Bursary applications

[arpo]

Hi all

I’ve seen many comments on this forum which talk about how competitive it is to get bursary places.

But I’ve also seen the school websites say that bursary applications are an entirely separate process from the academic assessment.
For example on the KCS website they write:

^Will it affect my child’s application to the school?

Absolutely not. The school offers places to children based purely on academic merit and the ability of the child to make the most of curriculum offered by the school. The bursary application process is a separate process and will not affect the outcome of your child’s entrance assessment.^

So I’m confused.

Do bursary applicants have to meet a higher standard in entrance tests or the same one as the other applicants?

It’s saying that making a bursary application does not affect whether or not they will offer your child a place if they meet the required level in the entrance assessment.

The next step in the process is then how big a bursary they can / want to offer you. You could be offered a place but no bursary. At some schools they only tend to go to those children who have been awarded a scholarship - with the bursary then being used to top up. At others it’s open to all but purely granted on the basis of need e.g. they may chose to give the bursary to a family taking home £12k over the family taking home £30k. It’s not an exact science and varies from school to school.

Depends on the school.

KCS is quite rich and very committed to being as close to needs-blind admissions s it can afford. So I expect they mean what they say.

Other big, established (and preferably ancient) schools are rich enough to mean it as well (nothing like a few centuries of compound interest to secure your endowments)

Most schools however will be looking for the prospective pupil who brings something they want to the school, because they cannot afford all the bursary candidates who meet that years pass mark. Yes, there are some who demand scholarship level academic performance in entry papers. Others might look at other strengths that bring something desirable to the school (maybe a flair in a co-curricular area that does not quite fit any scholarship), or they may attach particular weight to interview or taster day.

The problem is that state school parents all look at the same few schools at 11+. So for boys those wanting a bursary the Whitgift foundation schools are very well known and offers lots of bursaries so everyone seems to apply there or CLSB. Consequently bursary places are very competitive at these schools. But other more expensive schools do not attract so many state applicants which means there are far fewer bursary applicants. IME KCS has given bursaries to boys of very different academic ability levels, including some in bottom sets. I get cross reading the "you have to be a genius to get a bursary posts" because it maybe true at a few known bursary schools with big 11+ intakes but it isn't the case at most.

My understanding is that assessment for a place is needs blind, if they meet the entry standard in entrance exam/interview a place is offered. However bursary funds tend to be in demand and it makes sense to prioritise an offer of funding to those who can most benefit from and give back to the school community - academically, sport, music, performing arts etc. So it is likely some who apply for a bursary will be offered a full fee place or a lesser bursary amount.

The children wanting a bursary have to beat the competition of the other children wanting one too so in that respect they have to get outstanding results and ace the interview.
Am waiting to hear back about our application

All kids sit exams and x amount are chosen to be offered a place, of those - Y amount will apply for bursaries. If there is not enough money to support all bursary applications then the strongest candidates will be offered bursary support. Strongest candidate in most schools means by exam results although some use past school reports, letter from head and interviews to decide who gets what. The X group could have boys who get a place who did less well in the exams than a Y boy who didn't get a bursary. Because they are paying for place offered, its an extra hoop to jump for a bursary place.

I’m really hoping getting in top ten results is enough for bursary

Did KCS offer exam ranking results?

@arpo re KCS @cakeisalwaystheanswer is correct.

We were very fortunate to be offered a full bursary at KCS. I wouldn't say DS is at the very top academically, but possibly less bursary candidates than you might imagine for such a sort after, well financed school.
Best of luck.

Bursary children are in a separate league of their own - a lot more competitive. Even of the schools claim otherwise. Otherwise, the bursary process would follow the offer stage - which is not the case in 99% of the schools.