Means-Tested-Bursaries | Admissions | King Edward's School, Bath

A means-tested bursary is a financial award made by the School to assist families to pay the school fees if they require financial assistance to do so.

No, we only offer means-tested bursaries at Year 7 (11+) and Year 12 (16+) entry only.  These then typically continue throughout a pupil's time at the School. We do not offer means-tested bursaries at the Prep School (formerly known as King Edward's Junior School).

 When considering a bursary application, we assess a family’s income, expenditure, savings, property and any other realisable assets. We also consider family size, dependant responsibilities and any other relevant factors. Bursary awards are determined on a sliding scale according to financial need, with higher levels of income or assets corresponding to lower levels of means-tested bursary support.   As every individual family is different, we do not publish specific criteria for the basis on which the value of any means-tested bursary awards are made.  

  The criteria below are provided as an indication of the circumstances in which a pupil may be considered for bursary support where there is only one pupil at the School (please see our question on siblings below):  

A pupil may be eligible for a full bursary where the following criteria are met:  

• Total gross household income is below £50,000.  
• The family has minimal assets such as savings (i.e. below £10,000) and/or a property of a modest value (as determined by the School) for the local city or region.  

   A pupil may be eligible for a partial bursary where the following criteria are met:  

• Total gross household income is below £110,000 but above £50,000.  
• The family holds a modest level of savings (i.e. below £20,000) and/or a property of an average value (as determined by the School) for the local city or region.  

  In order to ensure that the School can demonstrate appropriate use of its charitable funds on the awarding of bursaries, the School will not usually consider awarding bursaries of any value to families where any of the following criteria apply:  

• Where a family has significant savings (i.e. in excess of £30,000), excluding pensions;  
• Where any primary residence owned by a family is of a value materially in excess of the average house price (as determined by the School) for the local city or region;   
• Where a family own a second property;  
• Where only one parent or guardian is in paid employment, unless the other parent or guardian is unable to work due to illness, disability, caring responsibilities or another circumstance accepted by the School.

We offer means-tested bursaries at two entry points: Year 7 (11+) and Year 12 (16+). 

11+ (Year 7) Entry  

Step 1: If you wish to apply for a bursary for Year 7 entry, please select 'I would like to apply for a bursary' when completing the online application form. The deadline for completing the online application form is Monday 16th November 2026.

Step 2: Once you have submitted the form, you will receive a bursary application form and guidance on how to complete it. This is managed by a third party (Bursary Assessment Associates – BAA). The formal deadline for completing a bursary application for September 2027 entry is Friday 27th November 2026. We recommend you submit your form by Monday 23rd November in case we need to follow up with you ahead of the formal deadline.   

Step 3: Applicants will be invited to attend our assessment morning on Saturday 16th January 2027. Your child will also be invited to an interview that will take place between November 2026 and January 2027. If you have also applied for a Special Talent Award, assessment days for these will take place in mid-January.   

Step 4: Offer letters will be sent out in February 2027. If you have applied for a bursary, details of any bursary award, including the percentage of fee assistance offered, will be provided alongside your offer letter, enabling you to make a fully informed decision.  

Step 5: The deadline for accepting an offer is Monday 1 March 2027. To secure your child's place, a deposit of £500 is required. If paying the deposit would present challenges, please contact our Bursary Support Lead, Freya Geary-Smith, on f.gearysmith@kesbath.com or 01225 464313 (Ext. 258).   

16+ (Year 12) Entry  

Step 1: If you wish to apply for a bursary for Year 12 entry, please select 'I would like to apply for a bursary' when completing the online application form. The deadline for completing the online application form is Friday 23rd October 2026.  

Step 2: Once you have submitted the form, you will receive a bursary application form and guidance on how to complete it. This is managed by a third party (Bursary Assessment Associates – BAA). The deadline for completing a bursary application for September 2027 entry is Friday 2nd November 2026.   

Step 3: Applicants will be invited to an interview taking place on Saturday 14th November 2026.  

Step 4: Offer letters will be sent out in early December 2026. If you have applied for a bursary, details of any bursary award, including the percentage of fee assistance offered, will be provided alongside your offer letter, enabling you to make a fully informed decision.  

Step 5: The deadline for accepting an offer is Friday 11th December 2026.  

Freya, during these applications are you available for support?  If so, is it worth saying here somewhere.   

If you would like support at any point during this process, please don’t hesitate to contact our Bursary Support and Educational Partnerships Lead Freya Geary-Smith on f.gearysmith@kesbath.com. 

No. A bursary application cannot be submitted ahead of an application for a place at the School. The two processes run in parallel, and completing the School’s online application form triggers the bursary application process to begin. Once your application for a place has been submitted, the separate bursary application form and guidance will be sent to you. 

If you would like to speak to someone before making an application, please contact our Bursary Support and Educational Partnerships Lead Freya Geary-Smith on f.gearysmith@kesbath.com. 

  The deadline for completing the online application form is Monday 16th November 2026.  

If you indicate on the online application form that you wish to apply for a bursary, the separate bursary application forms and supporting guidance will then be sent to you.  

The deadlines for returning the bursary application are:  

• Year 12 applicants - 2 November 2026  
• Year 7 applicants - 27 November 2026  

Once awarded, bursaries will normally continue throughout a pupil's time at the School, provided there has been no significant change in the family's financial circumstances or the School's financial position.

All bursaries are subject to annual review and may be varied up or down if family financial circumstances alter, but this will always be done in discussion and consultation with parents/guardians.  

The annual review will be conducted through the Bursar’s office during the Spring and early part of the Summer Terms. The School usually uses the Third Party organisation, BAA, to manage its annual review process and the process may also involve an on-line meeting with representatives of this third party. 

 A bursary is means-tested and based on family income/outgoings. Academic scholarships and special talent awards are based on the candidate’s ability and potential within a specific specialism.  

We award academic scholarships based on performance in the Year 7 entrance exams, and special talent awards for pupils who demonstrate outstanding talent in Art, Drama, Music or Sport.  

Special talent awards attract a fee remission of 5% and academic scholarships attract a fee remission of 10%. They apply until the end of Year 11, subject to continued strong performance and achievement in the relevant area.  

You cannot apply for an Academic Scholarship, these are awarded by the School and are based on performance in the admissions assessment. You can apply for a special talent award. The deadline for applying for a Special Talent Awards, for entry in September 2027, is Monday, 16th November 2026.