At Burgess Hill Girls, we believe passionately in the value of an all-girls education and are committed to making it as accessible as possible to families from a wide range of financial backgrounds. Our means-tested bursaries are designed to support those who may not be able to afford the full fees, and we warmly welcome applications from families who share our aspirations for their daughters’ futures.
Means-tested
Each year, a dedicated bursary fund is set aside to provide financial assistance to girls whose families need support. Awards are assessed confidentially by an independent third party to ensure consistency, fairness, and transparency across all applications. The value of a bursary is tailored to each family’s circumstances, taking into account income and financial resources. ensuring fairness and transparency across all applications.
Bursaries are subject to annual review and their continuation is dependent on an updated financial assessment, as well as the pupil maintaining the school’s expected standards of behaviour and commitment.
How much can be awarded?
While most bursaries awarded fall in the 10% to 30% range, families with a gross income below £30,000 per year and limited capital assets may be eligible for more substantial support. The maximum bursary award is 50% of the published fees, a limit set to enable the school to support as many deserving students as possible.
All bursaries are reviewed annually and continue to be awarded based on ongoing financial need and the pupil maintaining the school’s expected standards of behaviour and commitment.
Please note that bursaries are only applicable to day places.
How to apply
The bursary assessment process begins in September for students starting the following September and application forms will be issued on request. We encourage early applications, as funds are limited and demand is high. External applicants should apply by the published deadline, as late applications may not be successful if all available funding has been allocated.
Families of current pupils whose financial circumstances change are welcome to apply at any time throughout the academic year. To find out more or to request an application form, please contact the Director of Finance and Operations at dfo@burgesshillgirls.com or call 01444 241050.
Should you have any questions or wish to request an application form, please contact the Director of Finance and Operations at dfo@burgesshillgirls.com or call 01444 241050.
For Sixth Form entry in September 2026, the deadline to request a bursary application form is Friday 7th November 2025, and completed applications must be submitted by Friday 21st November 2025. For all other year groups, the deadline to request a bursary application form is Friday 28th November 2025, with completed applications due by Monday 15th December 2025.
The Application Process
Step One
Applicants seeking a bursary are required to complete a bursary application form, and a confidential statement of financial circumstances, which seeks to establish the financial resources of the household. The completed forms, together with the necessary documentary evidence to support the application, are to be submitted directly to Bursary Administration Limited (BAL). BAL is the School’s appointed independent assessor. To request an application form, please e-mail feesupport@burgesshillgirls.com.
Any applications received after mid December may, in exceptional circumstances, be considered, although it is likely that such applications will only be considered after those that have been submitted ahead of the deadline.
You may withdraw at any time from the process of applying for financial assistance by contacting Finance Department.
Step Two
BAL assess all applications in order to establish the likely level of support which will be required in to allow the child to attend the School. You will be contacted to arrange means-testing, which involves answering detailed questions and providing evidence of your family’s financial circumstances. This assessment will involve an online meeting to ensure the information has been correctly interpreted and the basis of the financial assessment has been fair. If the assessor has reason to believe that you have provided inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information, your child will be withdrawn from the application process.
Step Three
The Finance team prepares a recommendation for any Bursary Award, which is considered by the Executive Senior Leadership Team.
Step Four
Bursaries will generally be offered by mid February. This timescale allows parents/guardians to make an informed decision before agreeing to accept a place at the School.
The decision of the School is final and not subject to appeal.
Existing Pupils
Families of existing pupils may apply for financial assistance if they experience a significant change in circumstances beyond their control that causes difficulty in paying tuition fees, most likely through unexpected loss of income or additional costs.
The first step is to contact the Director of Finance and Operations as soon as possible to discuss the change in circumstances and what financial assistance might be needed and for how long. Parents/guardians will then be provided with an application form. Any financial assistance awarded will be for a defined period of time with an agreed date for review.
We try to make the process of application as simple and clear as possible, but we appreciate that it can be daunting. If you would like a confidential discussion on the bursary process ahead of applying, then please contact the Director of Finance and Operations at: dfo@burgesshillgirls.com
Suitability
The Financial Assistance panel will consider a number of factors when making the judgement as to the justification for support, and the extent of such support. In the main, the child’s suitability for the School is the first consideration in granting support.
In assessing a child’s suitability, attention will be given to the academic assessment result of each applicant, but potential will also be considered as well as actual achievement. Bursary funds are limited and those judged most suitable will be given priority as those likely to gain most from the educational provision. Each pupil to whom support is offered must, in the opinion of the Head of School and/or the Executive Senior Leadership Team, be likely to make sound academic progress following admission and possess the potential to develop the quality of their work, and benefit from participation in the wider, extra-curricular activities on offer at the School. Each applicant must meet the School’s normal academic requirements. Reports from previous School(s) and any reports from the School will be consulted for evidence of good behaviour.
Financial Limitations
Subject to our suitability criteria above, the amount of the bursary award 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 its overall budget. It is recognised that judgements about what sacrifices a family should make to pay School fees will be personal. However, the School has a duty to ensure that all bursary grants are well focused and so, as well as current earnings, other factors which will be considered in determining the necessary level of grant will include:
- The ability to improve the financial position or earning power of the family. For example, where there are two partners, both would be expected to be employed unless one is prevented from doing so through incapacity, the need to care for children under Schools age or dependents, or the requirements of their partner’s work.
- Opportunities to release any capital. Significant capital savings and investments would be expected to be used for the payment of School fees, as would equity values in property or land.
- In cases of separation, the contribution made by the absent parent.
- Contribution to household costs by other, wider family members, any adults unrelated to the child or outside sources.
- Where fees are being paid to the School or other Schools (or universities) for siblings, the bursary will not subsidise such outgoings.
Acknowledging that others might have a different view, the School considers that the following would not be consistent with the receipt of a bursary:
- Frequent or Expensive holidays
- New or Luxury cars
- Significant equity held in either the main residence, additional property, or a combination of both
- High value pensions or investments that are available for draw down
- Investment in significant home improvements
- A second property/land holdings
- Families should be able to demonstrate that they are living within their means, with living arrangements and household expenditure that are affordable within the family’s combined income.
Other Factors
It is recognised that, in addition to academic ability and financial constraints, there may be other circumstances which should be considered. These include:
- Where the social needs of the child are relevant (e.g.: may be suffering from bullying at their present School).
- Where a parent/guardian is terminally ill or is unable to secure permanent employment due to poor health.
- Where a separation has resulted in the child having to be withdrawn from the School adding to the stress of coping with the parents/guardians separating.
Consideration is also given to the level of total family bursarial support with an objective to support as many families as possible. It may therefore not be possible to provide bursarial support to future siblings that join at a later stage at the same level, or at all, as existing siblings.
Significant Support
Please note: Significant level of support is usually defined as over 50% of the day fees. Significant bursaries are generally only awarded to current pupils whose families have experienced a significant change in circumstance.
Boarding Fees and Extras
Bursary awards apply to Day Tuition Fees only. Boarding Fees and Extras must be paid in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Burgess Hill School.
Annual Review
Subject to budget restraints, the School will prioritise existing bursary recipients over new applicants, in order to continue to support pupils throughout their time at the School. Awards are subject to repeat testing of parental means each year and may be varied upwards or downwards depending on parental circumstances. Scholars and bursary holders are expected to remain worthy of their position which is also subject to periodic review. If parents/guardians’ circumstances improve, there is an obligation to make the School aware.
Current bursary holders will be issued with a letter during the Lent term each year and are asked to complete an annual declaration, detailing any significant changes in their financial circumstances.
Confidentiality
The School respects the confidentiality of all bursary awards. Children receiving bursaries are not identified within the School and are treated no differently from any other pupil. We are committed to ensuring there is no stigma attached to receiving financial support, and we ask that families also keep the details of any award strictly confidential. This mutual understanding helps maintain the dignity and privacy of all pupils and their families.
Data Protection
The School complies with all applicable data protection legislation. Please see the School’s privacy notice on our website.
