Applying for an RGS Bursary

We welcome bursary applications from families who are permanent residents of the North East of England and who meet the eligibility criteria outlined on this page.

If you are a carer, lead educator, social worker, or another adult supporting a young person who may benefit from a bursary place, please get in touch with us directly. We’re happy to discuss the next steps and guide you through the process.

If you’ve read through the information on this page and believe your child may be eligible for a bursary, you can begin the application process by clicking the Apply Now button. Applications must be submitted by the deadline listed above.

When completing the online application form, make sure to tick the box indicating you are applying for a bursary. We’re unable to accept bursary applications after the deadline.

Once registered, you’ll receive a link to complete a financial assessment form via Bursary+. This form must be submitted by the date specified. If the financial form is not completed, your child will no longer be considered for a bursary, and the application will be treated as a full fee-paying place.

Please note:
Once a child enters RGS on a full fee-paying basis, it is not possible to transfer to a bursary place later. It’s important to get this stage right - if you’re unsure, we encourage you to contact us before applying.

Bursaries are available for new students joining RGS at our main entry points:

• Year 3 (age 7+) - typically 1 bursary place
• Year 5 (age 9+) - typically 1 bursary place
• Year 7 (age 11+) - typically 10 bursary places
• Year 12 (Sixth Form) (age 16+) - typically 6 bursary places

Please note that the number of places may vary slightly from year to year.

We also offer specialist Sixth Form Reece Engineering Bursaries for students with a strong interest in pursuing careers in engineering. These have additional academic criteria. Click here to learn more about Reece Engineering Bursaries.

All RGS bursaries are means-tested, which means applicants must meet both our academic entry requirements and financial eligibility criteria. RGS does not offer academic-only scholarships.

We’re looking for bright, curious children with strong academic potential - students who will thrive in RGS’s fast-paced and supportive environment. Many of our successful bursary applicants have been high achievers in their current schools or have shown particular interests or talents.

Our academic assessment process is designed to identify students who will make the most of the opportunities at RGS. In return, successful applicants benefit from:

• Specialist teaching
• Outstanding facilities
• A wide range of co-curricular activities
• A warm, nurturing school community

After registering, your child will be invited to take part in an academic assessment. The format varies depending on the entry point (Junior School, Senior School, or Sixth Form), but the process is the same for both bursary and fee-paying applicants.

We encourage families not to over-prepare or seek tutoring for these assessments. They are designed to help us understand whether RGS is the right fit for your child - and in our experience, that fit cannot be forced.

If your child is shortlisted for a bursary place, our Head of Bursary Support will contact you to arrange a home visit. This is an opportunity to get to know your family and explore how RGS can support your child to make the most of their time at school.

Our bursary funds are limited and carefully targeted to support families who would not otherwise be able to afford full school fees. If you apply for a bursary, it’s because you are seeking financial assistance - please note that you cannot switch to a full fee-paying place later in the process, even if your bursary application is unsuccessful. If you’re unsure whether to apply, we encourage you to contact us for a confidential conversation.

We assess each application individually, taking into account:

• Household income (including benefits)
• Assets and savings
• Number of children in the household
• Parental responsibility arrangements
• Family outgoings and lifestyle

Most bursary places are awarded to families eligible for full fee support. These families typically have a gross household income of £55,000 or less. We aim to make a transformational difference for bright students who would otherwise not be able to attend RGS.

In determining the level of support, we also consider:

• Current earnings and potential to increase income
• Whether both parents are working (unless prevented by health, caring responsibilities, or other valid reasons)
• Opportunities to release capital (e.g. savings, investments, property equity)
• Financial contributions from both parents (in cases of separation)
• Support from extended family or other adults in the household
• Fees paid to other schools or organisations
• Overall family lifestyle

To ensure bursaries are awarded fairly, the following circumstances may be considered inconsistent with receiving financial support:

• Significant savings or investments
• Another child attending an independent school on a full fee place
• Ownership of second properties or land
• Frequent or expensive holidays
• Luxury or high-value vehicles

We understand that families receiving bursary support may find some of the wider costs of school life challenging. We aim to ensure that financial circumstances are not a barrier to any eligible student applying to RGS.

In addition to helping with school fees, bursary support may also include:

• School lunches - provided for all bursary students, regardless of the level of fee support
• Uniform and sports kit grants - available to some families receiving full bursaries
• Co-curricular clubs - access to clubs and activities is included
• Essential curriculum-related trips - covered as part of the bursary package

Our goal is to ensure that bursary students can take full advantage of everything RGS has to offer.

As part of your bursary application, you’ll be asked to complete an initial financial assessment form. This includes submitting supporting documents, which are essential for us to process your application.

We assess each application carefully and fairly, taking into account:

• All sources of household income (including salaries and benefits such as Personal Independence Payments)
• Family outgoings
• Assets (e.g. savings, shares, property ownership)
• Liabilities (e.g. mortgage, loans)
• The value and council tax band of your home
• Family size
• School places for other children (whether fee-paying or bursary-supported)

We understand that every family situation is different. If you’re unsure what to include, we encourage you to contact our finance team for guidance. In cases where parents are separated but share parental responsibility, we will consider both sets of financial circumstances.

By mid-January, you’ll receive an indication of the level of bursary support you may be eligible for. This is not a formal offer, but it gives you a sense of what financial support could be available if your child is offered a place.

If your child is shortlisted following academic assessments, you’ll be asked to provide documentary evidence to support the financial information you’ve submitted. Our finance team may follow up with questions to ensure we have a full understanding of your circumstances.

Please note:

• Your child’s academic performance does not affect the amount of bursary awarded.
• All financial information is handled in strict confidence and in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Once all academic assessments, financial reviews, and home visits are complete, our bursary assessment team meets to carefully consider each applicant. Final decisions are made by the Headmaster, based on recommendations from the team.

Because bursary places are limited, we take into account a wide range of factors - not just academic performance. We’re looking for students who will thrive at RGS and make the most of the opportunities available.

We consider qualities such as:

• A love of learning - curiosity, enthusiasm, and a readiness to embrace RGS’s fast-paced and diverse academic environment
• Ambition to succeed - a growth mindset and the potential to stretch, innovate, and challenge themselves
• Belief in each other - a collaborative spirit and respect for peers
• Sense of belonging - a willingness to contribute to school life and the wider community

These qualities help us identify students who will flourish at RGS and benefit most from a bursary place.

In most cases, yes. We intend that once a bursary is awarded, it will remain in place for the duration of your child’s time at RGS - provided they maintain good attendance, a positive attitude to learning and behaviour, and your family continues to meet the financial eligibility criteria.

We understand that financial circumstances can change, so bursaries are reviewed annually. Families are required to resubmit financial information each year, and the level of support may adjust depending on your situation.

If your household income or circumstances change significantly, please let us know as soon as possible. Please note that voluntary reductions in income - such as choosing to reduce working hours - will not result in increased bursary support.

Bursary students experience life at RGS just like any other student. They have access to the same academic and pastoral support, co-curricular opportunities, and facilities as fee-paying pupils.

In most cases, a bursary student’s status is kept confidential. Some students choose to share this with their peers, but the school does not disclose this information. Only a small number of staff are aware of bursary recipients - typically the Headmaster, senior colleagues, the finance team, and your child’s Form Supervisor or Head of Year.

In Sixth Form, it may be relevant for your child’s Form Supervisor or UCAS referee to be aware of their bursary status, particularly if it supports their university application.

Throughout their time at RGS, bursary families can access additional support from our Head of Bursary Support, who is available to offer guidance and help ensure students make the most of their time at school.

Our bursary programme is made possible thanks to generous donors. While we share anonymised updates with them about the impact of their support, individual students are never identified. Many bursary families choose to write anonymous letters of thanks, and some former students openly share their bursary journey after leaving RGS - helping to inspire others and encourage future support.

Bursary places at RGS are highly competitive. Unfortunately, the number of eligible applicants often exceeds the funding available. This means that even if your child meets the academic criteria and your family qualifies for financial support, a bursary may not be offered.

We understand this can be disappointing after going through a rigorous application process. Please note that children who meet the academic requirements but are not awarded a bursary are not automatically offered a fee-paying place.

If your financial circumstances change significantly after your original application, you may request that your child be added to the waiting list. Their academic assessment remains valid for two terms, allowing flexibility should a place become available.