Fees, Scholarships and Bursaries

Fees

The termly fee for the Autumn Term 2020 was held at current levels, in light of the coronavirus pandemic. As part of our commitment to supporting our parent community through this difficult period, an additional decision was made to extend the freeze of the main school fee for the Spring Term as well. This will be reviewed for April 2021, and any change in fee level notified to parents in December 2020. The Spring term fee level is therefore £5,535 all-inclusive with a 5% reduction for brothers and sisters who are not receiving any bursary awards. Optional extras include: dinners, school bus, insurance, instrumental tuition, specialist sports, visits and tours. The Governors try to maintain the fee for the academic year but reserve the right to alter it, if necessary (giving parents a term’s notice).

Payment

Payments are by direct debit on the first day of term unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed. Third party companies provide monthly payment options, details of which will be forwarded with the autumn term fee account. Parents are advised to take independent financial advice should they wish to use any third party payment options.

Deposit

If, in due course, a place is offered, a deposit of £200 will be payable when the offer is accepted. This deposit will be repaid, without interest, within three months of the pupil leaving the school less any sums due to the school on leaving.

Applications

A £50 non-returnable fee is charged for an application except when the application to be considered is for a bursary place only when the fee is £25.

Lunches

Autumn 2020, the cost of lunch is £4.70 per day. This will rise to £4.85 per day in spring 2021.

Withdrawal

One term’s notice in writing of the intention to withdraw a pupil from the School must be given. Without such notice a term’s fee in lieu of notice is due.

Insurance

Fees cannot be refunded for absence and parents are advised to take advantage of the school fees remission scheme, details of which are forwarded when a pupil enters the school. Parents are also invited to consider insuring the payment of school fees in the event of the death of the fee payer. Parents are advised to take independent advice should they wish to use any third party insurance options.

Bursaries

The School will offer a number of means-tested Foundation bursaries each year to pupils entering the First and Third Years and the Sixth Form. Bursaries will have a maximum value of 100% of the full fee which would value them at £16,605 in 2019-2020. In addition to taking account of all relevant sources of income, the school takes account of relevant capital assets. Applicants should note that subject to your capital assets, if your gross family income is below approximately £32,000 you may qualify for a full bursary. If your gross family income is in excess of approximately £73,000 you would not qualify for any assistance.

Between these two figures a sliding scale will operate. This scale is subject to annual review. Once awarded, the entitlement to a Foundation bursary will remain with a pupil throughout his or her time at the School and will be reviewed annually.

Academic Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available to entrants at age 11+ and 13+, valued at up to 10% of the fee per annum. These will be awarded on the results of the Admissions Examination, taking into account the recommendations of the Head Teacher. The scholarships awarded at 11+ are tenable for three years and those awarded at 13+ are tenable for one year. There is no need to apply for an Academic scholarship as all applicants are automatically eligible.

Fees, Scholarships and Bursaries

Creative Arts Scholarships

Creative Arts scholarships are available at 11+ in Music, Art and Drama and at 13+ in Music only. These are valued at up to 5% of the fee per annum and are tenable for three years (one year for the 13+ Music scholarship). Candidates may apply for one Creative Art scholarship only. The successful candidates would be expected, during the tenure of their award, to make an important and continuing contribution to the Creative Arts at the School. Candidates applying for a Creative Arts scholarship may also apply for a Sports Award.

Music Scholarships

Candidates at 11+ should have reached approximately the standard of grade 5 in one instrument (grade 6 for 13+ candidates). The ability to sing or some competence in a second instrument would be regarded as an additional, though not essential, qualification. Auditions will be held and shortlisted candidates will be asked to play two prepared pieces of contrasting styles. Candidates may offer singing, the piano or any orchestral instrument. Both pieces may be played on the same instrument: alternatively, where two instruments are offered, one piece may be played on the candidate’s first instrument, the other on the second. Candidates will also be asked to play a piece of sight-reading on the first instrument.

Drama Scholarships

The candidates on the shortlist will be invited to attend individual auditions and interviews and a group workshop. Auditions will take place in front of the Head of Drama, another member of the Drama Department and the other auditionees. In addition, each child will have a short, informal chat about their performance experience and their interest in Drama. The final session will be a whole group workshop in which the children may be asked to work on various games, improvisations and sketches together.

Art Scholarships

Candidates should prepare a portfolio of their own work. Candidates must display both a flair for, and an interest in, the subject. From the portfolios we receive, a shortlist of candidates will be drawn up and invited to attend a workshop. The morning will consist of an interview with a member of the department where candidates will have the opportunity to discuss their work and interest in Art. There will be two set tasks whereby candidates can demonstrate their talents in observational drawing, imagination and three dimensional skills.

Sports Awards

At King Edward’s we value sport and it is a very important part of the school’s ethos. Each year a number of Sports Awards are available for those applying to join us at both 11+ and at 13+. In addition to the receipt of an award, the recipient will be a member of the Elite Sports Performer Programme in which we support the individual’s sporting development within the whole school environment. We invite applications from children with a passion for sport who have achieved, or shown the potential to achieve, a high level of sporting performance in at least one of the school’s major sports; hockey, rugby, netball and cricket. A shortlist of applicants will be invited to attend a selection day. This will involve a morning of fitness assessment and an afternoon of team sport coaching sessions that will focus on competitive sporting performance. Candidates may apply for a Sports Award as well as a Creative Arts scholarship.