Clydebank pupils are being offered the chance to apply for a fully paid for place at one of the UK's most esteemed boarding schools.

Fettes College in Edinburgh has expanded its Kick-start bursary to now include children from any location across Scotland.

Until now, only two students from five Edinburgh state primary schools were eligible for the transformational bursary scheme, which is supported by a charitable trust.

But this has been extended to 11-year-olds from across the country, enabling children from Clydebank to attend Fettes until the sixth form of the senior school.

Mr. Charlie Minogue, Headmaster of Fettes College Preparatory School said: “Fettes College was founded in 1870 through the philanthropy of Sir William Fettes and our philanthropic mission is to help bright young students, regardless of their circumstances, gain access to a Fettes education so they can have every opportunity to make the most of their talents.

"Our students aim high, and giving back to the community is a really important part of our ethos."

To be eligible for this particular bursary, applicants must receive free school meals or be in a low-income household.

Successful students will join Fettes’ Prep School for the first two years of their education, giving them the chance to familiarise themselves with the school environment across the 100-acre campus in Scotland's Capital city before moving up to the Senior School.

Old Fettesian (alumni) membership and access to the Fettes Careers Partnership is also included within the bursary, so the students have a connection to the school community for life.

Mr Minogue - who has been head of the Prep school since 2022 - added: “We provide exceptional teaching at Fettes, inspiring a lifelong love of learning.

"The quality of the education we deliver goes beyond achieving impressive academic results, and is much more rounded, with an extensive range of sports, co-curricular activities, outdoor pursuits and trips – Fettes is a place that matters.”

The Kick-start bursary is part of the Fettes Bursarial Programme.

Applications for the bursary are now open and will close on 15 January 2024.

More information about the bursary and an application form is available here.