As part of the launch week of our Boundless Futures Giving Campaign, we are proud to announce a new partnership with the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation. RNSCF is a nationwide charity widening access to the opportunities available in state boarding and independent schools for young people facing the greatest barriers to their development. For independent day schools like KES, RNCSF ensures bursary places are prioritised for care-experienced pupils. 

A KES Bursary Award is a fantastic opportunity, and we want to make sure that the places funded by donors have the biggest possible impact. Our main focus is to support pupils with potential who do not have the financial means to study at KES. However, we also recognise that a KES education can provide much needed stability and opportunity for young people with experience of the care system. Southampton has above average rates of children in care, so from this September, we are delighted to offer one full Bursary Award per year to a SpringBoarder.   

RNSCF works with 200+ schools nationwide with a proven model for success:  

• 98% of RNSCF pupils achieve 2 or more A Levels or equivalent, compared to 16% National Average for disadvantaged pupils.   
• 72% of SpringBoarders progressed to University, compared to 26% of school leavers nationwide.   

Sarah Butterworth, Director of Schools at RNSCF said: ‘We are thrilled to have begun partnering with KES to support care-experienced young people in and around Southampton. On our visit last year we were struck by the dedication of the teaching and pastoral teams, the excellent facilities and the positive atmosphere around the school. We have been so impressed by the support and thoughtfulness that KES staff have shown in welcoming a care-experienced young person to their community, and we look forward to working together to support more deserving pupils in the years ahead’.  

At KES, we are delighted to be working with such an inspirational charity to achieve better outcomes for young people. Our Boundless Futures Giving Campaign aims to raise £5 million to create more places for pupils from lower-income and care-experienced backgrounds. If you’d like to donate, you can do so here: kes.school/giving