A bursary (assistance with fees) to attend the RGS can offer a life-changing experience, providing students with the knowledge, the values and the skills to flourish at school and beyond. With our exceptional pastoral care and mentoring schemes, and our culture of mutual support and respect, we are proud of our commitment to provide a secure and nurturing environment for boys from all walks of life. Our vision is to realise the talent of future generations by providing an excellent education to boys of all backgrounds. As a result, although entry is competitive, any parent who would like their son to come to the RGS should not be deterred from applying for financial reasons as bursary funding is offered to successful applicants on a means-tested basis.
After the School’s foundation in 1509, King Edward VI ordered in 1552 that there was to be “one Grammar School in Guildford… for the education, institution and instruction of boys and youths in Grammar at all future times for ever to endure.” The RGS is an unusual independent school in that for periods of its 500-year history the education offered has been fully inclusive, without financial implication. As part of the state-maintained system from 1945 – 79 all boys at the RGS received their education free of charge. To this day the School continues to be inclusive with around one third of boys from state primary schools and boys who come from over 150 different schools in the local area. This results in a social and cultural diversity which enriches our community and offers unique opportunities as we strive to realise each individual’s potential.
Today, over 70 boys receive means-tested financial assistance of whom nearly three-quarters were offered 50% fee support or more. The Headmaster’s long-term ambition is for full merit-based open access where every single student who earns his place, irrespective of his financial circumstances, can become an RGS student. Currently financial support ranges between 5% and 100% assistance. Families on very low incomes may also be assisted with the cost of lunches, travel, trips and various other financial aspects.
Bursaries are available for those boys applying to join the School at 11. There is no set number of bursary awards that may be made; the funds available will determine the number of awards granted. The value of bursaries is set by strict criteria and is based upon financial need; these are rigorously means tested and reviewed each year. Applications for bursaries should be made when applying for a place at the School. All information is kept strictly confidential.
While the criteria for full and partial bursaries depends on a range of financial variables based on both parents’ income, allowable expenditure as specified in the bursary scheme, and assets, some illustrative examples of the level of support which may be offered are shown below:
- Families with a net household income of less than £26,000 per annum, with limited assets, may be eligible to be considered for a full bursary, equivalent to 100% of fees.
- Families with a net household income of £33,000 per annum, with limited assets, may be eligible to be considered for a bursary of up to 75% of fees.
- Families with a net household income of £40,000 per annum, with limited assets, may be eligible to be considered for a bursary of up to 50% of fees.
- Families with a net household income of £60,000 per annum, with limited assets, may be eligible to be considered for a bursary of up to 25% of fees.
Families with a net household income of in excess of £75,000 per annum are highly unlikely to qualify for bursary support.
Bursary applications should be completed via an online link, which includes contact details for a dedicated helpdesk which is available to answer your questions and help you to complete the form.
For entrance bursaries, the link will be issued by the Head of Admissions (Registrar & Marketing) to applicants indicating an interest or on request in early October. Applications for September 2025 entry will have until 30 November 2024 to complete the forms.