BRIGHT children are being helped to access the best education available, whatever their backgrounds.

Earlier this year, Bolton School partnered with The Bursary Foundation, a charity which works to connect deserving young people in deprived communities in Greater Manchester with the best educational opportunities at independent and grammar schools across the region.

The foundation was founded by Jenny Hopkinson, a former primary school teacher and wife of Bolton School Old Boy Max Hopkinson.

While teaching in inner-city Manchester, Max mentored a bright, hardworking Year 3 pupil called Sally, who subsequently secured a fully-funded place at an independent girls’ school, where she is now said to be thriving.

That experience inspired Jenny to found The Bursary Foundation.

Bolton School’s link up with the foundation complements its own work to deliver financial assistance to deserving families with girls or boys aged aged 11 through to 18.

The awards, made annually, are based on the child’s performance in the entrance test and the degree of assistance required.

Parents whose income is less than circa £20,000 may be offered full remission of fees.

And parents can earn up to £80,000 and still potentially receive some help.

Bursaries ensure that pupils are drawn from diverse backgrounds and many Bolton School students are from families whose income is below the national average.

Currently, one in five pupils receives a bursary-assisted place.

Further information is available at www.boltonschool.org/bursaries