It was the stated aim of Sir James Cobban, Headmaster 1947-1970, that no boy living within 20 miles of Abingdon who deserved to come to the School should be denied the opportunity to do so. Cobban fought hard to retain the direct grant system, of which Abingdon was part, until its end in 1976. He then worked tirelessly to set up the Assisted Places Scheme which was launched in its place in 1981 and from which many of Abingdon’s former pupils have benefited.
The School still has the same aim today. Scholarships and bursaries can provide essential support for able boys who would not otherwise have access to an education at Abingdon School. They also help to ensure that the School encourages pupils from a wide range of backgrounds which, in itself, enhances the educational experience of each boy in the School.
Abingdon School currently supports over 100 boys on academic scholarships and bursaries. Scholarships are awarded for academic excellence, for talents and achievements in music, art and design, sport and drama. Bursaries are particularly intended to help families of boys already in the School who encounter unexpected financial difficulties. Currently a small number are awarded on entry. In order to ensure that the School’s limited scholarship and bursary funds are awarded to those who deserve and need them, all awards are means-tested.
There is already one beneficiary of a bursary in Sir James’s name which was awarded from funds raised by a group of Old Abingdonians who were pupils during his time as Headmaster. The School’s aim is to provide three bursaries per year so your donations can, and will, enable additional talented boys to benefit in the same way.