Scholarships and Assisted Places
In keeping with the expectations of the charity commissioners we have taken the decision (in 2010) to concentrate our resources into means-tested bursaries rather than scholarships. These awards are open to both day and boarding pupils.
Assisted Places
Assisted Places are available to pupils moving into Years 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 next September. In the Junior School, the awards will be available in Year 3 only from 2012 onwards; November 2011 will be the last opportunity to apply for an Assisted Place for entry to Year 5 (to join in September 2012).
The scheme is a flexible system of means-tested awards which are available to children not currently enrolled in the school. Parents are required to submit a financial declaration before the examination date. Assisted Places will be offered on a basis of performance in the examinations, and at interview, the amount and number of the awards being made at the discretion of the Headmaster, operating within the guidelines set by the Board of Governors. An exceptional candidate can also be awarded an Honorary Scholarship.
External Scholarships
Non-means-tested Scholarships worth 10% of the fees may be awarded to candidates for entry only into Years 7, 9 and 12. Such a candidate will be judged against the standard of Scholars already in the school.
In awarding Scholarships or Assisted places, in addition to academic strength, the Headmaster or Head of the Junior School may take into account any particular aptitude for example in music, drama, art or design or sport. Any applicant who wishes such an ability to be taken into account should advise us. We shall then provide an opportunity for that ability to be assessed and discussed with the appropriate Head of Department.
For further details about Assisted Places and Scholarships please contact the Registrar at admissions@rydeschool.org.uk or by telephone to (01983) 617970. For further information about the level of financial assistance available, please contact the Bursar at bursar@rydeschool.org.uk or by telephone to (01983) 617932.
Scholarships awarded internally
These awards, which are not means-tested, are based upon academic performance of pupils already in the school. Each award will attract a small reduction in fees, which can continue through the pupil's career, subject to sustained satisfactory performance. In awarding scholarships the Headmaster may take into account exceptional abilities in other areas of school life such as music, drama, art or design, or sport.
Scholarships may be awarded to Junior School pupils on entry into Year 7 on the basis of the Summer term examination and the recommendation of the Head of the Junior School.
Scholarships are awarded to pupils on merit at the end of the Summer term in Year 9 on the basis of performance through the year and examination results. Scholarships are also awarded into the Lower Sixth (Year 12) on the basis of GCSE results (the bench mark is an average of 10 A grades). The value of a Scholarship is 10% of the fees, though this cannot be added on top of an Assisted Place award.
