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Assisted Places

"The most amazing school"

Our Assisted Places scheme

Each year the Governing Council offers a number of means-tested places for children to enter the school.

As a result, in recent times, places have been allocated for entry into Year 8 (S1), Year 10 (S3) and the Lower Sixth Form (S5).

The application process for Assisted Places entry in 2011 will commence in September 2010.

The aim of the scheme is to make an independent education available to those who had previously ruled it out on financial constraints. Up to 100 per cent assistance with fees can be given, based on need.

The places are available for children of good academic standing, who have not previously been in independent education. Fees are based on an assessment of parental income. Candidates sit examinations in English, Maths and Logic and have an interview with the Headmaster.

For more details please contact The Registrar Dr Caroline Routledge, St Leonards School, St Andrews, KY16 9QJ. Call 01334 472126 or email Registrar@stleonards-fife.org

The parents' view

“It has brought his personality out, he is blossoming and loving life and you can sense his happiness,” say the parents of a boy who was granted one of the first Assisted Places at St Leonards.

Their son started at the St Andrews school in September and they say he has gone from strength-to-strength both academically and socially ever since.

The school launched the Assisted Places scheme to offer an independent education for academically-able children whose parents had previously ruled it out due to financial constraints.

It was introduced by former headmaster Robert Tims who himself benefited from a means-tested bursary which enabled him to be educated at Eton.

The boy’s mother has spoken about how thrilled she was to be able to seize this opportunity.

She said: “Our son was very quiet and studious and we knew he had the potential to do well but we were concerned that in a larger school among 2,000 people he would just get lost in the system.

There was no way we could have ever looked at the school before because we do not have that sort of money but as soon as I saw it advertised, I knew in my head and in my heart that St Leonards was where he needed to be.

When we were applying for a place, people said it could be hoighty toighty and posh but that is a total misconception. It is such a warm, welcoming and friendly school.

He just loves it and I think it is the most amazing school. The ethos of work hard and play hard is second to none.

When you walk into the school, the children speak to you and they say hello and they communicate with their teachers.

When I pick my son up I see children skipping and laughing and having fun. Often, my son comes out of school and says I have had the best day yet - it’s no exaggeration.”