Widening Access Through Scholarships And Bursaries

Tonbridge Community > Public Benefit > Widening Access through Scholarships and Bursaries

Talented pupils are an inspiration to all. And a greater mix of cultures and backgrounds is healthy preparation for all Tonbridgians for life beyond school.

Tim Haynes, Headmaster

Tonbridge School is fortunate to be supported by a significant Foundation and we are keen that our fee structure is not a barrier to coming to the school.

Tonbridge foregoes about £1.6 million each year in fee remission for scholarships and bursaries. Whilst the 'standard' scholarship is now set at 10% fee-remission, up to 100% remission is available where a scholar has clear (means-tested) financial need. The school also has a separate scheme "The Foundation Awards", a programme of purely means-tested awards funded through philanthropy. As a consequence this academic year there are 15 boys at the school with full fee remission, a further 15 receiving over 80% fee remission and in total 220 boys at Tonbridge with some sort of fee remission.

Tonbridge is working to provide more needs-blind places for deserving boys. We're doing this because we believe it fits squarely with what the school is about. We know the need is there - last year we interviewed 20 would-be 'Foundationers', each with his own promise and ideas on what he could bring to Tonbridge. By 2026 we aim to have reached the position where 10% of the places at Tonbridge are needs-blind.

Liam Node

What has and continues to amaze me about Tonbridge is the wide range of opportunities that are available to any student. Teamwork and achievement are easy, as you know that your school is always supporting you. I would like to thank all the friends of the School who have given me the chance to be a Tonbridgian, through the Foundation Awards scheme.

Liam Node, who joined Tonbridge in February 2007 from a London comprehensive school.