Freemen's offers a number of bursaries each year to assist parents who might not otherwise be able to consider the school for their children.  Bursary awards are subject to means-testing and take into consideration your child's performance in our entrance examinations. 

We cannot accept a bursary application until you have registered for a place at the school. The deadline to apply is usually 8 October in the year before you wish your child to join the School.

Hardship bursaries are also available for families currently at the School who have experienced a sudden and significant change of financial circumstances. Applications for hardship bursaries will only be considered in cases where parents’ financial circumstances have deteriorated significantly since they enrolled their child at the School and this deterioration could not have been anticipated at the time they were enrolled. 

We use an independent company Bursary Administration Ltd (BAL) to assess your application. They will arrange to visit you in your home at a time convenient for you, before considering your financial situation and reviewing your documentary evidence to ensure the information provided has been correctly interpreted. They will submit a confidential financial report to us based on the information provided and the home visit. The School will review the applications and you will be advised whether your child is to be offered a place at the School and whether you have been successful in your application for a Bursary. 

It is recognised that judgements about what sacrifices a family should make to pay school fees will be personal, however the following factors will also be taken into consideration when reviewing bursary applications:

• The ability to improve the financial position or earning power of the family - 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 school age or other dependents.
• Opportunities to release capital - significant capital savings and investments would be expected to be used for the payment of school fees as well as equity value in property.
• In cases of separation, the contribution made by the absent parent.
• Contribution to household costs by other family members.
• Where fees are being paid to other schools or universities.
• It is considered that the following would not be consistent with the receipt of a bursary: 
  • Frequent or expensive holidays
  • New or luxury cars
  • Investment in significant home improvements
  • A second property/land holdings

We understand that some families may have unusual financial circumstances which mean that although their annual income is low, and on paper they are eligible for assistance, they are still able to enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle, with expensive holidays, extensive home improvements, extravagant birthday gifts (cars etc). Furthermore they may have buy to let properties, live in large properties (which may be family owned), have employment through a family business or have sophisticated financial planning. The underlying ethos of the Bursary scheme is to support the brightest children to come to this school who could not otherwise afford to come, so should it become obvious that a pupil's lifestyle is inconsistent with the level of the Bursary award provided, the school reserves the right to investigate further and to use other alternative methods to assess affordability of fees.

Please be aware that, dependent upon funds available, it may not be possible for us to offer you financial support, even if your child is successful in securing the offer of a place.  In that eventuality you will still have the option of accepting a full-fee place if you consider you will be able to meet the fees through other means.  

11+ Academic Scholarships are available to pupils seeking entry to Year 7 and to current Freemen's pupils in Lower 3 (Year 6) on transition to Upper 3 (Year 7).

Following the 11+ entrance examinations and interviews (external candidates) or by invitation (internal candidates), a small selection of candidates will be invited to take the Freemen's Scholarship examinations. 

Please note that we do not provide sample papers for these examinations.

Date of Scholarship Exams: Scholarship exams will take place in November prior to the year of entry, for example November 2022 for entry in September 2023.

Examination Fee: £50 (external and internal candidates).

If a student is already in receipt of a Music Scholarship from Freemen's, they can sit the Academic Scholarship assessments, however any award made would not confer any further remission of fees.

13+ Academic Scholarships are available to pupils seeking entry to Year 9 and to current Freemen’s pupils in Lower 4 (Year 8) on transition to Upper 4 (Year 9).

Following the 13+ entrance examinations and interviews (external candidates) or by invitation (internal candidates), a small selection of candidates will be invited to take the Freemen's Scholarship examinations.

Please note that we do not provide sample papers for these examinations.

Date of Scholarship Exams: Scholarship exams will take place in November prior to the year of entry, for example November 2022 for entry in September 2023.

Examination Fee: £50 (external and internal candidates).

If a student is already in receipt of a Music Scholarship from Freemen's, they can sit the Academic Scholarship assessments, however any award made would not  confer any further remission of fees.

16+ Academic Scholarships are available to pupils seeking entry to the Sixth Form and to current Freemen’s pupils in Upper 5 (Year 11) on transition to the Sixth Form.

Candidates must meet our Sixth Form entry requirements and will, in addition, sit examination papers in Critical Thinking and General Knowledge and an extended writing task. Subject to satisfactory performance in the Scholarship examinations, selected candidates will be invited to attend an interview with the Headmaster.

Fee: £50 for internal or external candidates.

Date of Scholarship Exams: Scholarship exams will take place in November prior to the year of entry, for example November ​2022 for entry in September ​2023.

If a student is already in receipt of a Music Scholarship from Freemen's, they can sit the Academic Scholarship assessments, however any award made would not confer any further remission of fees.

Pupils in receipt of an Academic Scholarship will be offered a specific programme that recognises their ability and will challenge them to broaden their educational horizons and develop their critical thinking skills. The programme will include talks and discussions on complex and challenging issues, educational visits designed to broaden the pupil's cultural experience, and access to a range of Senior School clubs and societies.

11+ Music Scholarships and Exhibitions are available to pupils seeking entry to Year 7 and to current Freemen's pupils in Lower 3 (Year 6) on transition to Upper 3 (Year 7). Applicants who wish to audition for a scholarship should be playing at Grade 3 standard. On the whole it is desirable for a candidate to offer a second instrument or voice but not necessary.

Candidates must meet the academic requirements for entry to the School. In addition, candidates will be invited to an audition and interview with the Director of Music. The audition will involve the following:

• Two contrasting pieces on their first instrumental study.
• If applicable, one piece on their second instrumental study (which can include singing).
• A quick study – This will involve the candidate playing through a short unseen piece. The candidate will have 10 minutes to look through the piece before the audition.
• A few aural tests.
• A short, informal conversation about their musical experiences and interests.

Application Deadline: 8 October in the year prior to entry.

Date of Music Scholarship auditions: Auditions will take place in November prior to the year of entry, for example November 2022 for entry in September 2023.

Audition Fee: £50 (external and internal candidates).

If a student is already in receipt of an Academic Scholarship from Freemen's, they can audition for a Music Scholarship, however any award made would not confer any further remission of fees. Successful candidates will, however, be entitled to free tuition in one instrumental study.

13+ Music Scholarships and Exhibitions are available to pupils seeking entry to Year 9 and to current Freemen's pupils in Lower 4 (Year 8) on transition to Upper 4 (Year 9). Applicants who wish to audition for a scholarship should be playing at grade 5 standard. On the whole it is desirable for a candidate to offer a second instrument or voice but not necessary.

Candidates must meet the academic requirements for entry to the School. In addition, candidates will be invited to an audition and interview with the Director of Music. The audition will involve the following:

• Two contrasting pieces on their first instrumental study.
• If applicable, one piece on their second instrumental study (which can include singing).
• A quick study – This will involve the candidate playing through a short unseen piece. The candidate will have 10 minutes to look through the piece before the audition.
• A few aural tests.
• A short, informal conversation about their musical experiences and interests.

Application Deadline: 8 October in the year prior to entry

Date of Music Scholarship auditions: Auditions will take place in November prior to the year of entry, for example November ​2022 for entry in September 2023

Audition Fee: £50 (external and internal candidates)

If a student is already in receipt of an Academic Scholarship from Freemen's, they can audition for a Music Scholarship, however any award made would not confer any further remission of fees. Successful candidates will, however, be entitled to free tuition in one instrumental study.

16+ Music Scholarships and Exhibitions are available to pupils seeking entry to Year 12 and to current Freemen's pupils in Upper 5 (Year 11) on transition to Sixth Form. Applicants who wish to audition for a scholarship should be playing at grade 7 standard. On the whole it is desirable for a candidate to offer a second instrument or voice but not necessary.

Candidates must meet the academic requirements for entry to the School. In addition, candidates will be invited to an audition and interview with the Director of Music. The audition will involve the following:

• Two contrasting pieces on their first instrumental study. A third piece will be required for candidates only offering one instrument.
• If applicable, one piece on their second instrumental study (which can include singing).
• A quick study – This will involve the candidate playing through a short unseen piece. The candidate will have 10 minutes to look through the piece before the audition.
• A few aural tests.
• A short, informal conversation about their musical experiences and interests.

Application Deadline: 8 October in the year prior to entry.

Date of Music Scholarship auditions: Usually the exams ​Auditions will take place in November prior to the year of entry, for example November 2022 for entry in September 2023.

Audition Fee: £50 (external and internal candidates).

If a student is already in receipt of an Academic Scholarship from Freemen's, they can audition for a Music Scholarship, however any award made would not confer any further remission of fees. Successful candidates will, however, be entitled to free tuition in one instrumental study.

We are delighted to have secured a generous bequest from local lady Mrs. Bhargava, whose long and successful career was a result of her own enjoyment of Mathematics.

"Without the bursary I would not have this amazing opportunity which I know will lay the foundations for my future career"

Eligibility: As a 'Women in STEM' initiative, only female pupils applying for entry into the Sixth Form to study Mathematics with a view to studying Mathematics or related disciplines at university are eligible. The student must live within fifteen miles of the school (KT21 1ET) in keeping with Mrs. Bhargava’s own links with Ashtead and Leatherhead, currently attending a maintained sector school or academy. Preference will be given to students whose families could not otherwise afford full school fees.

Awards: The Bhargava Award can cover the school day fee and extras, subject to financial means testing, in order that a deserving candidate from a financially limited background would not need to worry about covering fees, transport, uniform and trips costs.

Assessment: Applicants will need not only to meet the criteria for the award, but also to achieve the entrance requirements for Freemen’s Sixth Form. We will ask students to complete a questionnaire detailing why they wish to study Mathematics and/or other STEM subjects at A Level and beyond; students should also expect to be interviewed by relevant members of teaching staff; plus all applicants' families will need to be means-tested.

The Scholars' Journal highlights some of the aspects of the Scholarship programme and showcases some pieces of work completed by the Scholars. 

Perspectives
Scholars' Journal 2020