Foundation Scholarships
Each year, Cumnor House Sussex offers up to two fully funded Foundation Scholarships (covering 100% of fees, plus essential extras) to children currently in Year 3 at a Sussex state primary school, or who are being home schooled. Parents or guardians of children who are excelling academically and performing towards the top of their class are encouraged to apply. These places are offered to children from families who could never afford to pay for an independent school education.
**The application process for September 2024 entry Foundation Scholarships is now open – the closing date is Monday 25th March 2024**
What is the Cumnor Foundation and what are the Foundation Scholarships?
The Cumnor Foundation is unique in aiming to cover the entire cost of a child’s education at independent school for ten years, from the age of 8 to 18.
Successful Foundation Scholars join Cumnor House Sussex at the age of 8 in Year 4 and remain with us until the age of 13 (Year 8) – supported throughout by a fully funded scholarship, which covers activities such as sport, music, art and DT, as well as the cost of school uniform and school trips.
As our Foundation Scholars approach Year 8, we support their move to an independent senior school, subject to the individual student meeting both the entry criteria of the school and the threshold for full financial assistance. They then join that school’s own fully funded fee assistance programme in Year 9 (aged 13+) and complete their education to the age of 18. The Foundation Scholarship at Cumnor includes activities such as sport, music, art and DT, as well as the cost of school uniform and school trips.
Which senior schools can Foundation Scholars move to?
A range of local Sussex and national independent senior schools have engaged with The Cumnor Foundation Scholarship Programme, including Benenden School, Eastbourne College, Hurstpierpoint College, The King’s School Canterbury, Mayfield School, Radley College, Roedean School, Sevenoaks School, Tonbridge School, Wellington College and Worth School.
How are the Foundation Scholarships awarded?
Cumnor’s Foundation Scholarships are awarded to talented children from families who could never afford to pay for a private school education, either through single or joint incomes, or the release of assets. Once awarded, family financial circumstances are reassessed annually in case of any significant changes.
Initially, parents or guardians are asked to complete a Foundation Application Form and a Confidential Statement of Financial Circumstances Form, alongside providing copies of their child’s last School Report (Summer Year 2), Key Stage 1 SATs results and birth certificate.
If the initial financial criteria are successfully met, a more detailed financial assessment will be undertaken, in strict confidence, by the School Bursar alongside our independent external assessors, Bursary Administration Ltd (BAL).
How are the children assessed?
Children from families that meet the detailed financial assessment requirements will be invited to join us at Cumnor for a morning of cognitive ability tests in verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Following this stage, a shortlist of candidates will be asked to return to Cumnor for an Experience Morning. Whilst their parents or guardians meet with the Headmaster for a tour of the School, the shortlisted candidates will be fully immersed into Cumnor life.
As well as participating in Maths, English, Drama and Sports lessons, they will work and play alongside their contemporaries, be interviewed in more detail by the Headmaster and, where appropriate, offered the opportunity to share any particular talents in the areas of sport, music, art or drama.
After the Experience Morning, a final shortlist of candidates is shared with the Cumnor Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Foundation Scholarships are offered depending on the particular degree of promise shown by a child and once an award is offered, the family will be provided with appropriate on-going support in the form of a Family Mentor, who is a volunteer from the current or former parent body.
Foundation Scholarships in 2024
There are currently seven fully funded Foundation Scholars from across Sussex thriving within our School community in different year groups, while five have left us to join their senior schools having reach the end of their Cumnor journey. It gives us great pleasure to hear about their progress as they continue their senior school education journey.
To understand the transformational impact of these awards, there is no better source than our Scholars themselves – and their parents:
“Being at Cumnor has allowed me to discover who I am as a person, and what I can be in the future. I’ve discovered my love for acting and have had a chance to branch out into a musical journey – learning to sing, and this is just one of many things that I wouldn’t have been able to do at my previous school.”
Current Foundation Scholar – Year 8
“The Cumnor Foundation Scholarship is life changing for all those it touches. Our daughter is not the only one to benefit from the Foundation Scholarship. This opportunity has enriched all our lives – including her brother, grandparents, aunts and uncles. The Cumnor Community benefits all of us.”
Parent of current Foundation Scholar
**The application process for September 2024 entry Foundation Scholarships is now open: applications must be received no later than Monday 25th March 2024.**
If you would like to find out more about the Foundation Scholarships programme, please contact Ms Sam Davies (Head of Foundation & Alumni) by emailing samdavies@cumnor.co.uk.