Scholarships & Bursaries Sixth Form

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund in the UK is a government-funded scheme designed to help students of the age range to stay in education by providing financial support for essential costs including travel, free school meals, trips and educational materials. If your household income is below £28,000, you are eligible to apply.

For further advice, please contact Mrs T Whyntie:

twhyntie@gillingham-dorset.co.uk

For: Further or Higher Education

George H Butler was a former scholar of Gillingham School but as a local farmer he continued his association, particularly with the running of the old school farm in the 1960s and 1970s. After his death in 1999, his Will left part of his estate to establish a fund, the income from which would be used to give financial assistance to needy former pupils to continue with further/higher education.

Trustees of The George Butler Scholarship Fund invite applications from present or former pupils of Gillingham School who wish to attend university, college or similar educational establishments in the next academic year.

The Trustees are indebted to George Butler for providing this assistance for pupils to meet the considerable costs and fees now involved in continuing studies.

Application: Pam Henderson phenderson@gillingham-dorset.co.uk

Deadline: Thursday 30th April 2026

Download the application form

For: A Level

Neil Lyndon was a pupil at Gillingham School who faced financial hardship but with the support of his teacher, Frank Hodgson, was able to remain in school.

Neil established The Frank Hodgson Memorial Fund in memory of his teacher. When Neil completed his O-Levels, financial hardship meant he was expected to leave school to find work. In a remarkable act of generosity, Frank Hodgson personally supported the family so Neil could continue his studies. Neil went on to become Head Boy, study at Cambridge University, and build a successful career as an author, broadcaster, and reviewer.

This fund now exists to help students at Gillingham School continue their studies beyond GCSE level, specifically by providing support with transport costs.

Application: Chairman of Governors, Guy Lowton glowton@gillingham-dorset.co.uk

For: Further or Higher Education

Part of the Gillingham School Foundation – Charity No. 306212

Born in 1930, Deryck Chant was the eldest of four children from a modest family in Kilmington. He earned a place at Gillingham Grammar School during wartime and, due to limited transport, stayed in lodgings throughout his school years. From there, he won a scholarship to Guy’s Hospital to study Dentistry, where he met his future wife, Annette. After National Service, they married and established a dental practice in Wareham, where they worked until retirement.

Deryck always valued the opportunities his education provided. The friendships he formed at school lasted a lifetime, and he often reflected on how different his life might have been without that foundation.

In honour of their parents, Mary Ritchie, Deryck and Annette’s daughter, established the Deryck and Annette Chant Fund to support current and former Gillingham School students pursuing careers in Medicine, Dentistry, or Nursing, particularly those facing financial hardship or need support with university fees, accommodation and maintenance costs and books or specialist equipment.

Applicants are not required to provide detailed financial disclosures, as expected in government schemes, but the more information given, the easier it is to assess the needs of the applicant.

Application: Pam Henderson phenderson@gillingham-dorset.co.uk

Deadline:  Thursday 30th April 2026

Apply now