Scholarships & Bursaries

The provision of bursaries is a vital part of our mission at Merchant Taylors’ to ensure that a first-class education is accessible to talented young people, regardless of their financial background.

As part of our commitment to widening access, we offer means-tested bursaries to academically able pupils applying to join Year 7 or Sixth Form. Awards can cover part or all, of the tuition fees, up to 100%, depending on a family’s financial circumstances. Some Sixth Form bursaries may have additional eligibility criteria.

All bursary applications are assessed through a thorough and confidential process, which includes a compulsory home visit, to ensure support is directed to those who need it most. If you would like to be considered for a bursary, please indicate this on your application form.

Through our bursary programme, we aim to unlock potential, nurture ambition, and reflect our core values of inclusion, opportunity, and excellence.

Scholarships at Merchant Taylors’ recognise exceptional talent and potential and are awarded to pupils who demonstrate outstanding ability in a particular area.

These awards are based on merit and are independent of financial means, with values of up to 10% of tuition fees. Academic scholarships are available at Year 7 entry and are awarded following our Entrance Assessment and Scholarship Day, where selected pupils are invited to take part in a series of engaging and challenging activities, including interviews and subject-based tasks. Up to four academic scholarships are awarded each year.

In addition, all Year 7 applicants will receive information about our Music, Drama, and Art Scholarships. These are highly competitive and require a separate application; shortlisted candidates are invited to attend an audition or assessment.

Further Scholarships are available on entry to Sixth Form in each of the areas with awards varying from 10% to 30% dependent on skill and ability. Our scholarship programme reflects our commitment to celebrating excellence and nurturing individual talent across a broad range of disciplines.

We are able to provide financial assistance with fees for pupils whose parents/guardians could not otherwise afford a place at the Senior Schools. The provision of means-tested bursaries is a central part of the purpose of the School’s aim to assist academically able boys and girls, whatever their financial circumstances and to broaden access to our Schools.

We do not receive any Government funding for our bursary programme; instead it is funded through the generosity of donors and though the Schools’ investments.  Our donors come from many walks of life and from all over the world, yet they all have a Merchant Taylors’ connection in common.

The number of bursary places available each year depends entirely on the generosity of our donors, and any amount given, large or small, contributes to creating opportunities for our pupils.

Bursaries are awarded up to 100% of fees, depending on the family’s financial circumstances. There are bursaries available for entry into our Senior Schools at Year 7 and into the Sixth Form at Year 12.

All bursaries are means-tested and are underpinned by a rigorous review process.  We utilise an external company to conduct independent financial reviews of successful applications.  This will involve each family having a compulsory home visit to review financial circumstances and will result in a confidential report to the Schools with a recommendation on the level of award.

A bursary application will only be successful if both of these criteria are met:

• The child has strong academic ability/potential, as demonstrated by their performance in the Year 7 Entrance Assessment/interview process for entry into our Senior Schools or for Sixth Form entry (Year 12) based on their GSCE grades and interview process.
• The Schools are satisfied that the family meets the Schools’ criteria for financial assistance.

Given the value of bursary awards, all awards are subject to annual review to ensure continued eligibility.  However, the Schools do have a number of awards which are offered for the duration of the child’s education whether that be at Year 7 or Year 12 entry.  This will be explicit within the offer made.

Register your son/daughter for a place at Merchant Taylors’ School.

The closing date for bursary applications for a Year 7 place is generally in late October.

Complete the confidential means-testing Bursary application form we send you. To be considered for assistance, gross income from all sources must be £60,000 or less per year

Following the Year 7 Entrance Assessment and interview process, or Sixth Form interview, you will be notified if your application for financial assistance has been successful. The next stage of the process is an independent financial review which will then result in a recommendation to the School on whether you meet the financial criteria for award and the level of Bursary which should be offered.

The final stage of the process involves the review of each recommendation/report by a sub-committee.

The Bursary Application Form asks for information about the following:

• Income (Salary, Pension, Benefits etc.)
• Outgoings (Tax, NI, Pension contributions, Mortgage repayments etc.)
• Capital Assets (Savings, ISAs etc.)
• Capital Liabilities (Mortgage etc.)
• Net Assets

You will also be asked to provide:

• 3 months’ payslips
• Mortgage statement
• Most recent P60
• Latest audited accounts (if appropriate)

We award some scholarships based on merit, irrespective of means. Scholarships signify excellent performance and outstanding potential.

These vary in value and type across the Schools. They are available at Year 7 at entry into the Senior Schools and at entry into Sixth Form.

Scholarships are awarded up to the equivalent of a 10% discount on tuition fees. They are awarded for the duration of the pupil’s time at school, subject to good conduct and good progress. There is no means testing of Scholarship awards.

We offer a sibling discount for children with a brother and/or sister already in the School. The discount applies to the tuition fee only and may be varied by the School at any time. The current sibling discount is 10% on a second and third child with the same Parents and a 20% discount on a fourth child and subsequent children with the same Parents. Sibling discount does not apply to overseas students.

If any pupil(s) within the family is in receipt of any other form of financial assistance (excluding Harrison Scholarships) then that pupil(s) will not be included within the scope of the Sibling Discount. For pupils in receipt of Academic or Sports Scholarships, who also qualify for a Sibling Discount; such discount will be awarded at the Head’s absolute discretion.

When a place is accepted, a deposit of £300 is payable.

The acceptance deposit will be held on account by the School and returned by way of a credit against fees for the final term of the relevant year, provided that fees have been cleared in full and any outstanding School property has been returned to the School. Until credited the acceptance deposit will form part of the general funds of the School.