Means-tested bursaries
We offer means-tested bursaries for new pupils joining Year 7 and Year 12. Our bursaries are offered to pupils who rank highly in the senior school entrance exam (Year 7 bursaries) or have excellent GCSE grades (Year 12 bursaries) and whose families meet our financial criteria to ensure that a wide-range of pupils have the opportunity to attend the school.
Across the senior school, over 120 pupils receive either a full or partial bursary. Our ability to offer bursaries depends on the amount of funding we have available. Bursaries are awarded on a sliding scale of household income and the maximum household income to qualify is £67,000 pa. Most families who apply for a bursary receive free school meals, and the average bursary award is 75%. We are keen to receive applications from families who are seeking a partial bursary. We do not offer scholarships based solely on academic or sporting ability.
The table below gives an overview of the bursary bands:
Bursary bands for September 2023 entry | |
Gross household income | Potential bursary award |
0-£25k | 100% |
£25-31k | 95-85% |
£31-£41k | 85-60% |
£41-£51k | 60-35% |
£51-£70k | 35-10% |
Bursaries are offered following a rigorous means-testing process which includes a home visit and an assessment of your child’s academic performance but please be aware that while our bursary funds are growing steadily, there is extremely high competition for the awards with typically 10 applications for every Year 7 bursary and three per Year 12 bursary.
Year 7 bursary applicants for September 2023 entry need to apply by 30 September 2022. Bursary applicants will be required to sit our bursary shortlisting exam, which will take place during half-term in October 2022. Successful candidates from this exam will be invited to sit the entrance exam in January 2023. The application deadline for Year 12 bursaries is 30 November 2022 for September 2023 entry.
Applications for Year 7 and Year 12 bursaries for September 2022 have now closed. Applications for bursaries for September 2023 have not opened yet.
Documentation and guidance for bursary applications:
- The Grammar School at Leeds bursary application 2022 entry
- The Grammar School at Leeds bursary policy
Bursary FAQS
Meet some of our bursary parents
This film was made by the Indepedent Schools Council (ISC).
Further information
This is a recording of the virtual bursary information presentation evening.
Music Scholarships
We have a proud music tradition and music is an essential part of school life. We offer a small number of music scholarships to new pupils joining the school in Year 7 and, depending on the scholar’s musical ability, the scholarship is worth either a 20% reduction on school fees or covers the cost of instrumental lessons.
Music scholarship applications involve an audition and as competition is high we expect applicants to be approaching or at Grades 4 or 5, preferably on an orchestral instrument. However, this is not essential. Music scholarships are offered to applicants who have satisfied our entrance requirements, both in the academic examination and at interview.
In order to apply for a music scholarship, please indicate your interest on our online application form.