Do your DC get a partial bursary for a private senior school?

[tenorladybeaker]

I've been looking around senior schools for y7 entry for my DC who is currently y5 so have a year before making any decisions.

The best option is actually a state school but with very low chance of getting a place - it's an academy that uses a lottery system and the odds against being one of the lucky ones is pretty unrealistic (after siblings and other special categories we wouldn't qualify for there are about 18 applicants per available space).

The next best "fit" is a private school. I have reservations about private education and certainly some of the private schools I have looked at rank below a number of state schools in my view, but this one school does seem to be worth going for.

We certainly aren't poor but we aren't wealthy either. The school point-blank refuses to give a ballpark figure for what kind of household income might trigger a bursary as it all depends on who applies in a particular year. I do get that, but wondered if I could ask any MNer whose child does get a bursary what your annual household income bracket is to qualify for that?

The fees are currently around £15k per year. With reasonable steps to austerity, including stopping overpaying the mortgage, reducing pension contributions, trimming normal outgoings like food, utilities and entertainment services, and swapping the summer holiday (which was never that posh) to a camping trip in the UK, we could scrape together about £10k per year. So I am hoping that a 30% bursary is feasible.

However clearly as a household that can even consider finding £10k per year "spare money" we are obviously way better off than the vast majority of the population who could never dream of that kind of disposable income.

So in your experience are bursaries reserved for only those in the lowest income brackets, or do "well off but not quite well off enough" families sometimes get a more modest level of support?

[AjasLipstick]

We got a bursary for our DD and we earned less than 30.000 a year between us. It was more than a half bursary though; it covered three quarters of her fees. It was awarded to us 4 years ago.The school in question had been aware of DD because she'd attended their attached primary school thanks to her Grandparents paying fees.

Illness meant they couldn't do this for secondary. We told the HT we'd have to leave and she asked us to fill in forms with income details and that's what came about.

We ended up emigrating after her first 2 years. She's now very happy in a low-cost Australian private school.

I only advise this...if it's a scrape, don't do it. The stress of finding the fees, plus the cost of uniforms and day trips AND feeling like you can't keep up with the holidays and things which their friends seem to enjoy is very disheartening.

And it's a constant strain and worry.

[AgnesNaismith]

Have you looked into scholarships?

[W00t]

I'm afraid you'll find every school is different. Ours has a sliding scale of fees for a range of incomes up to around £85k. But it's an old, well-established school (day school) so has a generous fund to play with.

[W00t]

And you don't get to sit for scholarships- they choose you!

[AjasLipstick]

You do get to sit for scholarships if the school is selective.

[AjasLipstick]

If you can scrape 10 grand together, then use it on a tutor and extra fun activities like drama, or riding.

[W00t]

Not at ours, ajas- as I said- they choose the scholarship boys, based on entrance exam (all pupils) and interviews (selected boys).
You cannot apply for scholarships, aside from music at DS's school.

[tenorladybeaker]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I know every school is different but it's good to know some experience. At the particular school we are looking at the scholarship programme has no monetary element - scholars are scholars for the honour of the recognition. It's bursaries all the way for fee discounts. @W00t your reply gives me the most hope - our income is certainly a lot less than £85k so we'd be on that sliding scale if it's similar - and it is similarly a pretty old established day school so maybe it is similar.

[MrsPatmore]

There are schools in London where the sliding scale goes up to £120K! Usually £45k. household income (gross) will qualify for a fairly substantial bursary in my experience. However, bursaries are usually awarded to those of scholarship level academically, musically or in sport. I think those candidates will get first dibs at the bursary pot if needed. Also income is reassessed each year and assets etc are taken into account.

[Mamamanatee]

We have a combined salary of around 80k and get a decent bursary for two dcs. They also have scholarships, one is academic one is exceptionally sporty. Dhs sister went to the school and they are local day girls at a mainly boarding school. Basically we tick a lot of boxes. We still have to find 15k a year.

[Mamamanatee]

They made it clear to us that they wanted our dcs. It took a year, including pushing both dcs to excel in their fields so that they were attractive. We also had every aspect of our finances analysed and we deliberately didn't take holidays and drive old cars. It's not something we took lightly. You will have to decide if you think its worth it.

[Mamamanatee]

Sorry meant to say day fees for 2 would be over 40k with no discount.

[AlexanderHamilton]

We didn’t qualify with an income of 50k

[Mamamanatee]

Also both parents have to work.

[MrsPatmore]

We qualified with an income circa £80K but ds was very able academically (also a grade 5 in an unusual orchestral instrument and quite sporty). Offered around 30% plus scholarships. Interestingly, at one school I negotiated the bursary up as they didn't offer scholarships (other than to music scholars). However, the fees were astronomical and sadly we felt it wasn't worth the hardship to family life for him to attend. We settled on a super selective Grammar school in the end and he's happy as there's no pressure to maintain the scholarship level and funds are building for university etc.

[ShalomJackie]

At DS school (which is a superselective) 15% of the intake receive bursaries some of which are up to 100%. My understanding is that the income is up to £70k. If you want to pm me the area you live I can let you know where it is

[CakeUpWall]

DD wanted to go to a local private school for 6th form. (State secondary she attended has no 6th form.) We said that she could try for an academic scholarship and then we'd assess the financial situation. We were advised that the school generally offers up to 20% scholarship, but the offer came back at 50%; comprising a combination of scholarship and bursary.

The most surprising part is that we were not asked once about our income - I even phoned the school and questioned the offer of a bursary, to be told that they would bypass the usual form. DD loves the school and it's absolutely the right decision for her. We feel very fortunate.

[Jetset78]

One issue I've never understood about bursaries is whether having multiple children impacts the eligibility criteria.

For example, you could have the same net take home position if you earn £35k and have 1 child as you would earning £100k with have 3 children (2 of which you're already paying full school fees for). So would the couple earning £100k be just as eligible as the £35k couple?

[mloo]

The bursary form I didn't fill in asked about siblings, so they must come into the calculations somehow.

[MissWimpyDimple]

DDs school gives bursaries on a sliding scale from around £35k to £80k. It's also based on performance in the entrance exam.

They will take into account any assets you have, although most discount the home you live in.

My income is low and DD gets 95%. I have to say though, by the time I've paid compulsory lunches, trips and extras, it still costs me a fair bit.

As everyone says - all schools are different.

[Mamamanatee]

Multiple children count although the assumption is that you will want to send siblings at some point

[Hoppinggreen]

We were offered a 25% discount based on DD’s score on her entrance exam and an interview. We have never given income details.
Her school is non selective

[AutoFillUsername]

Eldest DC is at a London school and we receive 25% off fees of £18 k a year. That discount is based on a combined income of £105k before tax, both working FT and raising three kids.

[Mamamanatee]

We were offered a 25% discount based on DD’s score on her entrance exam and an interview. We have never given income details

That's a scholarship. If they call it a bursary then they are not doing things properly and I'd be questioning their governance.

[LucheroTena]

Ours is a very old day school and offers bursaries (sliding scale) if parents earn less than 4 x annual fees. About 25% pupils are on some degree of fee remission so the pot is large. Both parents are expected to work (unless eg incapacitated, or caring for children below school age, or caring for disabled family member), plus they look at whether you can release equity, second homes. Your finances will be picked over. I think also your child has to score high on entrance test, ie not just pass. We earn too much for bursary but DD has an academic scholarship. Quite a few with bursaries also have a scholarship award, so they are generally exceptionally bright. Some scholars have music awards instead of academic, a few have both.