AN initiative to help children attend one of the region’s top preparatory schools has been given a financial boost.

Abberley Hall School in Great Witley, near Worcester, has announced that it is extending the support it provides to parents.

Termly fees for Abberley Hall School, which has almost 300 pupils aged between two and 13, start at £5,900 for full boarders.

Headmaster John Walker said: “We have recently received a boost from the charitable Abberley Hall Foundation which has committed an annual sum to help families who would like to send their children to our school but need financial assistance to do so.

“I am delighted that the foundation can now offer more financial support to families who need it and to children who can demonstrate an enthusiasm for making the most of such an opportunity.

“We are very proud of our school and its wonderful facilities. A number of families have benefited from this scheme over the years and we are pleased that more will now be helped.

“The assisted places scheme will be promoted regionally, with each case being considered on its merits and support being tailored to individual needs.”

The Abberley Hall Foundation was set up in 2001 to secure the future prosperity of the school and trustees have now reached the fund-raising milestone of £100,000.

Rhoddy Swire, chairman of the foundation’s trustees, said: “We are very pleased to be able to support this assisted places scheme and hope to make an important difference to the number of children who will benefit from it.”

The foundation will also use part of the £100,000 sum to fund future developments at the school and to start on a major conservation programme at the grade II-listed Victorian house in which it is based.

The foundation continues to raise funds through a network of former pupils and those interested in preserving rare architecture and decoration for future generations.

Last year, Abberley Hall School sent 40 leavers to 25 of the country’s major public schools, including eight academic scholarships and seven awards for music, art, sport and all-round ability. Mr Walker was named as ‘prep school headmaster of the year’ in the 2008 Tatler Good Schools Guide.