Applications are now open for a fully-funded Fettes Kick-start Bursary.

Each year, this transformational bursary is awarded to two 11-year-old children giving them the opportunity to make the most of their potential and to live, learn and grow at Fettes despite not having the financial means to do so.

This year, we are excited to now widen this opportunity to include children based anywhere in Scotland who meet the eligibility criteria. This is made possible through the generous donation of a charitable trust. 

Fettes Kick-start was launched in 2018 and until now we have worked closely with the Headteachers and staff at five Edinburgh State Primary Schools. These Headteachers and their staff have identified and supported candidates to apply for these bursaries. We are very grateful to them for their commitment and dedication to Fettes Kick-start and we look forward to continuing to work with them.

To be eligible, applicants must be 11 years old on 1^st September 2024 and receive free school meals or be in a low-income household.

Mr Charlie Minogue, Headmaster of Fettes College Preparatory School said: “Fettes College was founded in 1870 through the philanthropy of Sir William Fettes and our philanthropic mission is to help bright young students, regardless of their circumstances, gain access to a Fettes education so they can have every opportunity to make the most of their talents. Our students aim high, and giving back to the community is a really important part of our ethos.

“We provide exceptional teaching at Fettes, inspiring a lifelong love of learning. The quality of the education we deliver goes beyond achieving impressive academic results, and is much more rounded, with an extensive range of sports, co-curricular activities, outdoor pursuits and trips – Fettes is a place that matters.”

Successful candidates will join Fettes’ Prep School for the first two years of their education, giving them the chance to settle in as a boarder and familiarise themselves with the school environment before moving up to the Senior School.

This fully-funded boarding place will continue until the student leaves Fettes College at the end of their Upper Sixth year (18 years old) when they will leave the school knowing themselves, looking out for others, capable of thinking critically and ready to make a positive mark on their rapidly changing world.

Applications for the Kick-start Bursary are now open, and will close on 15th January 2024.

We are mindful that only two children will be successful in gaining this Award. However, we aim throughout the process to make the experience an enjoyable and valuable one for each and every child and we hope that even if unsuccessful being part of this process will encourage each applicant to aim high and to embrace other opportunities in the future.

More information about the Bursary and how to apply is available at https://www.fettes.com/kick-start-bursary