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BURSARIES
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH SCHOOL FEES
One of the Governors’ main objectives is to make a Westholme education financially available to as many as possible. To that end the tuition fees charged by Westholme are amongst the lowest in the country. However there are still some parents whose income prevents them considering Westholme for their children and for those situations the Governors make further provision through two different types of bursary, namely Foundation Bursaries and Governors’ Bursaries. A bursary is a discount on fees awarded after parents have made a confidential application, giving family financial circumstances.
FOUNDATION BURSARIES
These are a new addition since September 2007 and are designed to assist those parents who could not manage the fees, even with the assistance of a Governors’ Bursary. They are for pupils entering Year 7 only and are normally awarded following the Entrance Examination in November for entry the next September. If your family annual income exceeds £15,000, then your application is not likely to be successful for a Foundation Bursary. Up to four awards may be made each year, determined by funds available. The award will be up to 100% of tuition fees, lunch charges and an initial £500 to assist with school uniform and other set-up costs. The awards will be made on the basis of success at the Entrance Examination, financial need, assessment by the Foundation Bursaries’ Committee, operated by the Principal, and confirmation by the Board of Governors. A successful application should expect a home visit to confirm domestic and financial circumstances. Although offered on an annual basis, the expectation is that an award will run for seven years, assuming little change in financial circumstances and satisfactory progress by the pupil concerned. If you want to apply for a Foundation Bursary, you should tick the relevant box on the School Application Form and the necessary application form will be sent to you. Unsuccessful applicants for a Foundation Bursary can apply for a Governors’ Bursary.
It needs to be emphasised that an application does not automatically guarantee an award.
GOVERNORS’ BURSARIES
These are normally available only to pupils entering Year 7. If parents’ relevant income exceeds £40,000 per annum then it is most unlikely an application will be successful. The award is based on relevant family income tempered by performance at the Entrance Examination. Normally a Governors’ Bursary award will not exceed 50% of fees. If parental income is less than £15,000 then, all other matters being equal, a maximum award of 50% is likely, but cannot be guaranteed. All applications must be supported by a financial statement completed on a proforma available from the Bursary and coupled with documentary evidence of income. Other normal charges, such as lunches, and optional extras such as coach travel and individual music tuition, also need to be taken into consideration. Normally about ten awards are made each year, but the precise number is dependent on the overall grant decided by the Governors and extent of the demand. Although offered on an annual basis, the expectation is that an award will run for the whole time a pupil is at Westholme, assuming little change in financial circumstances and satisfactory progress by the pupil concerned. If you want to apply for a Governors’ Bursary, you should tick the relevant box on the School Application Form. Governors’ Bursaries are also available to existing pupils whose parents find themselves in unexpected financial difficulties such as redundancy. It needs to be emphasised that an application does not automatically guarantee an award.
If you require any further information on bursaries or want to discuss the matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact either the Fees Secretary or the Bursar.
SCHOLARSHIPS
This year we are delighted to announce the launch of the Halliwells LLP Scholarship for Excellence, donated kindly by Halliwells, the leading North West law firm. The scholarship is a one-off award of £1000 to be given to the top performer in the Year 7 entrance examination, taken in November.
There are two new scholarships available for Sixth Formers, based on GCSE results. The highest performer in GCSE Geography will be awarded the Eureka Scholarship and the highest performer in GCSE Art will receive the Artisan Interiors Scholarship. These are a one off awards for £500 each to aid studies in the Sixth Form at Westholme.
Further details on scholarships are available from the Fees Secretary : feessecretary@westholmeschool.com
