A bursary is a reduction in the fees charged by the school to parents for a child’s education. The reduction can range from 25% up to 100%. 

A bursary reduces the amount the pupil’s parents, legal guardians or fee payers (‘Parents’) pay for the pupil’s education at Summer Fields.

Bursaries are available for boys joining Summer Fields most typically in Year 6 and Year 7. All applicants must meet the minimum academic standard of entry and there must be a genuine financial need for assistance with fees.

All bursaries are ‘means-tested’. The amount of help with fees depends on each family’s circumstances. Family assets, income, liabilities and lifestyle will all be taken into consideration.

Where demand exceeds funds available for bursaries, awards will be made on the basis of the applicant’s potential and performance in the entry assessments.

In addition, each pupil to whom support is offered must, in the opinion of the Headmaster, be likely to make sound academic progress following admission and possess the potential to develop the quality of their work, and benefit from participation in the wider, extra-curricular activities on offer at Summer Fields.

In the first instance, please register your child with our Registrar, Mrs Christine Berry and indicate that you would like to apply for a bursary.     Email: admissions@summerfields.com  Tel: 01865 459204 / 07483 357895. Applications should be submitted by the end of October of the year prior to entry.                                          Means-testing is conducted in partnership with a third party.  Parents are required to provide evidence of their financial circumstances.

The Maclaren Foundation awards are assessed by the Board of Trustees with advice from the Headmaster and the Director of Finance.  Further bursaries may sometimes be made available at the discretion of the Headmaster.

Bursary awards are made following a financial evaluation based on a combination of family income and the value of assets and liabilities.  A range of other criteria will also be reviewed including ownership of second properties, number of dependents, additional incline potential for those parents not in full-time employment, lifestyle and holidays, the potential for additional support from family members, pension contributions, and the ability to release capital where assets and property exist.  The school does not disclose specific financial thresholds or details criteria used in the financial evaluation. 

IS MY SON'S APPLICATION TO SUMMER FIELDS NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY APPLYING FOR A BURSARY? 

Applying for a bursary will never negatively impact the likelihood of a pupil being awarded a place at Summer Fields.

Applications should be submitted no later than the end of October of the year prior to entry.

Bursaries are ‘means-tested’ which means they take into account a financial need, whereas scholarships recognise achievement regardless of financial need.

Bursaries are always treated confidentially. Only those responsible for awarding your child’s bursary will know your child has been awarded a bursary.

If you are already in receipt of a bursary then you must advise the School of any important changes in your financial circumstances as soon as possible.

Bursary awards are reviewed annually when in the Lent term the schools sends parents a request to update their financial information.  Existing bursary holders can expect requests for updates on their financial situation from time to time.  The updated information is then reviewed by the school and awards can either be increased or decreased according to changes in circumstances.  Continuing bursary support is subject to a pupil making good academic progress, demonstrating satisfactory behaviour, and contributing positively to school life.