The Start of Something Good

2 years ago

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Eaton House Schools has created a Foundation to provide three 100 per cent bursaries. Principal Sarah Segrave explains why this is a cause dear to her heart.

The need for bursaries has never been greater, yet it takes determination and passion in a difficult financial climate to take on the challenge of funding bursaries. Some schools offer part-funded places, or choose to offset certain costs such as music classes or instrument purchase.

Eaton House Schools has a long history of offering scholarships and other awards to its pupils, but September 2022 was the first year that we made available three new 100 per cent funded bursaries from Key Stage 2 in Year 3. These bursaries last for the duration of the child’s education, and they allow bright seven-year-olds with potential to enter our schools free of charge.

This provision of three bursaries is an ongoing commitment, with more to come. One is for Eaton House The Manor Pre-Prep and Prep School, leaving at 13+; a second for Eaton House The Manor Girls’ School, leaving at 11+; and a third bursary for Eaton House Belgravia Pre-Prep and Prep, also leaving at 11+.

We are hoping to increase the number of bursaries annually, with a target approaching six bursaries by 2026.

The Foundation itself is a recent innovation, envisioned by a group of Eaton House parents during the pandemic, as they became increasingly conscious of the immense value of the education their children were receiving in difficult circumstances

The Foundation itself is a recent innovation, envisioned by a group of Eaton House parents during the pandemic, as they became increasingly conscious of the immense value of the education their children were receiving in difficult circumstances. They wanted to build a ‘lasting legacy that celebrated the value of an Eaton House Schools education’, by enriching the lives of talented children in the local communities of Belgravia and Clapham.

The new initiative is the school’s first fully paid bursary scheme, covering 100 per cent of the school fees, as well as the cost of lunches and provision for uniform. We feel that the fact this is a 100 per cent bursary is extremely important, as we don’t want participating families to be concerned about any extra incidental costs.

The bursaries are available to individuals from the local community who may not have access to a private education otherwise. Individual incomes and circumstances will be taken into account. Candidates in Year 2 at state primary schools are encouraged to apply.

Bursaries are awarded based on a number of criteria, which include a positive reference from the pupil’s current Head and a strong performance in an interview with the Head of the Eaton House School to which they are applying. We also look for a performance that indicates potential in our 7+ English and mathematics assessments, and a standardised cognitive ability assessment.

Ultimately, the prospective pupil must be deemed by the Head to be able to make good academic progress following admission and to participate in the wider life of the school. We often consider other mitigating factors, such as health and family circumstances.

Our aim is to make this process as easy and comfortable as possible for all the children that take part – and, hopefully, fun!

Our bursary candidates will follow in the footsteps of alumni and inspirations such as former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, actors and Oscar winners Sir Laurence Olivier and Eddie Redmayne, and writer Philip Pullman. They will also join the many happy children who have discovered a love of learning at Eaton House Schools and who then go on to pass on their knowledge to many future generations.

We really can’t wait to meet them!