To think this isn’t how it works? (Private school bursary)

Scholarships and bursaries are usually separate pots of money these days, and scholarships are often for nominal amounts (or, e.g., free music tuition for Music scholars).

If a school is academically selective then it’s quite common that they would require any bursary candidates to be in, say, the top quartile or top 50% of pupils sitting the entrance exam - they don’t need to be exceptional, but the school wants to know that theyll
hold their own (and won’t drag the results down!).

The assessment process is very thorough, to the point of being intrusive. Schools generally have less money to splash these days, so they want to make sure it’s going to the most deserving candidates.

Some schools have a maximum household income for bursaries. It sounds like an expensive school so £100k might be below the maximum, but for some private schools their income would be too high despite the mum being on UC

Bursaries and scholarships are two different things

Most independent schools are run as charities and to keep charity status need to retain a charitable element which is generally the issue of bursaries to enable those who couldn’t afford to pay the fees to have the costs subsidised. Purely financially focused, requiring a lot of info provided and they will consider lifestyle within that to make sure the subsidies are appropriate.

Scholarships are to address talents in a particular field, whether academic, sport, music etc. Completely independent of financial position of the parent

My daughter had both at independent school

Each school has their own criteria for bursaries and scholarship, so she has nothing to lose in applying.

She should also apply to other schools anyway just in case.

As someone whose child has a bursary, I think she's a little bit deluded, though I'd never dissuade anyone from trying.

I've been through 2 schools, and neither has considered my ex's income, but they are very thorough on household income. I'm single, but would have to disclose a partner's income if I lived with one.
In both schools, you're alao asked about the equity in an owned property, which has to be below around £250k I believe.
You have to list value of your car as an asset. If you have costly finance, they request you get rid or disregard some of the expense.
Expensive holidays are also frowned upon.

This year's bursary was particularly difficult and only given to very academic/sporty children or those with exceptional circumstances. One young lady who was quite bright - STEM subjects - was only given 5% and had to leave after a term.

It won't be as smooth sailing as she believes, unless she has information we don't.

Ah ok. Thank you. So the fact he's not so smart doesn't matter? Surely he'd need to pass the entrance exam? The average state primary wouldn't prepare them properly for the private school 11 plus? But if it's not selective I guess she may as well try!

That’s for a scholarship. A bursary is different and is support for fees in low income families.

I don't know, I suppose she can but try? I was under the belief that the kid had to be super smart.

Wouldn't they need a tutor?

I don't think the fact she has a car and goes on holiday means they'll think she's too well off to qualify. They don't expect the bursary kids to live in an HMO and wear rags.

I was shocked to discover that yes, it can work that way when someone I know was offered a bursary. They didn't take it in the end as actually even with it it would be a stretch and they couldn't have done the same for the next one.

I’d also stay out, much depends on how he does on the day whay she says about the relationship with the ex etc, and a bursary and scholarship are very different things,

To be fair, it sounds like his dad has that kind of money - unless his new wife brings in the majority of the household income. Whether the dad agrees on the schooling decision and is willing to pay is quite a different matter.

I love the way she's confidently 'planning to get a bursary' - like it's just the same as planning to pop into Spar to get a loaf of bread!!

My husband's ex wanted their DD to go to a private school, and she initially got a bursary offer on the basis of her own income by implying Dad wasn't on the scene. When Dad found out and told the school that he had their child almost 50% of the time and had a household income of £150k, they rescinded the bursary offer within a week! Most private schools will look at both parents' income unless one parent isn't really involved at all.

We had a bursary - the process was quite intrusive. We had to provide financial information for all adults with parental responsibility including bank statements for a set time period, proof of the value of any owned cars, details of any loans, mortgages, rents etc.

My dd is also exceptionally academic and was scouted for entry to the school.

We then lost the bursary because I got a 7k pay rise, I was still on less than 30k and we didn't own any property, old cars, no holidays etc.

With VAT, most private schools that I know have reduced their bursary offerings and are focusing on supporting existing families.

Labours' VAT policy only widened the gap, just as many people said it would.

If she's a good friend encourage her to apply early to get her ducks in a row, then it's up to her and the school. If she's not a good friend, stay out of it!

Bursaries and scholarships have been drastically reduced at DC’s school. Scholarships are down to around 15-20% max (so basically, the VAT) and they are keeping cash reserves in order to be able to assist any existing families who get into difficulties during exam years etc.

Let her apply, she’s living in dreamland. Hopefully for her kid’s sake she has a back up plan.

A friend’s son won a music scholarship to a prestigious private school. By October half term he was in the local comp with his friends. Sometimes what the child wants and where they feel happy is important. He went on to study at a conservatoire after A levels.

Has she spoken to the dad about paying?
A lot of dads doesn't have that kind of money.

This!

Our son had a scholarship for a cathedral choirschool for being in the choir. Lots of work. And lots of boys wanting to join.

Boys not in the choir had a bursery but never 100%. Getting a bursery in 2026 and not pay a fee is a dream.
You also have to pass the 11+ and lots of parents like the idea of a refund in fees.

It'll depend on school, as others say, but at a school local to me, a divorced parent was unable/unwilling to move in with new partner until her child on bursary had finished at the school, because of the fee implications

My guess is she is shooting her shot - why not? I suggested to a friend she put her son up for a sport scholarship but she refused because she didn't want him going to a private school. He is now failing in a state school and doing drugs. If you don't try you don't know. At least she isn't a reverse snob.

Well, there’s a difference between being mortgage free in a falling down two bedroomed flat above a chip shop, and mortgage free in an inherited stately home. IME schools look for bursary applicants who have already maximised their income and have no options to increase it further - but they’re not expecting prospective pupils to be homeless. Modest home; modest holidays; necessary car - all generally acceptable.

They will also (particularly with boarding) consider whether enabling a child to attend the school might improve the prospects of the whole family - by, for example, allowing a parent to accept a job that doesn’t work with day school hours. Or to enable a child to thrive where there are other dependents in the household (maybe a sibling) who demand a huge amount of time and care.

But in these straitened times I don’t think many schools will be eager to make awards to children gracing the bottom sets - unless there’s a strong reason for that placing.

It’s not just about the 10k per term has she thought about the ridiculous price school trips such as 2k to Canada skiing and the silly expensive uniform. I think she’s living in a dreamland!

Every school is different with regard to how selective it is and requirements for bursaries/scholarships but it does seem like a bit of a pipe dream that a non academic kid with a high earning father would get any assistance. If he’s bottom sets for everything then he might not get in at all unless the school is massively undersubscribed, let alone getting any financial assistance.

I think that’s the dad’s household income, not he mum’s (who is on UC).

I know someone with a large bursary, their income is low but they are mortgage free. That was excluded which surprised me.

Obviously gets his brains from his mum.