The Governors of the Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools are committed to broadening access to the schools by offering to eligible parents/guardians means-tested financial support with payment of schools fees.  Such support is known as a Bursary or Assisted Place and these may be awarded in the form of a discount of up to 100% on tuition fees payable, depending on the financial, compassionate or other pertinent circumstances of applicants. 

a. A Bursary

This may be applied for by parents who feel they are unable to accept a place without financial help.  All awards are subject to a review each year and may be varied upwards or downwards, depending on parental circumstances.    

Financial support may be made available to parent/guardians of children entering the Senior School at any stage and entering The Grange at age 7 or 8.  Parents/guardians seeking financial assistance are required to complete an application form which seeks to establish the financial circumstances of the household.  The form, which requests details of income and capital must be accompanied by full documentary evidence and can be obtained from the Bursar.  The completed forms, together with the necessary documentary evidence, are to be submitted to the Bursar. The amount of financial assistance awarded is not influenced by the level of the academic ability of the child but by the extent of need.  Each case is assessed on its own merits and awards are made accordingly, subject to the School’s ability to fund these within the context of what is viable within the context of its overall budget.  The decision will be made by the Headmaster. 

Current bursary holders will be issued with means-testing forms at the beginning of May each year for return by the end of the month.  For those previously in receipt of financial awards.  The Head and the Bursar, have the discretion to recommend to the Governors the reduction or withdrawal of an award not only where a pupil’s progress, attitude or behaviour has been unsatisfactory but also where the parents/guardians have failed to support the School, for example by the late payment of any contribution they are making to the fees. 

The Schools respect the confidentiality of awards and assisted places made to families and recipients are expected to do likewise. 

b. An Assisted Place  

The Assisted Places Scheme was set up by the Governors of the two Monmouth Schools to replace the former Government Scheme and is for parents with relatively low income.  The cost of the Scheme is met out of endowment income arising from the original gift in 1614 by the Schools’ founder and benefactor, William Jones.   The general conditions are set out below although the Governors do reserve the right to vary or amend these.      

Is my child eligible? 

Assisted Places are available to children who enter the School at age 11, 13 or 16 and whose parents’ gross family income falls below a certain level.   Gross family income will normally be the total of the gross income of both parents (or common law spouses or partners who form a family unit) from all sources including unearned income.  

What assistance is available? 

Assistance from the Scheme will be provided to meet the cost of tuition fees only, although further financial assistance to meet the extra costs for parents who wish their child to board might also be available.

As stated above, the assessment is made following consideration of a number of factors.   However, as a guide, for the School year 2011/12 parents with a relevant income of less than £14,000 per year would not be expected to pay anything towards tuition fees whilst parents with an annual relevant income of more than £40,000 are unlikely to be eligible.   For those with incomes between these figures, the allowance would be assessed on a sliding scale.   In addition, assistance may be available depending on the parents’ income towards the costs of transport to school, school uniform, and for school meals.

How does the Scheme work?

The Assisted Place allowance will normally be based on parents’ total income for the tax year prior to the school year in question.   For example, the allowance for the school year 2011/12 will be based on income in the tax year 2010/11.   Parents will be required to provide official verification of their income.   The amount of assistance will be reviewed each year and so parents will be required to complete an annual return of their income so that the actual contribution they make towards fees can be regularly reassessed.

What happens if my income falls suddenly?

In cases of hardship - for example if income falls because a parent is out of work - the parents’ share of the fees may be worked out on current income, rather than the income of the previous year.   This can be arranged in the first year that a child holds a place, or in later years if circumstances change.

What happens if my income rises suddenly?

If parents’ income rises above the upper threshold of the Scheme, the Assisted Place would be withdrawn and parents’ need for assistance would be reassessed.

For anyone who would like more detailed information about the Scheme, they should contact the Bursar, email bursar@monmouthschool.org