The Royal Hospital School is part of Greenwich Hospital, a Crown naval charity, one of whose charitable objectives is to provide for the education of the children of seafarers. The school is proud of its historic links with the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. This is why we offer generous bursaries to 1st generation seafaring families so their child or children can benefit from an outstanding education at one of the country’s leading co-educational boarding schools. These bursaries, supported by Greenwich Hospital, are means-tested, and depending on the applicant's circumstances, can offer a fee reduction of up to 95%.

Our full boarding fees are also discounted for those in receipt of the MOD Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA). 

Register an interest in applying for a Greenwich Hospital Bursary or read on for more details about the application process and information days.

The school was established over 300 years ago to educate boys for a life at sea. Today, it provides an excellent all round education for 700 boys and girls aged between 11 and 18 from a wide range of backgrounds, whilst keeping much of its rich maritime heritage, including unrivalled sailing opportunities and a strong tradition of musical excellence. The whole school; classrooms, sporting facilities and living accommodation, is set in 200 acres of stunning Suffolk countryside just south of Ipswich: an amazing environment in which to live and learn. And with the added convenience of transport to and from the Portsmouth area at the start of terms and holidays (subject to demand).

The Greenwich Hospital Bursary is financial support for seafaring families to allow their child or children to attend the Royal Hospital School. Depending on the applicants circumstances, it can offer a fee reduction of up to 95%.

A limited number of bursaries are awarded each year by our parent charity, Greenwich Hospital. Eligibility does not guarantee that a bursary will be awarded. Bursaries are limited in number and are usually oversubscribed. Bursaries are allocated based on:

• charitable need
• seafaring priority, with the children of serving officers and ratings taking priority over retired personnel
• entrance examination and interview performance
• availability of places in girls and boys boarding spaces within each year group.
   

We accept bursary applications for boarding places from the children of seafaring families whose parents have served in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, or Royal Fleet Auxiliary for a minimum of three years. They may be currently serving or retired.

Entry is normally at Year 7 (11+ years) but applications for other year groups and into the Sixth Form can also be considered.

Bursaries are means-tested based on gross family income, capital holdings and certain expenditure. They are limited and only available on entry and are not available retrospectively to pupils already in the school.

Applications need to be submitted before the closing date for school applications in November and not before 5 April in the year preceding entry to the school. Normally all available bursaries and discounts are awarded by January. A financial support application form will be sent after a registration form has been received by the school. 

If you wish to make an application for admission to the school, please click below to be taken to the online enquiry form.

For more information regarding criteria, deadlines for application and assessment days contact the Admissions Team on 01473 326136 or email admissions@royalhospitalschool.org.