Does being a single mum pose a problem for DC getting into a competitive private school?

[Homely1]

Just that really. I am talking about the North London schools and am not sure whether they would view a single parent negatively. Anyone any experience or advice please? Thank you.

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

Why on earth would they? All they want to know is can your DC pass the exam and can you pay the fees ... Anything else is irrelevant

[Homely1]

Thank you! Not sure whether they look at family unit and use that as a reflection of support.

[AndreaJ1976]

Dear Homely1

Any school that would be so judgemental of your family circumstances would not be a school worth persuing! Things have moved on.
In my experience any parent who cares so much about their child's future to invest in their education is an asset to any school. Good luck with your DC, I'm sure they will do you proud.

[Leeds2]

I have no direct experience, but as Noits says, I am sure all they will be interested in is how well your DC does in the entrance exam, and whether you can pay the fees. They will certainly not assume that, because you are a single parent, you won't be able to pay the fees. You may have a very well paid job, be sitting on savings, have grandparents' help etc.

[Homely1]

Thank you x

[Lurkedforever1]

Not in my experience. Infact the only remote interest they had in it was to clarify who had parental responsibility.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Homely you will be expected to fill in a form with both parents details and even if only you are going to pay the fees you both will be expected to sign the form committing to the fees. Examination entry forms for the school's only require one signature.
There will be more single parents than you expect, but schools tend to communicate with you as if you were a traditional family. Though we have parent portal and Ex and I have separate logins, only mine has access to financial information.

[AnotherNewt]

My knowledge is based more on S/W London schools and it simply isn't an issue.

You can expect that they'll ask about your employment or other source of income, as they want to know that the fees will be paid, but they ask that of all applicants. And they will probably want everyone with PR to sign the forms certainly when you take up the place, and maybe to initiate the application.

[roguedad]

Our DD's junior school has families of all kinds, with various singles, divorces, parents in different places, widowed etc. Not an issue, save for ability to pay the fees. We seem to be in a boring minority of being a trad M+D!

[Homely1]

Thank you!

[SAHDthatsall]

No!