Registering for a John Whitgift Foundation Bursary A guide for families applying to Trinity and Whitgift Schools
Registering for a bursary via The John Whitgift Foundation Whilst the John Whitgift Foundation has generous funding, the demand for bursarial support far exceeds the number of families that we can support each year. The process for registering your bursary interest is outlined below:
Apply for a John Whitgift Foundation Bursary 1
Make your application to a John Whitgift Foundation School
Trinity: Applications are open and will close on 16 October for 10+, 11+ and 13+ entry and 12 October for 16+. Whitgift: Applications are open and will close on Friday 6 November 2026 for 10+ and 11+ entry and on Friday 9 October for 13+ and 16+ entry. FAQ: What if I miss the deadline? The deadline is fixed and no new bursary interest registrations will be accepted after this date. FAQ: If I am applying for both schools (Trinity and Whitgift) do I need to submit two registrations? No, but you need to tick the ‘either school’ option within the registration questionnaire.
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Bursary interest registrations open on 2 September 2026, via the John Whitgift Foundation website
www.johnwhitgiftfoundation.org/education/apply-for-a-bursary Please note this is a short two-minute process and we will not be asking for financial information at this point. This is not an application for a bursary; each school’s admissions team will decide whether they want your household to be invited to a bursary application by reviewing the entrance exams, and their shortlisting will be specific to the school. Consequently, one school might shortlist you, but the other might not. Once your registration has been submitted, you will receive confirmation of your registration by the John Whitigift Foundation Bursary Team.
FAQ: Can I complete this registration if my child is already at one of the Foundation schools? No, this is the process for new applicants joining the schools. FAQ: I think I earn too much to qualify, should I still register? Yes, do register your interest. A full bursary assessment will be offered if your child does very well in our entrance assessments and the outcome of that assessment will determine your own eligibility.
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Complete entrance assessment at relevant school
Schools will shortlist the top candidates for bursary assessment. Two outcomes: a. No progression to a bursary application. The student has not performed sufficiently strongly in entrance assessments. School admissions team and the John Whitgift Foundation will communicate with families who at this point can decide whether or not they wish for their child to remain in the admissions process. If this is the case, the bursary process ends. Any place offer that follows will not include a bursary award. b. Invitation to a bursary application. You will be contacted by the John Whitgift Foundation Bursary Team to complete your application online within our secure bursary portal within 7 days. You will be asked to upload all relevant financial documents at that stage. Please note, if you remain in the process and have applied for a scholarship, it is still possible to be awarded a place with a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded based on competitive assessment and can be applied for separately as part of each School’s application process.
FAQ: When will I hear the outcome of my bursary application? You will hear on offer day. Please note that being assessed for a bursary does not automatically mean that the admissions teams will offer you a bursary supported place, as bursary funds are limited. 3 out of 10 assessments result in an award supported place. FAQ: Can I appeal the school’s decision not to shortlist me for a bursary application? I am afraid not. Please note the decision of each school is final.
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Offer Day
There will be five possible outcomes on Offer Day: • OFFER OF A PLACE WITH A BURSARY AWARD • OFFER OF A PLACE, WITH A PLACE ON THE BURSARY WAITING LIST • OFFER OF A PLACE WITH NO BURSARY • OFFER OF A PLACE WITH A SCHOLARSHIP, NO BURSARY • OFFER OF A PLACE WITH A SCHOLARSHIP AND A BURSARY • OFFER OF A WAITING LIST PLACE (AND BURSARY WAITING LIST) • NO OFFER OF A PLACE
FAQ: I am on the bursary waiting list how soon will I hear? Due to limited funds, we can only offer you a bursary supported place if we receive the confirmation that another family with a bursary supported place has declined the offer, freeing up some bursary funds for the school. FAQ: What if I accept the place but change my mind? You must notify the admissions team within 14 days of accepting the place or else you will lose your deposit payment. FAQ: When should I accept my place with a bursary? As soon as possible please, so as not to impact other families but no later than the deadline given by each School. FAQ: If I accept a place with a bursary how much deposit do I pay? £200. FAQ: If I decline the place, can I reapply? Yes, you are welcome to make a new application at any of our standard points of entry: 10+, 11+, 13+ and 16+.
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Bursary offer holders accept their offer by School deadline date FAQ: What additional support can bursary holders benefit from? The Schools can support students in receipt of bursaries with costs relating to trips, uniform, food, transport and exam fees. This support is at the discretion of the respective Headmaster.
Parent checklist (the process in 6 steps): 1. Make application directly to the school you wish to apply for (Trinity, Whitgift or both). 2. Register your bursary interest with the Foundation between the 2 of September and the 6 of November (Trinity School) and before 20 November (Whitgift School). 3. Your child completes entrance assessment at the school(s) you have applied to. 4. The John Whitgift Foundation bursary team will contact you if you have been shortlisted to complete a bursary application. This is contingent on your child’s performance in the School’s entrance assessments. 5. Offer of a place. 6. Accept place and pay deposit.