The Somnerfield Award and other Financially Assisted Places at The Compass School

As East Lothian’s only independent primary school attracting children from across the region, we are keen to ensure that an education at The Compass School is not restricted to only those families who can meet the financial commitment. We recognise that there are many children who would positively contribute to and benefit from the Compass ‘experience’, yet their families would require assistance in terms of bursary funding and other allowances enabling them to attend.

The Somnerfield Award

In partnership with The Compass School Foundation (a charitable trust set up to support the School in realising its long-term plans and ambitions), The Compass School offers bursary-assisted places for entry into Primary Five, Six or Seven. The bursary scheme, known as The Somnerfield Award, offers a 50% reduction in tuition fees. The scheme is open to parents, whose joint income is no more than £35000 per annum, with children who live within East Lothian and who are not current patrons of the School.

To apply for an award, parents should contact the School by telephone (01620 822642) or by e-mail (office@thecompassschool.co.uk) to request an application form and to gain further details. Application forms must be received by 1 May of each year for entry in the following September. However, applications will be considered at any stage of the year.

Candidates will then be invited to attend the School for a tour with their parents and for an informal assessment, with a report on the candidate being requested from their current school.

To ensure fairness, all applications will be subject to a financial means-test.

Other Financially Assisted Places

Supplementary to the scheme outlined above the School, at the discretion of its Governors, will also consider applications from parents with children in Primaries 1-7, not necessarily resident within East Lothian, whose joint income does not exceed £50000 per annum.  In such circumstances the Governors may offer discretionary awards ranging between a 15% to 50% reduction in tuition fees.

Other than the above criteria for discretionary awards are as outlined above for The Somnerfield Award.

Changes in Circumstances

The School will be pleased to meet and discuss with parents, at any point in the academic year, if there has been a change in their financial circumstances. Thereafter, and subject to satisfactory financial checks having been undertaken, financial assistance may be available within the parameters as outlined above.

If you would like to know more about financial assistance offered, please contact the Head Teacher or Bursar who will be more than happy to discuss the scheme with you further.