Abingdon is able to offer some free and subsidised places to local day pupils who would otherwise not be able to afford full school fees. These free and subsidised places can be worth up to 100% of day fees.
Download our criteria on fee support
Priority for free and subsidised places is given to those who perform best overall in our entrance process; to those who it is felt will be likely to gain most from an Abingdon education; and to UK families who live locally. Currently, approximately 7% of the school roll receive financial help.
As Abingdon does not have a large endowment, our Governors are mindful, when providing free or subsidised places, that there remains an overall fair balance between those who benefit and full fee-paying parents, many of whom are also making significant personal sacrifices to fund their children’s education.
The questions and answers below are intended to address the most common queries about free and subsidised places. If you would like to know more please contact Mrs Clare Butcher by email: [email protected]. If you have queries about the admissions process please contact the Admissions Office by email: [email protected]
How does it work?
The fee level charged by the school is reduced to those successful in being awarded a free or subsidised place. The reduction is not available for boarding fees.
What is covered?
Fee support can cover up to 100% of day fees. Day fees cover the teaching costs of an education at Abingdon, lunch and the majority of books and materials. Additional charges are made for examinations, travel on the joint bus service, curriculum trips, certain clubs, revision guides, insurances, specialist support and lessons, and various other items. Pupils in receipt of 100% support will be considered for an exemption for some of these charges. Further details can be obtained from [email protected].
Where parents are offered a reduction in excess of 50%, they are entitled to a pro-rata reduction of the acceptance fee (payable on acceptance of a place) in line with the percentage of the award and subject to a minimum of £250. There may also be support available to assist with the cost of mandatory curriculum-related trips.
Boarding fees, the registration fee and the cost of additional charges (described above) are not eligible (with the exception of mandatory curriculum-related trips for those with a subsidy in excess of 50%).
In which year groups are free and subsidised places available?
They are available to all students at Abingdon School or of registered prospective families. Pupils in Years 7 and 8 at Abingdon Prep School who have accepted a place at Abingdon School are also eligible.
Who decides on the level of subsidy given?
A panel meets termly to review and discuss all applications for support. The members of the panel are the Head, the Director of Finance and Operations, the Financial Controller, the Director of External Relations and a Governor.
How is the level of subsidy decided?
Awards are made following a financial evaluation based on a combination of family income and the value of assets and liabilities. A range of other criteria is also reviewed. The School does not disclose specific financial thresholds or detailed criteria used in the financial evaluation. For families where the gross household income exceeds £100,000 and/or there is significant equity in a property, it is suggested that you arrange a brief telephone call with the financial controller (email [email protected]) to assess whether an application for support is recommended or not.
What is the process for applicants?
Parents who are seeking fee support for a pupil should first arrange an informal chat with the Financial Controller to discuss eligibility. Please speak to the Admissions team or email [email protected] to arrange. If the Financial Controller recommends applying for fee support, parents will need to complete an application form which will require details of income and expenditure, assets and liabilities. These forms will be subject to review by the Financial Controller. Parents of pupils already attending Abingdon should contact the Financial Controller for the form, whilst parents of children who have registered to join the School should contact the Admissions team or tick the appropriate box on their registration form.
If the application is progressed, applicants will then usually have a Zoom meeting to discuss their form in more detail and review supporting documents. The School uses an external company, Bursary Assessment Associates (BAA), to conduct these remote assessments and applicants will be contacted by BAA to arrange a suitable time. This isn’t a test but is designed to produce a fair assessment.
The next step is for the fee support panel to meet, usually once a term, and make a decision which will be communicated as soon as practical. For prospective parents this will usually be at the same time as feedback is given on the offer, or not, of a place at Abingdon.
Reasons for decisions and any BAA reports are not disclosed.
The Financial Controller, Mrs Clare Butcher, can be contacted by telephone, +44 (0)1235 849028, or email, [email protected].
Is there a deadline for applications?
The final deadlines for submission of completed applications in the academic year 2024/25 are as follows:
| First Year (Yr 7) September 2025: (entrance exams Saturday 11 January 2025) |
11 November 2024 – 9am |
| Sixth Form September 2025: (entrance exams 9 – 17 November 2024 and Saturday 1 February 2025) |
November test dates: 30 September 2024 – 9am February test date: 11 November 2024 – 9am |
| Third Year (Yr 9) September 2026: (entrance exams Saturday 19 October 2024) |
30 September 2024 – 9am |
| Annual review of existing free and subsidised places: | 31 October 2024 – 9am |
For applications for other year groups or questions regarding these deadlines please contact the Director of Admissions.
When can I apply/reapply after joining the School?
Parents should note that prior to a pupil’s admission, if an application for fee support is not made, or one is made but is unsuccessful, then a further application should not be made for that pupil within their first two years at Abingdon School. Applications during this period should only be made if there is a material change in family circumstances.
How often are awards re-assessed?
Awards are reviewed annually at the beginning of each academic year. The School sends a request to parents to update their financial information. Those already receiving fee assistance can expect requests for remote assessments via Zoom from Bursary Assessment Associates (BAA) from time to time.
The updated information is then reviewed by the fee support panel and awards can be either increased or decreased according to any change in circumstances.
Continuing fee support is also subject to a pupil making good academic progress, demonstrating satisfactory behaviour, and contributing positively to school life.
In any event, the School seeks to ensure that this support sees a pupil through all the critical educational hurdles such as the exam years.
Will my child's application to Abingdon be negatively affected by asking for fee support?
No and all applications are treated confidentially.
Are there restrictions on parents living overseas?
Only UK families are eligible (with priority given to those who live locally). Generally a UK family is defined (consistent with our acceptance fee policy) as:
- A UK national, resident in the UK; or
- A non-UK national, resident in the UK with UK owned property with material equity value (not rental); or
- A UK national working abroad on a defined short-term expat basis with significant UK assets
What must I do if my financial circumstances change?
If you already receive fee support and your financial circumstances change, you must advise the school as soon as possible.
What happens in the case of death, divorce or separation?
The School will deal with these difficult situations on a case by case basis and parents are invited to contact the school directly and as soon as possible.
Will the same level of fee assistance be applied to more than one child from the same family?
In deciding on the level of fee support that parents may require, and that the School can afford, it is expected that the same level of support will be offered to each child from that family, providing they meet the required entry standards, and having taken into account any revised financial circumstances.
Who will know I have been awarded a free or subsidised place?
All free and subsidised places are handled confidentially. Those responsible for assessing and administering fee assistance will be fully informed but the School does not tell your child or other members of staff.
