Partnership School
Bursary Information
Bursary FAQs
1. What is a Bursary?
A Bursary is a financial support scheme in which the School contributes towards part or all of a student’ s fees, depending on the outcome of an assessment of the family’ s financial circumstances.
It is different from a Scholarship, which is awarded based on a student’ s exceptional ability in specific areas such as academics, music, sport, or arts
As Bursaries and Scholarships are awarded on different criteria, a student may be eligible to receive both
2. How much is a Bursary?
Bursaries at St Helen’ s School vary in value, ranging from 5% to 100% of school fees, depending on individual circumstances
For students receiving a 100% bursary, the package also includes:
• School lunches
• School coach service (to and from school)
• Specific items of uniform (a letter detailing included items will be provided)
• One compulsory co-curricular activity in Year 10
• Compulsory educational trips and visits
• One residential trip during the student’ s time at St Helen’ s (up to the value of £750)
• A school laptop (loaned)
• Exam fees
These costs vary depending on the exam board and qualification type (GCSE or A Level).
Each bursary is awarded based on a thorough assessment of financial need, ensuring that talented students have access to a St Helen’ s education regardless of financial background.
3. Why does the School have a Bursary Programme?
We are keen to promote the attendance at the School by students whose parents might not be able to afford full fees but would greatly benefit from the education we offer
4. Who should apply?
Applications for a Bursary are open to all students who register for the entrance exam by the deadline and who feel they may not be able to afford all or part of the school fees
5. Why St Helen’s School?
We offer a dedicated and personal experience to all Bursary students, ensuring a smooth transition into the Senior School and Sixth Form
Being part of the Bursary Programme means entering into a partnership with the School through which we work together to ensure that all students are able to fulfil their potential at St Helen’ s
Our Engagement and Support Liaison Lead
We have a dedicated member of the teaching staff who has overall responsibility for the academic and pastoral progress of Bursary students.
They ensure that our students who receive Bursary funding receive all aspects of the Bursary Programme to which they are entitled.
Our Engagement and Support Liaison
Lead meets with bursary students in regular 1:1 mentoring sessions to catch up on how school life is going and to ascertain whether there are any further ways that the School can assist a student’ s overall development
The Engagement and Support Liaison Lead communicates with parents regularly to ensure that our students settle in, enjoy learning and take up many of the opportunities available at St Helen’ s
The Engagement and Support Liaison Lead can also offer additional parental guidance and support where this would be beneficial and is happy to receive any bursary-related queries from parents
“ I was fortunate to be awarded an assisted place which enabled me to remain at St Helen’ s. I had been at the School since Prep School, so moving school would have been a huge upheaval for me in the run up to my exams. At a time when life outside school had become quite stressful, I felt I could rely on the stability and normality of a very supportive school community.
Bursaries and assisted places are good for the whole community of the school. They allow children who would never otherwise be able to benefit from the excellent teaching and co-curricular programme that the school has to offer to come to the school. And they provide a huge amount of support to families who find themselves unexpectedly in need of assistance, often at times of great stress.
The whole school community benefits enormously, particularly in the case of Bursaries offered to those who would not otherwise come to the school at all - often these are the girls who put their heart and soul into their studies and pursuits: they know just how lucky they are. ”
Amanda Little, Alumna
8. How will I know if I can apply for a Bursary and when should I apply?
6. How do I apply for a Bursary?
Tick the box which says ‘Applying for Bursary’ on the online registration form Registration is free for parents from our Partnership Schools (see page 6) You can submit your registration form before the deadline There is no ‘first come first served’ basis for this.
7. When to apply?
Once you have completed the registration form and submitted it by the registration deadline, you will have until the Bursary & Scholarship deadline to complete the Bursary application process, details of which will be emailed to you by our independent service provider, Bursary Assessment Associates
For the most up to date deadlines, please see our websitewww sthelens london/admissions/ welcome
Following completion and receipt of the registration form, and subject to your daughter being offered a place in either Year 7 or Year 12, your Bursary application will be assessed, and you will be informed whether you have been successful To view our Bursary and Hardship policy please click here
9. What and when are the 11+ assessments?
St Helen’ s School is part of a consortium of 14 independent schools in North London that manage their admissions process collectively, in order to reduce the number of assessments sat by students at 11+
The 11+ assessment is a bespoke online test used by this consortium to determine a student’ s proficiency in English and Mathematics, as well as their creativity, logic and problemsolving ability
The 11+ assessment takes place in December Further information regarding this test and practice questions to familiarise you and your daughter with the test can be found on our website - www sthelens london/ admissions/ welcome/11-entry
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. How will I know if we have been successful?
Offers are posted in the Spring Term and you have until the acceptance deadline to accept a place If your daughter is offered a place at St Helen’ s, the offer will tell you if your daughter has been awarded a Bursary and/or Scholarship and its value
11. How long does a Bursary last?
Once awarded, a Bursary stays with the student throughout her time at St Helen’ s, subject to:
a. An annual financial review to ensure that the family circumstances have not changed, using the same process as the original application (e.g. by you providing supporting financial information and documentation)
b. The student upholding her obligations, such as working hard, contributing positively to the life of the School, being a credit to the School and setting a good example to other students
“ Receiving a Bursary helped me keep my daughter in the best education. I couldn’t afford to pay the full amount as a single mum and I was going through a tricky divorce. It made a massive impact on my daughter’ s life and helped us both emotionally and financially so I could not be
more thankful.
The Bursary helped my daughter to stay where she really wanted to be. By working hard, and with fantastic support, she could go to the university she dreamed of. I believe that a Bursary should always be available for people who go through a difficult time. This support can transform a life for better. I strongly believe that St Helen’ s should carry on choosing the right girls to receive a Bursary. This prevents vulnerable girls from losing their confidence, especially as the girls who may need them the most may also have stressful circumstances at home.
I am so grateful for what I received from St Helen’ s during my daughter’ s education. She would not have become the person she is today without that opportunity. ”
Leila Parsapour, Parent
St Helen’s Partnership Schools
St Helen’ s is currently in partnership with the following schools:
• Coteford Junior school
• Eastbury Farm Primary School
• Frithwood School
• Greenfields Primary School
• Harlyn primary School
• Hillside Junior School
• Holy Trinity C of E Primary School
• Newton Farm Nursery, Infant and Junior School
• St Joseph’ s Primary School
“ My family entered financial difficulties in my GCSE year at school. At an incredibly stressful time, a Bursary provided stability and the emotional reassurance of remaining within a supportive network of friends and teachers.
The quality of the academic teaching and small Sixth Form class sizes at St Helen’ s were instrumental in securing my place at a top university and later in carving out a career in commercial law that I might not have been able to achieve elsewhere. The Bursary also enabled me to continue to pursue the co-curricular activities I loved, such as Music, Drama and public speaking, all of which have helped me to become a more well-rounded and confident person. ”
St Helen’s School Alumna
Together, we are working to improve links between the school communities, including:
• Organising joint events, such as STEM, Engineering and Sports Masterclasses
• Phonics and Reading programmes
• Support with Modern Foreign Languages, Science, Computer Science
• Music lessons for choir, piano and violin
• Joint training for staff
As part of this community, the Partnership Schools have an exclusive pathway into the St Helen’ s Bursary Programme.
“ Receiving a Bursary enabled me to stay on in the Sixth Form and finish my studies with the peace of mind that the financial side of my education was taken care of. I was able to finish my A Levels with the support of teachers who had known me for most of my life.
As a result of this support, I was able to attend the University of Bristol, the university I always dreamed of going to, to study the perfect course for me - Experimental Psychology. I am so thankful to the school for allowing me to explore all my options and become the person I am today. ”
St Helen’s School Alumna