a couple of low income children in DDS class (that I know about) no one cares or bats an eyelid. The kids are still invited to parties, play dates, the parents are invited to all adult social events and as far as I can tell no one cares or judges in any way. The kids are the same as all the other kids in the year regardless of income.
The only thing I will say is that it can be obvious in the difference in income, ie holidays, material things, but I genuinely don't see anyone making a fuss about it, and maybe even the kids get enhanced experiences from their friends that they may not otherwise get, friends with horses, swimming pools, cinema rooms, trips to theme parks, executive boxes at football....etc

Not in London but lots of scholarships and bursaries at DD's independent and her boyfriend's school has a sliding scale of payments with people on an income of less than £20k paying nothing at all then increasing gradually to full fees. I think the lowest fee for people actually paying is £45 a year. Needless to say it can afford to be extremely selective and it is. I looked at the maths entrance paper and struggled and it's for 11 year olds so that's me out then!!

Definitely apply - there's people from lots of different backgrounds

The top London schools are interested in acquiring intelligent children from any background. Lots of parents either have bursaries or they make sacrifices to send their bright youngsters. I don't think anyone will care where you live. (Well, a few might, but I would say they'll be in the minority, and they exist at all schools, private or state).

These large secondary schools have a wide income intake with many many dc on bursaries. You can't tell when you are in the classroom who has what sized house etc. But I would also consider grammar schools esp Tiffin, there in little difference in the end academic results and university destinations.