HEAR FROM OUR BURSARY HOLDERS
“It is difficult to put into words the impact this has had on my life. The chance to study at King’s has not only facilitated the formation of amazing friendships it has also helped me go to study medicine at my dream university.”
“King’s has provided me with endless opportunities and support that I simply would not have accessed otherwise. Honestly, I was not expecting to be welcomed into the school community with such an unmatched warmth, generosity and friendliness.”
“My time at King’s massively boosted my confidence and I will always be extremely grateful.”
“Our time at the school has been an amazing journey; without this financial support our son would not have been able to reach his potential and have access to the incredible teachers and resources that are available at King’s.”
“King’s is very inclusive and it gives gifted children from all walks of life a chance to experience a world class education.”
“King’s has always made us feel welcome and treated us no differently from fee paying parents.”
HELPING FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL FEES
At King's we remain committed to widening access by offering financial assistance to families who would be unable to fund some or all of the school fees. We encourage any family who anticipate having significant difficulties in affording the schools fees to apply.
Fee assistance, also known as bursary funding, is available on a means-tested basis which means the level of fee assistance we award is based on a family’s circumstances.
We treat each family as unique to ensure that the financial assistance we offer is suited to their needs and the funds we have available. For example, some families receiving an award that covers 100% of school fees may also need help with extra costs like school uniform, equipment and compulsory school trips. Where this is the case, financial assistance is available.
We offer a number of free (100% of fees) and subsidised places (from 10%99%) at the main entry points to the Senior School - Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Lower Sixth (16+). Thanks to the generosity of our current parents, our alumni community and donors, as well as the income from our international and enterprises activity, we are able to provide financial support of over £1.5 million a year to pupils in our Senior School. This enables young people of exceptional talent and promise to benefit from a world-class education regardless of their background or their family’s financial circumstances.
For families applying to join King’s it is vital that they apply for financial assistance when they register their child for the entrance tests (and we can waive the registration fee when appropriate). Once this is done, our Admissions team will send a link to a confidential financial assessment form designed to establish the level of financial support required. Please note that we are only able to offer financial assistance to those who have indicated they require it during the registration process and submitted the completed application by the stated deadline, even if their child ends up being offered a place. Please do contact bursaryinfo@kcs.org.uk if you have any questions or need any help.
As with all other entrants, children whose families hope to benefit from financial assistance must first have been identified through our admissions process as having the potential to thrive academically at King’s and to benefit from - and add tothe co-curricular opportunities and wider community involvement offered by the school. Applying for financial assistance in no way affects the chances of a child being offered a place at King’s; admission decisions are based purely on academic merit and potential.
Bursary application assessments are conducted independently of the academic selection process. We work with a specialist company, Bursary Assessment Associates, who review and assess all of our applications for financial assistance.
We have put together the following information based on the questions we get asked most often. If you have a question that isn’t answered here or would like to arrange a chat with our team, or a visit to King’s, please do get in touch with us by emailing bursaryinfo@kcs.org.uk.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT – FAQS
Are financial assistance and a bursary the same thing?
A bursary is another word commonly used for the financial assistance or award given to support families with the cost of an education at a fee-paying school.
We provide this financial assistance to families who have accepted the offer of a place at King’s, who are unable to pay some or all of the school fees.
The value of the award or the amount of financial assistance we can provide is decided by a process called means-testing which is where your financial circumstances - all your income and outcome, assets and expenditure are looked at - and from this calculation the amount of support you need is worked out.
At King’s we offer financial support from 10% to 100% of school fees and when needed can also help with additional costs such as uniform, equipment and compulsory school trips.
The level of support we are able to provide is subject to the school's financial resources, and all awards are discretionary.
The financial support we provide is possible thanks to generosity of our current parents, our alumni community and donors as well as the income
from our international and enterprises activity. We are able to provide financial support of over £1.5 million each year to pupils in our Senior School. This enables young people of exceptional talent and promise to benefit from a world-class education regardless of their background or their family’s financial circumstances.
What’s the difference between financial assistance, a bursary and a scholarship? Or are they all the same?
At King’s when we refer to financial assistance we are talking about a bursary or bursary award, they are all the same thing. It gets confusing as different schools may have different terms for them. Scholarships, however, are entirely different and it is possible for a child to be awarded both.
Financial assistance or a bursary award is granted on the basis of financial need and scholarships are awarded to pupils who have performed exceptionally well and shown the greatest promise and potential for outstanding achievement in their assessments or auditions. You can find out more about our Scholarships in the brochures available on the website.
Can I apply for financial assistance?
If, after making an honest assessment of your current financial situation (which includes taking into account your income and outgoings, as well as looking at making reasonable adjustments to your spending), you decide that you cannot afford to pay the full fee then you could apply for financial assistance.
Can I apply if I am not from the UK?
Only individuals living in the UK, or who hold a UK or ROI passport, or who hold valid UK residency documentation, may apply.
If I already receive financial assistance for one child at King’s and/or another school, will I be able to apply for another child?
Yes, whatever has been awarded to you for one child whether at King’s or elsewhere, will be taken into account in assessing the support necessary for another.
What level of financial assistance might I receive?
All financial assistance or bursary
awards will be the subject of a thorough means-tested assessment undertaken by Bursary Assessment Associates. This is an external organisation that we use to ensure the process of applying for financial assistance is undertaken in the fairest way possible for all parents who apply. We cannot judge in advance of the assessment whether financial assistance might be offered and/or to what extent.
Does this financial assistance last for my child’s entire schooling?
To ensure that families continue to get the right support throughout their child’s time here at King’s, we review all of our financial assistance annually and the amount of support may be increased or decreased if financial circumstances change. We will always aim to act as sensitively as possible.
What
does financial assistance cover?
Financial assistance may cover all or part of the school fees. If it is needed, we may also be able to offer extra support with the additional costs like uniform, equipment, compulsory school trips etc.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT – FAQS
Are there any other costs?
As well as support with the registration cost, families who are offered financial assistance can get help with the deposit which is payable when parents accept the offer of a place.
Will it affect my child’s application to the school?
Absolutely not.The school offers places to children based purely on academic merit and the ability of the child to make the most of the many opportunities, teaching and learning offered by the school. An application for financial assistance is a separate process and does not affect the outcome of your child’s entrance assessment.
How can you ensure my child will not be treated differently from other pupils?
An application for financial assistance will not affect how your child is tested nor how their performance is viewed. Once a place is awarded, only certain senior members of staff and staff directly involved in supporting the child and their family will be aware and this information is treated with utmost discretion.
We focus on ensuring that every child is fully integrated into school life irrespective of their financial circumstances, so that they can all benefit from the opportunities the school has to offer.
How do I apply for financial assistance?
When you are registering your child for the entrance tests, you must state on your registration form that you would also like to apply for financial assistance.
The Admissions team will then send a link to a confidential financial assessment form designed to establish the level of financial support required. You will need to provide information and documentation about your assets, liabilities, income and expenditure.
The school works with an independent, third party, Bursary Assessment Associates, who then review and assess all applications for financial assistance. This may include an online meeting or home visit which, by necessity, will be at short notice. Bursary Assessment Associates will liaise with you directly to make arrangements.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT – FAQS
How long does an application take?
How long it takes to complete will depend on how complicated your financial affairs are. But the more information and documentation you provide, the easier it is to make an accurate and fair assessment of your means. It is very important that you check that your form is complete and accurate before submitting it. We may not be able to make an assessment if your form is incomplete or is not clear. Please be aware that if you provide false or inaccurate information which results in you being given financial assistance, the school may be able to claim that money back under the terms and conditions of the award. Please refer to the terms and conditions for more information.
Do I have to complete the form in one sitting?
The form is very detailed and we understand that it can take quite a while to fill in. It has been set up so that you can fill it in in stages. This means you can keep saving the form and complete it over a period of time. It is really important to submit the completed form by the deadline. Please note that
once you have submitted the form you cannot make any changes.
What if we cannot provide all the supporting documentation by the deadline?
In order for us to fairly assess and allocate financial assistance, we ask all families to provide all supporting documents when they submit their form. If this is not possible, we ask that you please email us to explain what documentation is missing and when you expect to submit it
When will I be assessed?
The assessment takes place alongside but independently of the entrance process. If your child does not progress through our entrance process and they are not invited for an interview, your application for financial assistance will not be taken any further.
When will we find out if we qualify for financial assistance?
Provided we have received a completed application form and full supporting documentation, you will be notified of the outcome of the assessment when you find out whether your child has been offered a place.