THE King s School Ely is to provide Sixth Form bursaries for students from low-income East Anglian families – thanks to a gift of £750,000. The money has been given to the region s oldest independent school by a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.

THE King's School Ely is to provide Sixth Form bursaries for students from low-income East Anglian families - thanks to a gift of £750,000.

The money has been given to the region's oldest independent school by a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.

The level of the Sixth Form bursaries, which will be means tested, could extend to 100 per cent of tuition fees.

Headteacher Sue Freestone, said: "The donation was totally unexpected and we were stunned and delighted by the generosity of our benefactor.

"In addition to enabling us to initiate new projects, the gift sends out a strong message of confidence in the school and its future."

There were no conditions attached to the gift. The decision to use part of it to provide funding for the benefit of 16-year-olds about to embark on the crucial final two years of schooling, was taken by King's governing body who, like the head, are delighted to be able to realise a long-held ambition to offer greater support to able but less advantaged young people in the region.