Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarships are awarded for outstanding ability in Academics, Sports, Outdoor Education, Art, Music and Drama.

• Academic Scholarship -   15% reduction in day fees
• Other Scholarships      -   10% reduction in day fees 

There is also the opportunity to apply for an additional, means-tested bursary. All scholarships awarded will be reviewed annually in the light of pupils' progress, commitment and behavior.

Taster Days

For each year of entry there is Taster Day to join the year group for a day. This is an excellent opportunity to experience life at Windermere School for students to attend lessons, meet fellow classmates, and join after school activities with the option of spending a night in one of the boarding houses.

For further information regarding all Scholarship Assessments please contact admissions@windermereschool.co.uk 
Means-tested Bursaries

Financial assistance is available to families with pupils who attend Windermere School in Years 7-13 (ie age 11-18). Bursaries are intended to broaden access to the School, through enabling children from diverse backgrounds to benefit from an independent education regardless of financial means. Currently 12% of senior school pupils are in receipt of means-tested bursaries, with a value equivalent to 7.0% of the Senior School’s gross fee income (5.5% of overall fee income).

Although bursaries are not normally granted with respect to pupils at the Preparatory School the Board of Governors does consider exceptions. These may include means-tested awards for existing families, where a significant change in circumstances makes this appropriate, or occasionally for new families.


Who is Eligible?

The School offers fee assistance to parents whose income is such that they would not otherwise be able to pay full fees. Awards are based on children’s performance in entrance examinations and the degree of assistance required. The latter is calculated via an annual declaration of assets income and some liabilities. Bursaries continue throughout recipients’ time in the School.

The School’s policy on means-tested bursaries can be downloaded using the link at the bottom of this page.

Parents whose annual household income is less than approximately £20,000 may be offered full remission of fees. Those parents whose annual income exceeds approximately £65,000 will not normally qualify for assistance.


How to apply for a Bursary

If you wish to be considered for a bursary please indicate this when completing and submittting a Registration Form. Parents who have indicated the need for financial support will be sent a form entitled Statement of Financial Circumstances. This will require the declaration of current annual income and assets, and relevant out-goings. No submission will be considered unless accompanied by valid proof of the relevant criteria.

Any offer, if made, will inform parents of the level of bursary award in terms of the contribution towards fees.

This support will continue for every year in which the child in receipt of a bursary remains at the School. We may ask for a greater proportion of the fees to be paid if your income should rise, but there is no obligation on the School's part to increase the percentage should income fall; in the latter situation each particular case will be judged on its merits. Each January, therefore, most parents with children in receipt of bursaries will be asked to complete a new Statement of Financial Circumstances.

HMC Eastern European Initiative

The HMC sponsors and co-ordinates a scheme whereby schools can extend fee support of up to 100% to bright students in certain Eastern European countries to enable them to attend the Sixth Form in British schools. HMC undertakes the means-testing and academic evaluation of students in this scheme, in which Windermere School is pleased to participate. By doing so, the School contributes to international awareness, co-operation and friendship that transcends national borders and provides exceptional opportunities for deserving students.

Click link to download the Bursaries Policy

Revised: 8 April 2010


Awards

The Cumbria Award is available each year to a candidate for Year 7 entry who is currently in a maintained school, and whose family can demonstrate in a means test that they need at least 75% reduction in school fees. Candidates should sit the Year 7 Scholarship Entrance Examination.

The HMC Central and East European Awards of up to 100% reduction in school fees are available to candidates for Sixth Form entry, only on the recommendation of the HMC Central and East European Project.