A bursary is a means-tested reduction in tuition fees. It exists so that a child who would thrive at Unicorn is not kept out by the cost of a place.
Bursaries are funded from the school’s own resources and the amount available is limited. Awards are made according to individual circumstances and financial need.
Below, we have tried to explain as clearly as possible what is available, who can apply and what the process involves.
Who can apply?
Children in any year group.
Bursaries are available from Nursery through to Year 6. They are not restricted to a particular entry point.
You can ask at any time of year.
There is no annual application window. If you are considering Unicorn and think you may need financial assistance, talk to us early.
Current Unicorn families can apply too.
Circumstances change. If your child is already at Unicorn and paying the fees has become difficult because your financial situation has changed, please speak to us. We would much rather know early and see whether we can help.
How much can a bursary cover?
Bursaries are awarded individually, according to each family’s circumstances, and can cover up to 50% of tuition fees.
By setting awards at up to half the fees, we are able to support more families with the bursary fund available to us.
Where we make an award, our intention is to continue that support for as long as the child remains at Unicorn and the financial need remains. Bursaries are reviewed and means-tested each year because family circumstances can change.
You can see our current tuition fees on the fees page.
Am I likely to be eligible?
Every family’s circumstances are different, and we will consider any application.
As a guide, however, a bursary is unlikely to be awarded where either of the following applies:
- annual gross family income is above £125,000
- net personal assets are above £400,000 per family, including equity in property
These are guidelines rather than automatic qualifying criteria. We look at the family’s overall financial circumstances, and meeting the thresholds does not guarantee an award.
In a two-parent family, or where custody is shared, we will ask about the circumstances and working status of both parents. We generally expect both parents to be working unless one is unable to work or there are other circumstances we should take into account.
The bursary fund is limited and awards depend both on financial need and on the funds available at the time.
If you are close to these figures, or your circumstances are unusual, please talk to us rather than deciding for yourself that you will not qualify.
How to apply
1. Talk to our Bursar
This is the best place to start. You do not need to work out for yourself whether you are likely to qualify.
Our Bursar can have an initial confidential conversation with you about your circumstances and explain whether it is worth making a full application.
bursar@unicornschool.org.uk
020 8948 3926
2. Complete the bursary application
If you decide to continue, the Bursar will send you the application form and explain what financial information is required.
For a child who is not already at Unicorn, the formal bursary application follows an offer of a place.
3. Independent financial assessment
Applications are assessed independently by Bursary Administration Ltd (BAL).
BAL will review the financial information you provide, arrange a meeting with you by Zoom and prepare a confidential report for the school.
4. The Governors decide
A small sub-committee of Unicorn’s Governors considers the independent assessment and makes the final decision.
We will then let you know the outcome and, where an award is made, the level of support we can offer.
Your application is confidential
We understand that the information families provide as part of a bursary application is personal.
Your application is seen only by those who need it to assess and administer the bursary: BAL, the Head, the Bursar or their delegates, and the relevant sub-committee of Governors.
It is not shared with your child’s teachers and has no bearing on their experience or treatment at school.
Also worth reading
Fees — our current tuition fees and what is included.
Visit us — book a private tour on a normal school day or come to our next Open Morning.
Admissions — when your child can join and how our admissions process works.
Not sure whether to ask?
Ask us.
You do not need to establish whether you qualify before getting in touch. A confidential conversation with our Bursar costs nothing, commits you to nothing and is usually much more useful than trying to work it out from a web page.
