Bursaries

Life-changing financial assistance

 

We offer substantial means-tested fee-assisted places (known as “bursaries”) because we believe wholeheartedly that the first-class education our pupils experience can transform children’s lives, and greatly increase the opportunities available to them in adulthood.​

Many schools offer smaller “top up” bursaries of 5% or 10%, but at Highgate we concentrate on life-changing larger awards.

We currently have almost 100 bursary holders in the Senior School, most receiving substantial awards covering 90%-100% of their fees.​ Many of our bursary holders also receive assistance with additional costs such as IT, school trips and uniforms. We want a Highgate education to be accessible for all, and for bursary holders to be able to participate fully in every aspect of school life.

We strongly believe that bursaries have a positive impact not only on an individual recipient, but on the whole school.​ Our bursary holders enrich and diversify our school community.

“I’m tremendously grateful to have had access to all the exceptional facilities and resources Highgate has to offer. I’ve made a group of lifelong friends. I genuinely believe this bursary has changed my life.”

Louis, previous bursary recipient now studying engineering

“I was very lucky to be given a full bursary.  I am very happy at Highgate.  My teachers and the friends I have made are great. I strongly believe this opportunity will help me to achieve my dreams.  One day, I hope to return this favour by providing a bursary, in the future, for a child like me.”

Year 8 pupil

Bursary FAQs

For further information on bursaries and if you feel you cannot afford our application fee, please contact our Senior School Bursary Officer if you have any questions about the process. Please also review the Bursary policy.

Email: bursaryadmissions@highgateschool.org.uk

Tel: 020 8347 4499

  • How do I apply for a bursary for my child?

    If you wish to apply for a bursary, please make this clear on your online application which must be submitted by the deadline published on our website. Your application will be acknowledged and you will be sent a financial assessment form and guidance about its completion.

  • Is your academic selection process separate to your bursary application?

    Yes. Your child has to be considered for a place on academic merit alone, before being considered for a bursary. Those marking the tests and carrying out the interviews will not know that you have applied for a bursary. Therefore, our academic selection process is separate from our bursary process, so if your child meets our academic standards, he/she will still be offered a place, regardless of being awarded a bursary.

  • Are test results taken into account when awarding a bursary?

    Yes. Applicants have to be considered for a place before we consider them for a bursary. When deciding whether to award a bursary, a number of factors are taken into account, including academic performance in our assessments and interview and current school report as well as financial circumstances. However, academic performance will have no impact on the size of the bursary we decide to award.

  • Is the bursary guaranteed for every year that my child is at Highgate?

    All bursary awards are subject to review of parents’/carers’ financial circumstances each year, and may be varied upwards or downwards, depending on changes in circumstances. Parents/carers of bursary holders in Years 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 are required to complete a full financial review in June. Parents/carers of bursary holders in other years are asked to sign a declaration that their financial circumstances have not changed since the preceding home visit.

  • Is there any further funding for associated costs?

    Highgate School recognises that families in receipt of bursaries may find it difficult to meet the wider costs associated with secondary education. In addition to school fees, means-tested support may be available for extra-curricular school trips, individual music lessons and exam fees. Some families receiving 100% bursaries may also be eligible for a uniform grant.

  • What factors are considered when assessing the size of the bursary that might be given?

    We judge each application carefully, taking into account:

    • all sources of income
    • all outgoings
    • all assets (e.g. property, savings, shares)
    • all liabilities (e.g. mortgage, arrears, loans)
    • the value and council tax band of the family home
    • the size of the family

  • Are bursaries available for other Junior School year groups?

    Unfortunately not. Bursaries will be awarded at entry to Year 3 to the Junior School only. At Senior School, bursaries are awarded to pupils joining the school at entry to Year 7 (11+) and Year 12 (16+).

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