Scholarships and Bursaries

General Policy
Bursaries and Scholarships at Harrogate Ladies’ College are paid from annual income. Consequently, the amount of money available for awards varies each year. The different awards available are outlined below. In keeping with the aims of the Charities Act 2006, the Governors have decided to offer proportionately more means-tested bursaries than scholarships with effect from September 2008. Awards generally are not given to pupils attending Highfield Prep School, other than sibling discounts. In exceptional cases, consideration will be given to providing short-term / one-off bursaries to existing pupils whose families fall on hard times.

Academic Scholarships are available to new girls joining the College in Upper 3 following the assessment tests taken in the Spring Term of the preceding year. Awards of up to 25% will be considered each year, subject to cohorts being of a sufficiently high standard. Awards are reviewed in Upper 4, prior to GCSE courses, on the basis of a girl’s overall performance, before being extended to the end of Upper 5. Occasionally, in cases of particular merit, scholarships may be awarded to new or existing girls on the basis of GCSE results prior to their entry into Sixth Form (Lower 6).

Bursaries may be available to the daughters of Church of England clergy, in keeping with the College’s Christian foundation, or girls who would benefit from an education at Harrogate Ladies’ College and would make a positive contribution to life in the College, but whose parents/guardians are unable to afford independent school fees. Bursaries may also be awarded by the Governors in cases of financial hardship arising for existing pupils. All Bursaries are subject to a financial means test, which is conducted annually for as long as the Bursary is in place.

Fee reduction is offered to:
a) girls with younger siblings in Harrogate Ladies’ College or Highfield Prep School (5%)
b) daughters of mothers who are members of Harrogate College Union, often known as “Old Girls” (10%),
c) daughters whose mother or father is serving as a regular member of the Armed Forces (15%).

These reductions are not paid concurrently (e.g. a girl receiving an Armed Forces discount will not also be eligible to receive a sibling discount).

Fees paid in advance for periods of one whole academic year or more also attract discounts. Rates are linked to the Bank of England base rate and vary according to when lump sum payments are made. Individual quotations can be obtained through the Bursar on request.