Reigate Grammar school - Raven bursary scheme
Questions and answers
1. Why is Reigate Grammar School offering this bursary programme?
Reigate Grammar School (RGS) has a long history of supporting the local
community and works to ensure that school fees do not prevent local children
from families on lower incomes to benefit from the opportunities available at the
school. As Raven is the major provider of lower-cost homes in the area, it makes
sense for RGS to join with Raven in reaching out to families who would not
normally consider RGS an option for their child’s secondary school education.
RGS offers a range of other bursaries and financial support to families on lower
income. More information is available on the RGS website:
www.reigategrammar.org.
2. Will my son/daughter have to sit an entrance exam?
For pupils joining at 11+ or 13+ (into Years 7 and 9), RGS would normally ask
your child to take an entrance exam to ensure they would be comfortable and
happy with the pace of learning at RGS. The exam is just one factor considered
before offering a child a place. RGS will also take references from your child’s
current school and an individual meeting with the children gives us the chance to
get to know them and their interests. For pupils joining the Sixth Form, RGS will
look at GCSE grades in addition to school references.
3. Are you looking for specific skills/background for pupils?
Students join RGS from a wide range of backgrounds and have an equally wide
range of interests. Half of all students will join RGS from local state primary
schools. There isn’t a typical RGS student and the schools looks for children
who would benefit from the wide range of opportunities at the school. Beyond the
classroom, activities at RGS include music, art and sport, the Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, the Combined Cadet Force in addition to the many
computing and science based clubs.
4. How old are children when they are normally admitted to RGS?
Children normally join at 11 (Year 7), 13 (Year 9) or into the Sixth Form (Year
12). Students are accepted into other year groups if there is space available.
5. How do I know if RGS is the right school for my son or daughter?
There are a number of things you can do to find out. The admissions team at
RGS is always available to answer questions about bursaries and joining the
school either on the phone (tel:01737 222231) or via email:
[email protected]. Raven and RGS are jointly visiting local primary
schools during the summer. Talk to your child’s current school and find out when
we are visiting. You are very welcome to visit RGS either to one of the monthly
open mornings that take place throughout the year or, if you prefer, make contact
and arrange an individual visit.
6. This will be a big change for my son/daughter from his/her current school,
what help will there be to help my child settle in?
RGS has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere and every care is taken to
support children as they join the school, and throughout their time at RGS. If you
child is joining at age 11, a member of staff will visit your child at his/her primary
school in the term beforehand and his/her individual needs will be planned for.
RGS considers every child’s needs and will develop a plan to look at the unique
requirements of each pupil.
7. I have heard RGS is only for really clever children. Is that correct?
RGS offers places to those children who will be comfortable and happy with the
pace of learning at RGS. The school takes every care to gain a full picture of
each child and do not just rely on entrance exam results. The school is looking
for potential as well as current levels of attainment. However, to give some
guidelines, RGS look for boys and girls to be attaining Level 5s in their end of
Year 6 SAT tests.
8. I am a Raven leaseholder not a tenant, would I be eligible?
The Raven RGS bursaries are for the children of Raven tenants and customers
in shared ownership homes. Other Raven customers, for instance leaseholders,
could be eligible for other RGS bursaries. RGS offers a range of bursaries and
assistance with fees which you may be eligible for. Do contact the RGS
admissions team and it can advise you on what assistance may be available to
you.
9. How is this bursary scheme different from others operated by RGS?
The Raven bursary scheme operates in a similar way to other RGS bursaries but
is just for children of Raven tenants.
10. Will I need to provide information about my income and outgoings?
Yes but all information will be treated in complete confidence. RGS will need to
know some information about your income and your outgoings. Help given is
determined on a sliding scale up to a 100 per cent reduction in fees. As a rough
guide, families with a total gross income (in the year 2012/13) of over £57,500
are unlikely to qualify, while those earning less than £17,000 may receive a
reduction of up to 100 per cent.
11. What happens if I move from a Raven home while my child is at school?
Will I still be eligible?
When children are admitted to RGS and offered a bursary, it is an important
commitment between the school, pupil and his/her family. Unless there was a
significant change in income, the bursary support would continue.
12. I have more than one child. Will my other child be eligible?
The eligibility for entrance to RGS is taken on an individual basis. However, if
one family member is at the school already is doesn’t preclude another family
member being offered a bursary.
13. Will the bursary be for 100% of the fees?
Bursaries are linked to your family income. Some families may also be eligible for
additional support for uniform and other expenses. Help given is determined on a
sliding scale up to a 100 per cent reduction in fees. As a rough guide, families
with a total gross income (in the year 2012/13) of over £57,500 are unlikely to
qualify, while those earning less than £17,000 may receive a reduction of up to
100 per cent.
14. Is there any other help, for instance for uniform, school trips and school
meals?
For families on very low incomes there may be additional financial support for
uniform, trips and school fees. Additional support would be assessed on an
individual basis.
15. I am on income support. Would I be eligible?
RGS will look at every case for a bursary on an individual basis. Receiving
income support, or any other benefit, will be taken into account. Being eligible to
receive welfare benefits will not affect your eligibility to apply for a bursary.
16. What is expected of my son and daughter if they receive a bursary?
All pupils at RGS are expected to contribute to the school and wider community,
abide by the school’s normal code of conduct and make the expected progress.
17. I am from a different background from many of the other families at RGS.
Will my child stand out?
RGS pupils come from a wide range of backgrounds. RGS already provides
bursaries and other financial support to around 40 per cent of pupils. RGS offers
a range of support to help pupils settle in and make the most of the opportunities.
The pupils receiving bursaries are often among those who make the most of
opportunities available at RGS.
Any financial information you disclose to RGS will remain confidential, as will
information about any bursary you are offered.
18. How does Raven benefit from the bursaries?
Raven receives no direct benefit from the bursaries; however, it complements the
community investment programme Raven runs promoting education, social,
training and employment opportunities for Raven tenants and their families.
Raven wants tenants to know about the bursaries so they can make informed
decisions about the choices and opportunities for their child’s education.
19. Where do I go to for more information?
To discuss what support may be available to you please contact Mrs Diane
Kennedy at RGS on 01737 222231. If you want to talk to someone at Raven,
speak to Angela Ellis in the community investment team or Jenny Rawlinson in
the communication team on 0300123 3399.
June 2014