I cant get a Bursary..but have OEA

[Kenlee]

Im just wondering will the kids bully my daughter as she is on Overseas allowance?

[annh]

How would they know?

[LIZS]

What is OEA ? Dc don't know who is on a bursary in their classes.

[SoggySummer]

No idea what OEA is. We used the military continuity of educaton allowance for our children. There is no way without it we could even think about the schools they are at - we are pretty poor tbh.

Other people (as in adults/parents) probably know/guess we must be in receipt of it because of where we live, what the kids say Dad does does for a living or if DH turns up in uniform but no one is told so by the school.

I have never seen (to other forces families) or experienced myself any bullying or nastiness. Infact the kindness of other families have been amazing when we have been posted further and further away from the school and they have stepped in and helped us out with airport runs/sleepovers to assist in us travelling to school at end of term etc. Even providing us with lunch on arrival.

To be fair the awkward bit is being so far away atm that its very difficult to reciprocate even in the holidays and I do worry (my own insecurities because everyone has been lovely) what they would think if they ever came to our tiny, tatty (lowest grade) married quarter.

[Kenlee]

OEA is an Overseas Educational Allowance which is part of your remuneration package for all staff that work for the Hong Kong government.

Without it paying the school fees would be a strain on the pocket. I was just wondering wether it is looked down on?

We do not live in luxury but we feel it is important to give our daughter the best education we can afford.


I suppose this is really just my own insecurities coming to the service.

[annh]

I am asking again how the other students would have any idea how your dd's school fees were being paid? She is hardly going to tell them, is she?

[scaevola]

As the school needs to be on the approved list, I cannot imagine there would be ingrained bullying towards the HK students (else that approval would no doubt be swiftly withdrawn). And I would expect them to have a great deal of experience of the needs of overseas pupils.

Have you checked your eligibility for OEA? It was never available to all staff, and was abolished some time ago for anyone appointed after 1996.

[Kenlee]

I am pre 1996 and I am high enough up the pay scale for it to be granted.

I am pretty sure all government workers pre 96 were given this OEA. From WKMII to D4....

Although to be honest I was told I was eligible by the office staff..

[scaevola]

It's only ever been available to those from overseas, and now it's only those pre-1996 from overseas. I don't think it was ever grade dependent (but ready to be corrected on that one).

[Kenlee]

To be honest I dont really know but have been told can apply and having extra money is nothing to be sniffed at.

[scaevola]

The ceiling is 90% fees, so it won't be cost-free for you.

Perhaps you need to find out the official T&Cs, and ask around colleague who are using the scheme how their DCs are getting on? And of course look at the schools on the approved list. When will you next be in UK to look around a short list of them? Or will you have to leap unseen? (In which case I can see why it is so daunting, and LEA might be something to consider instead).

[Kenlee]

To be honest we have settled on a nice little school in Godalming 20 mins from her Maternal Grandma and 30 mins drive from her Uncle in Kingston. Unfortunately or fortunately her Paternal grand parents live in Manchester so a 200 mile drive is out of the question.

We can afford the fees on a tight squeeze but with OEA we can also provide her with the basics required for the school.

The office staff have been very good in searching for the school on the acceptance list. I think every school in England must be on that list.

[Mutteroo]

OP, both my DCs were on bursaries. Both found that pupils had no need to ask questions about bursaries/scholarships/wealth as no one wanted to be known as the wealthiest!

I shouldn't worry as nowadays independent schools have pupils from all backgrounds. yes the majority are better off, but not all.