HAMPSHIRE'S best known private school is forcing parents to pay a levy of £1,400 towards bursaries for poorer pupils.
Headmaster Ralph Townsend fears the future of Winchester College could be jeopardised if it retains its current largely upper class intake.
In a letter sent to parents this weekend, Dr Townsend warned that the public schools can no longer accept a "a continual narrowing of access without threatening their long-term future".
The Government is also pressurising schools such as Winchester and Eton to justify their charitable status that bestows huge financial benefits.
The levy means that next year's fees, including the levy, will be £27,870.
The extra payment is intended to cover the fees of 67 pupils by 2018 and part of the costs of another 134 boys.
From 2011 all scholarships will be means tested.
Dr Townsend has reportedly said that the levy was "not an enormous amount".
He added: "We believe parents will realise they are the beneficiaries of charitable donations in the past and so it is reasonable to ask them to give some money themselves."
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