Bursaries

Bursaries (formerly called assisted places) are intended to enable gifted children to attend the school irrespective of family income.

Bursaries are only available to those who are successful in our entrance examination and interview, assistance is not guaranteed if a place is offered. We attempt to help as many families as possible, but funds are limited: awards will therefore be based on the child’s performance in the entrance examination and assessment of need required. The level of fee remission will be determined on a sliding scale which may offer up to 100 per cent reduction in fees. Assistance towards the cost of school uniform, school meals and travel may also be available in cases of particular need. Parents’ income and assets will be assessed annually and all information will be treated in the strictest confidence. The exact amount of fee reduction will depend upon family circumstances, however, families with a total gross annual income over £100,000 are unlikely to qualify for a bursary. These figures are guideline amounts and parents are encouraged to contact the Bursar to discuss their individual circumstances, in complete confidence. An allowance will be made for dependants and proof of income will be required. For the higher levels of fee remission, the school reserves the right to visit parents at home or make other relevant enquiries to establish genuine levels of income. 

Bursaries may be further supplemented by a Harrison Scholarship (provided by the Peter Harrison Foundation), which is available to prospective pupils living in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead; and by the RGS Foundation’s 1675 Bursary Fund, as part of the Changing Lives, Building Futures campaign. These may provide up to 100 per cent fee remission. 

Bursaries may also be available through our Nightingale Fund. As a school we recognise the outstanding work of front-line staff within the NHS and related services by providing 10 assisted places (bursaries). These NHS Scholar places – which are available immediately and at different entry points – are reserved for the children of parents who work within the NHS and care sectors, including nurses, paramedics, porters, cleaners and support services. The Nightingale Fund will also provide bursaries for children from disadvantaged backgrounds who specifically wish to follow A level courses to access Medicine and related studies at university. We welcome applications through the normal process and we ask you to note on the form that you are a key worker applying for the NHS bursary. 

In addition, we have a We Care Bursary Fund to provide assistance to eligible children, faced with unexpected tragedy, at their time of need. Please contact the Bursar for more information on availability. 

Applicants hoping to join the Sixth Form at RGS to pursue their study of STEM subjects at A Level and beyond, and who qualify for a bursary, may apply to become a Gershon Scholar. Financial support through a Gershon Bursary also carries with it additional mentoring and career support. 

A pupil may hold both a scholarship and a bursary but the total reduction cannot be more than 100 per cent of fees. 

Bursary application and income assessment

On the application form there is an opportunity to register your interest in a bursary. The earlier you express your interest the more likely it is that we will be able to assist, subject to the standard bursary criteria. The application form, which will be made available via your online admissions portal, asks for details of your income, assets held (for example, a house), and outgoings (on mortgage, living expenses, dependant children or other relatives). The Bursar may also ask for a meeting to discuss your needs. If he thinks you may be eligible for a school bursary, Harrison Scholarship or Foundation bursary, he may ask for proof of income (for example, tax notices) and you may receive a home visit. It is important that all bursary application forms are returned by the deadline outlined in the key dates. If this is not the case, a bursary application will not be able to be considered.