EVOLUTION OF FEE ASSISTANCE AT RGS

Although 375 students have accessed the RGS bursary scheme since its creation, thousands more bright young people from across the North East were able to attend the school on earlier schemes. ONs and RGS staff reflect back on the various forms of fee assistance over the years.

DIRECT GRANT SCHEME ASSISTED PLACES SCHEME

1945-1976

Between the introduction of the 1944 Education Act and 1976, some 200 schools were part of the Direct Grant Grammar Schools scheme, including RGS. The scheme was a modification of an existing Direct Grant scheme, established in 1907, for privately endowed schools. The aim was to allow access for bright children who had spent at least two years in state primary schools to the most academic institutions in the land. A minimum of 25% of places would be reserved for such students and the fees paid for by the government. These ‘scholarship’ places at RGS were awarded solely on academic performance in special entrance exams. Dissatisfaction with the education system grew in the 50s, when many parts of the world moved from selective education to comprehensive schools. The debate continued until the 1975 Direct Grant Grammar Schools (Cessation of Grant) Regulation required schools to choose whether to become local authority maintained comprehensive schools, or independent schools without grant. At this point, the Direct Grant was phased out, along with it, sadly, the broad social mix of the school.

David Kemp (53-60)

1980-1997

Following the phasing out of the Direct Grant Scheme, the Assisted Places Scheme was introduced in 1980 by the Conservative Government to provide a ‘ladder of opportunity for academically able students from poor homes’. Over the next 17 years, more than 75,000 young people received means tested assistance from public funds to attend the most selective and prestigious private schools.

RGS entered wholeheartedly into the scheme and as a result there are many ONs who benefitted from the Assisted Places Scheme over the years. At the scheme’s peak this amounted to around a quarter of RGS students across the whole of the Senior School. Many of the students –and indeed the Teachers who taught them –had no idea they were being assisted in this way.

The scheme was eventually abolished when New Labour came to power in 1997, though the Senior School boys already in the scheme were able to continue through to the end of their education at RGS.

Sylvia R Lambert Retired Fees Clerk (83-02)

RGS BURSARY SCHEME

1998 TO DATE

The first 14 bursaries were awarded in 1998, predominantly to RGS Junior School pupils who would otherwise lose their Assisted Places funding on transition to the Senior School.

From 2002 when the Bursary Campaign was launched the bursary student population has varied according to the amount of donations raised each year –at one point reaching 100 students –albeit averaging around 80 pupils at any one point.

At the school, I have the unenviable task of processing bursary applications. This year alone we received applications from 225 bursary families, representing a 49% increase on the previous year; all wonderful young people from some of the most deprived areas of the City.

The few bursary places we have available each year are highly coveted; students must demonstrate outstanding academic ability and pass a rigorous interview process. Simultaneously, a robust financial assessment is undertaken, many of our bursary applicants then receive a home visit from our Outreach Manager. The process is extensive, through which I am confident that we identify the most deserving young people, to which we will make a transformational difference.

Our bursary students’ identity is completely confidential while they are in the school, they experience the RGS as any other student would. As one student told me, “At RGS I am judged on my talent and my personality, not from where I came”. Deciding who the lucky few will be is the most difficult task, yet the most rewarding.

Aimee Finlay Finance Officer