Bursaries at Knightsbridge School
Great schooling is for all, no matter your background or financial situation. That is why, at Knightsbridge School, we offer private school bursaries of up to 100% of tuition fees to talented children whose family circumstances would not otherwise allow them to join us. Bursaries for private schools like ours are assessed and provided through the Knightsbridge School Education Foundation (KSEF), a registered charity that works closely with, but independently of, the school. KSEF and Knightsbridge School have been able to fund +30 places jointly through the generosity of parents, primarily for children joining us in Year 7.
Bursaries at a Glance
| Private School Bursary Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical entry point | Year 7 |
| Award size | Up to 100% of tuition fees, jointly funded by KSEF and Knightsbridge School |
| Cost per term covered | £11,145 – Year 7 and Year 8
£11,650 – Year 9, 10 and 11 |
| Extras covered | Uniforms, lunches, trips, music lessons, art programmes, extra-curricular activities |
| Ongoing support | Support continues throughout a pupil’s journey with us, from Year 7 all the way to Year 11 and then onward to the sixth-form college of choice |
| Places available | A small number of places each year, awarded to the pupils best placed to benefit |
| Contact | Our registrar, for questions about financial support in your application |
A bursary is a means-tested award that reduces, or in some cases removes entirely, the cost of school fees, based on a family’s financial circumstances rather than a child’s particular talent or achievement. That distinction matters: a bursary exists to open the door to an education a family could not otherwise afford, while a scholarship recognises a pupil’s ability once they’ve already joined us.
Private school bursary programmes like ours are typically funded through charitable giving rather than school fee income directly, which is why KSEF, as an independent registered charity, sits at the centre of ours. Assessment usually involves a confidential review of a family’s income and circumstances, so that support can be directed to those who need it most.
What KSEF Does
The Knightsbridge School Education Foundation exists to remove financial barriers for talented and gifted children. Its work is guided by three aims: developing the school’s resources and facilities for the benefit of the wider community, providing bursaries to pupils whose family circumstances would not otherwise enable them to attend, and supporting the development of further sporting, artistic and creative facilities for community use.
Beyond bursaries, KSEF works closely with schools within walking distance of Knightsbridge, including Marlborough Primary School and Ashburnham Community Primary School in Chelsea, where local community funding has supported books, laptops, therapists and residential trips.
Bursary support does not stop at Year 7. Pupils are supported through their entire journey at Knightsbridge, through GCSEs and, for those who move on to boarding or day senior schools, often with scholarships of their own
Where Pupils Have Gone On To
Our bursary pupils have performed just as well, if not exceeded, the performance of their peers, which reinforces our belief in its continued existence. Our bursary students have been able to move on to or achieve scholarships at leading UK schools, including:
- Bedford School
- Benenden School
- Charterhouse School
- Christ’s Hospital School
- City of London Freemen’s School
- King Edward’s School, Witley
- King’s College School, Wimbledon
- Latymer Upper School
- Leighton Park School
- Prior’s Field School
- Shrewsbury School
- St. Catherine’s, Twickenham
- St. Paul’s School
- Uppingham School
- Wellington School
- Woldingham School
What KSEF Looks For
Financial need sits at the heart of every bursary decision, but it isn’t the only factor. Foundations like KSEF also consider whether a child is likely to settle well and make the most of everything Knightsbridge offers, academically, socially and personally, since a bursary is as much an investment in a child’s future as it is a response to a family’s present circumstances.
If your family’s circumstances mean the fees at Knightsbridge would otherwise be out of reach, we would encourage you to get in touch. Every family’s situation is different, and a conversation with our registrar is the best way to understand whether a bursary could be right for you.
Getting Started
Every bursary programme for private schools works a little differently, but the process generally follows a similar shape: an initial conversation to understand your circumstances, a confidential financial assessment, and, often, the chance for your child to visit the school before a final decision is made.
The best first step is a conversation with our registrar of admissions, who can talk you through what’s involved for your family and answer any questions about the process before you commit to a full application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Bursaries
What age can my child apply for a private school bursary at Knightsbridge School?
Bursaries are primarily awarded for entry into Year 7. If you are considering applying for a different year group, please contact our registrar to discuss your family’s circumstances.
How much financial support can a bursary for a private school provide?
Bursaries at Knightsbridge School can be worth up to 100% of tuition fees, funded jointly by the Knightsbridge School Education Foundation (KSEF) and the school itself, with support from parents.
Who runs the Knightsbridge School private school bursary programme?
Bursaries are assessed and provided through the Knightsbridge School Education Foundation (KSEF), a registered charity that works closely with, but independently of, the school.
How many bursary places are available each year?
A small number of places are awarded each year, reserved for the pupils best placed to benefit from a Knightsbridge education. Because places are limited, we would encourage interested families to get in touch as early as possible.
Does bursary support continue throughout my child's time at the school?
Yes. Support continues throughout a pupil’s educational journey, from Year 7 all the way to Year 13.
How do I apply for a bursary?
The process begins with a conversation with our registrar, who will talk you through what’s involved, including a confidential financial assessment, before any formal application takes place.
What's the difference between a bursary and a scholarship at Knightsbridge?
A bursary is awarded based on financial need to help a family who could not otherwise afford our fees. A scholarship, by contrast, is awarded to a pupil already at the school in recognition of excellence in academics, performing arts or sport, and carries no fee reduction.
Who can I contact about a bursary application?
Our registrar is the best first point of contact for any questions about financial support in your application.
