Keeping Bolton School as affordable and inclusive as possible for families remains a priority amid inflation rises.

In a report using the Oxford Economics impact modeller, it was found the Chorley New Road school contributes around £25m to Bolton’s economy.

It also generates one of every £200 made in the townjand contributes £16m in tax revenue.

Discussing independent schools' position in modern society, the school's head of foundation, Philip Britton said: “This choice is what independent schools are all about.

“No parent should be made to feel guilty about wanting to afford an independent education for their child.

The Bolton News: Bolton School

“The fact that independent schools often illustrate and innovate excellence is good for all, so often education as a whole has benefitted from the lead of the independent sector, which can be nimbler and better able to respond to change.”

Mr Britton said the school responded well during Covid and adapted quickly to online learning.

He said: “The house price premium around strong state schools most often far exceeds the costs of an independent education.

“And the current condition of state education is emphatically not caused by the existence of independent schools.

“There are many reasons why state schools are as they are, but it is not because there is an independent school down the road.”

The Bolton News: Philip Britton

Mr Britton revealed that the school had become relatively "less expensive" but this did not mean it was "less good", with fee rises now at five percent each year in line with inflation pressures.

He said: “We recognised that to be as inclusive as possible we not only needed our bursary programme but also needed to keep fees affordable for as many families as possible.

“To fulfil that aim our fee rise every year since 2015 has been two percent.

“This year it has had to be five percent, with the abnormal inflationary pressures around at the moment.

“We did that to create certainty for parents, so that they did not commit to fees at one level and then find them somewhere very different only a few years later.

“Relative to wage inflation for most across that time the school has become relatively less expensive and the clear focus at Bolton is on being affordable, but also being worth affording."