The Impact

As we grow the number of free places, we have sought to understand the value that full bursaries have for individuals, their families, the College, and society. Our questions will take time to answer, particularly as benefits for pupils might not be seen until they reach adulthood. However, we are also keen to identify opportunities where we can learn and improve how we support pupils and their families.  Early responses will also act as a baseline for future reporting.

To fully understand the impact of a free education at Marlborough, we have divided our approach into three areas:

  • The impact on those who have received a bursary
  • The impact on the College community
  • The impact on the parents of bursary recipients, teachers and wider society
 
In addition to the thoughts of our community, we also examine the performance of bursary pupils in comparison to their fee-paying counterparts. We are delighted that in 2024, 14 bursary pupils went on to universities including Oxford, Durham and Edinburgh, in similar proportions to their fee-paying classmates and the average grade for bursary pupils is equal to an A at A Level.

Marlborough immersed me in an environment that told me that not only was anything possible, but that great things were expected from me, and it changed me as a person.

I was never ashamed that I was there on a bursary and didn’t shy away from telling people if they asked. I can’t say it ever affected me or my social life either way.

I have never been academically strong. I have always relied on sport, music and drama to get me through. But Marlborough understood my weaknesses and guided me to better understand each subject that I struggled in.

Bursary Holders

relished the academic challenge
1 %
felt prepared before they arrived
1 %
agreed that being a bursary pupil did not affect who they mixed with
44 %
shared their bursary status with friends
1 %

Our Marlborough Community

thought it is important that Marlborough attracts pupils from different backgrounds
1 %
of recent leavers knew one or more bursary pupils
1 %