10 minute read
Paying it forward
Paying itforward
EMMA HANBURY, Alumnae and External Relations Officer at St Mary’s Cambridge, reveals why bursaries and fee assistance are essential in helping exceptional students reach their full potential, especially following the impact that the pandemic has had on education
Founded in 1898, St Mary’s School, Cambridge is the only day and boarding school in Cambridgeshire for girls aged three to 18 years. St Mary’s offers an education built entirely for girls. In small classes, each girl is valued, supported, and inspired, as they experience an education tailored to meet their needs.
It’s this tailoring to meet each individual child’s needs that makes an independent school education so expensive. All children respond well to small classes, inspiring and passionate teachers, a huge and diverse range of extracurricular opportunities and a great set of friends, with whom they can grow and develop.
As reported by the BBC, the amount spent on schools was a major topic in 2019’s general election campaign. So, where does all the money for educating the country’s children go? Spending on schools in England is much higher than it was 20 years ago. But that’s not the full picture in a country which has seen a population boom coincide with a decadelong squeeze on public spending. This means that in today’s prices, spending per pupil in England is lower than it was s
ST MARY’S SISTER CHRISTOPHER BURSARY FUND The school’s assistance fund is a tribute to a very special teacher
Sister Christopher, who has just celebrated her 104th birthday, is a former pupil, teacher and headmistress of the school. This fund, in her name, is used to offer support to parents facing financial challenges, as well as girls whose families wouldn’t ordinarily have access to a St Mary’s education. As the gap between state and independent school pupils’ attainment levels widens, we see the latter becoming even more important for our local communities. This fund makes a real difference to children whose lives would otherwise be derailed by the crisis – pupils already at the school who may have to leave, or those who were planning to join us in September and are now facing hardship. We want it to do more for pupils who’ll benefit from the education we deliver to reach their full potential in life.
Now, more than ever before, bursary assistance is proving to be an educational lifeline for struggling families
in 2010. Spending on schools isn’t shared out equally. The amount spent on each primary school child in England in 2018-19 was £5,000, compared with £6,200 for secondary school children. However, priorities have shifted, with per pupil spending on primary schools increasing by 145 per cent since 1990 after accounting for inflation, compared with 83 per cent for secondaries.
The cost of independent day school fees is currently just over £16,000 per annum and boarding fees averaging at £36,000 per annum. In addition to this, parents should always be reminded to make allowances for the extras. These are of course, drama, singing, music lessons or extra sports coaching and trips or outings, plus the associated costs that go with this. It is good advice to budget around £500 per term for day schools and £1,000 for boarding.
Since our school was founded, the world has changed beyond all recognition, including the relatively modern possibility to apply for bursary assistance. The need for this assistance has grown exponentially since the onset of the pandemic. With remote learning that continued into a third lockdown, the attainment gap between state and independent school-educated pupils is widening by the day. Current predictions estimate that state-school children are at least seven months behind in their learning, whereas those with an independent school education have received a full timetable since schools closed. Bursary assistance now has a more essential part to play than ever before.
There are two types of bursary support available at St Mary’s – one that is a stop-gap source of funding for a family who are facing temporary hardship; perhaps due to a low income, redundancy or bereavement, or other such family crisis but in normal circumstances would be able to cover the fees and are asking for short-term help until they can resume the payments. These bursaries generally come from a hardship fund. Many independent schools have set up hardship funds since the pandemic started.
The other is for a 110 per cent bursary and is for lifechanging bursary support to provide an education for a pupil who would normally not be able to attend a school like St Mary’s, Cambridge, but shows exceptional potential. We work with Royal Springboard, an organisation which identifies and screens students that would be worthy recipients of this type of bursary and who fit the criteria of the type of students we as a school would like to help: a student with talent who is also otherwise in a vulnerable and unsafe situation.
CASE STUDY HOW WE DID IT
Abbi, 18, a St Mary’s Cambridge alumna benefited from the support of the school’s Sister Christopher Bursary Fund. She’s now studying medicine at the University of East Anglia and has been working on local hospital wards during the pandemic. Here’s her story, as told by her mother, Emma
When did you apply for a bursary?
We applied in 2017 when Abbi was 15 and had been in the school since she was 11. Abbi wanted to continue into the sixth form, but this was at the same time her younger sister was joining the school, I could cover most of the joint fees but needed support with the part I couldn’t cover, I needed support for the period when both girls were at school together.
Can you give a rough timeline of your bursary application process?
The application process was fairly quick, but naturally rigorous. I had a response within three to four months from collating all the required information to receiving an offer.
How much did you know about bursaries before applying?
I had read about them and did as much research as I could from the internet and other school websites.
Did you apply for a bursary at another school or just to St Mary’s?
St Mary’s was a good fit for my daughters, I knew it was the right school, so I didn’t apply for another.
How easy or difficult was it to secure the bursary for Abbi?
As a maths teacher I’m not afraid of figures or filling in forms, so I understood what was being asked, and was able to answer with complete transparency which is essential.
Did you have bursary provision for the entirety of Abbi’s school life?
No, I knew I had two years of paying fees for two girls, so I knew, as a single parent, I needed help for those years only. I didn’t apply for assistance until necessary.
What qualities do you have to have to consider applying for a bursary?
The whole family budget is under scrutiny, so in terms of qualities, I think you need to be comfortable discussing your finances with the bursar and governors who make the decisions on who receives funds.
What checks does the school make?
Bursaries at St Mary’s are administered by an independent company – Bursary Administration Ltd (BAL), who assists the school with the administration of the bursary application, and ensures that when governors meet, they have all the information they need. Once you complete the required forms, BAL contact you and schedule a 45-minute appointment. There’s then a rigorous checking process where BAL clarify the information provided on the application form and make sure they understand your expenditure as well as your income, so that if the governors and bursar are able to help you, they can offer a bursary at a level as close to your needs as possible. Once you’ve met with BAL, you’ll receive a final decision in writing on your application following the governor’s finance meeting.
What impact has receiving a bursary had on your and your family?
It has been life-changing and I’m so proud of what Abbi has achieved. We couldn’t have secured her dream of studying medicine without St Mary’s and the bursary assistance.
CASE STUDY HOW I DID IT
CHARLOTTE JEFFREY is in year 10 at Kilgraston School in Perthshire and explains how her equestrian scholarship has helped develop both her riding skills and her understanding of the sport
Being awarded an equestrian scholarship has made a huge difference to my riding and personal confidence. AlthoughI’ve been riding since I was four, it was only in 2018 that I started to think about the future. I was 12 – old enough to compete in affiliated British Eventing competitions. After my initial approach, Kilgraston encouraged me to apply and I really began to believe in my ability.
The application process took a while but the school was very clear with direction. We had to complete a presentation, detailing my experience and achievements within the sport.
Kilgraston’s equestrian manager evaluates the applicant’s attitude and ambitions; competition is tough, girls must set an example through hard work and commitment.
I’ve been fortunate to represent Kilgraston in dressage, show jumping and eventing teams. Riding is about your relationship with your horse, but there’s a real sense of belonging. I’ve benefited hugely from regular teaching and input. Kilgraston has an on-site equestrian centre so riding is very popular with lots of pupils, many having their horses at livery within the school grounds.
Last summer saw me and my new horse Joey take part in my first BE90 event. The extra support of the scholarship has definitely given me the confidence to participate.
I’m in the process of taking my Pony Club C+ Test and Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. For both qualifications, I have had the opportunity to volunteer at the Equestrian Centre and benefit from expert knowledge and encouragement from the staff.
Being awarded a scholarship is a big responsibility, but it does make you hold your head high because someone else believes in your skill.
Kilgraston students with Mrs MacGinty
IN PRACTICE
DOROTHY MACGINTY, Headmistress of Kilgraston, explains how scholarship assessments are being conducted now
The awarding of a scholarship at Kilgraston is designed to be a reflection of the principles on which our school operates throughout the academic year; namely the development of intellect and character.
As with life for a pupil at the school, the scholarship application process is rigorous – designed to challenge applicants, making them think about the undertaking, while simultaneously fostering value and community.
Scholarships are assessed in February but we start to receive written applications from several months beforehand, right up until the cut-off at the end of January.
Several different types of scholarship are available – academic, excellence in art, music, sport, drama and all-rounders, for those who excel in a number of disciplines.
As we are fortunate enough to have our own on-site riding centre, equestrian scholarships are also extremely popular, with many pupils bringing their own horse or pony to live just a few steps away while they progress through BHS exams and national-level competitions.
While scholarships are honorary and carry a no-fee discount – recipients also receive free lessons in their specialism and, of course, are given the prestige of being a scholarship pupil.
As with many aspects of life, the pandemic has necessitated a process rethink. Currently, school visits are regulated, so bringing prospective pupils into our ‘bubble’ has to be managed carefully. This year, most assessments will be made online.
Initially, the parent or guardian, pupil and myself have a relaxed Zoom call together. During the half hour or so, everyone gets a very good ‘feel’ for the situation and any questions – however trivial – can be answered in a full and friendly manner.
Normally, candidates are invited to the school in February, but this year, all assessments (other than the outdoor equestrian scholarships) were made virtually.
Music pieces were set in advance, with our Director of Music performanceassessing online. Sport too was slightly different, with candidates asked to produce a short video of their particular discipline. For academic scholarships this year, papers were despatched in sealed envelopes – with candidates asked to open them in front of a teacher from our school before sitting down to take the exam online.
However, some traditions remain. Successful applicants have always received the good news via a personal call and that’s a habit that we’ll be guarding closely!
