Likelihood of bursaries at North London independent schools for FSM pupils

4 replies

SRKMC · 02/10/2026 19:41

Hi, is there anyone that knows about the likelihood of getting a bursary at the following schools Highgate, London consortium (SHHS, Channing, G&L and Northwood college) NLCS Habs and STAHS. Are they usually given to children on FSM and pupil premium? Or if you fit their income band is it likely you get it? I'm tutoring a few that are on FSM, rent property, and parents earn a total of £45k but they have a flashy car finance. Just wanted to get an idea.

OP posts:

PlonkieTwo · 03/10/2026 06:17

For anything in the GDST (so the London Consortium and others), the equity limit is 350K plus you cant have substantial savings like more than 100k. They would expect you to use this first, then remortgage. Then they look at income.

For the others, the income threshold is there, I believe around 150k income for the household, then they look at equity and savings if you are below this level.

With the people you mention, the key thing is probably that the income is low and they rent.

You should apply anyway. Id say also if your child is really strong academically or can offer the school something good like playing sports to a very high level, then the school may make it work financially but really depends on the child.

stringseleven · 03/10/2026 13:42

Those figures seem very high. Are families with up to 100K in savings really being given awards from the bursary fund at GDST schools?

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 03/10/2026 16:25

I think schools like dc to be very bright or offer a specific talent for bursaries when they are competitive. They want bang for their buck.

PlonkieTwo · 03/10/2026 17:31

stringseleven · 03/10/2026 13:42

Those figures seem very high. Are families with up to 100K in savings really being given awards from the bursary fund at GDST schools?

GDST is pretty strict in what they give. They would expect you to use savings to pay for the fees first.

Flip