Residence for private school application

[biscotti435]

I don't have any family/friends with experience of independent schooling in the UK so wanted to check here..
As I understand it there is no catchment area for independent schools? So is it ok to apply for London schools while living in another city, or do we have to be resident somewhere in London/its surroundings at the time of application? I mean even if they rightly assume we will move to a commutable distance, I'm just wondering if it will affect the applications...specifically for Merchant Taylors, CLSB, Dulwich College.

for Independent Schools you can often not even be in the country and apply. For schools that have day and boarding places you will need to make clear which you want. Check with admissions re what is involved in the process such as in person interviews and exams as that may add to your logistics if you are not nearby. It is usual for there to be an admin fee for each application.

They will not be at all interested in where you live.

Th challenge is achieving the offer, make sure you have a back up option too for the 3 schools you listed esp if aiming for 13plus.

As long as you pass the test and pay the fees (neither part is easy!) they don’t care at all.

You can apply from anywhere but some schools will want reassurance that your child is within acceptable commuting distance.

Thanks all!
Just to share that I found for City that it may affect bursary eligibility. In the admission policy:
'Bursaries are only awarded to candidates whose family home at the time of selection is in London or the surrounding area, and who have the right to be resident in the UK for the purposes of education. Families who elect to move to this area specifically to educate their child at the School will not qualify for a bursary.'

@biscotti435 , that makes sense because the City schools are partly funded by the corporation of London to help keep the fees lower than other schools.
Best of luck if you are considering 13 plus bursary places, a grammar school might be an easier option especially if you aim for the Sutton area.

If you need s bursary, that's a different matter and you should speak to the school or follow their website. To be honest, if you need a bursary and you also need to move to London, is that going to be financially possible?

If you are paying yourself, your residence won't be relevant to the school

Do you need a bursary? They can set whatever criteria they choose if so and yes it sounds like you need a reasonably close address tobe considered for that one. Would not apply to a full fee place,

Most independants expect day pupils to be in reasonable commuting distance. Some boarding schools even charge occasional boarding rates for pupils who live more than an hour away (mine does) for the benefit of the pupil. So read the terms carefully.

I applied for my son whilst living in South East Asia. He took the entrance test under the invigilation of the British Council in country. They interviewed my son by video. It all went smoothly.

@biscotti435 you can start the process, but for the highly selective schools unless you have an address that is within a reasonable commuting distance (i.e you live in Cambridge as an example) you are unlikely to receive an offer. Parents say they will move then don’t leaving kids with an unreasonable commute time to school. Living very close in the Home Counties would be fine but for CLSB only kids at local London Borough state schools are invited for taster days as an example. And yes address affects bursaries (which are very generous). Be mindful that City boys and girls now share their own larger coed feeder prep.