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Original poster

Tearing my hair out over State boarding

287 replies

Teddingtonmum1 · 03/10/2013 23:30

As I'm a single mum with a demanding job , I have decided to look into state boarding preferably weekly if I can get my ds a place . Christs hospital is my number 1 choice due to the bursary and it's a great school ( my brother is an old blue so slightly biased ) am also looking at RAAs in Reigate and Gordon's in Woking got open days at both saturday and next thursday out of the 2 would prefer Gordon's as a fall back if we cant get into CH , but have been advised that I can claim tax credits towards the 'childcare ' bill .

Have quizzed Gordon's as to chances of getting in I live in teddington so the right side of London but they said it obviously depends on siblings etc .( no really fair if you only have one can see why there's sibling priority in primary but not at secondary as kids get themselves to school but those are the rules ) am a little hopeful to read someone got in last year from east London ? any thoughts about gordons ??? im just about tearing my hair out as need a boarding place otherwise my sond going to be forced to become a latch key kid which I don't want HELP !!!!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 05/10/2013 17:39

Also with CH please be realistic with the bursary, if you have a high %age rent or mortgage you will find it very expensive. I think it is only 12.5% of gross income that they allow as deductable for rent/mortgage...

RandomMess · 05/10/2013 17:38

I was very happy with CH, went to look at Gordon's for 6th form and was very impressed. I think their full boarding places are allocated seperately to day boarders? Is it full boarding that you are wanting there?

mummytime · 05/10/2013 17:35

Oh BTW my DCs school offer a Home work club until 5 pm, and actually at 11+ a lot of kids are quite capable of being "home alone" for a while.

mummytime · 05/10/2013 17:34

I would suggest you also look into proper independent Boarding schools, some offer really good Bursaries. (Maybe Reeds? depends on your exact circumstances.)

Original poster
Teddingtonmum1 · 05/10/2013 17:25

Thanks for the info JWIM & clavinova will have a look at those. Have discounted RAAS at the moment as they don't offer any bursaries and even though it's discounted board only fees I would still have to find £8-1000 PCM which is going to be a big stretch.

The primary his at now has wrap around care until 6pm which is not going to be available in secondary

OP posts:
Clavinova · 05/10/2013 10:34

You should take a look at Reed's School in Cobham too.

JenaiMorris · 05/10/2013 10:20

What are you doing for childcare now? Bear in mind that journeys to/from secondary school are generally a lot longer than at primary - he might only be home alone for an hour.

I'm not knocking boarding, just suggesting it might not be entirely necessary.

LIZS · 05/10/2013 07:51

How old is your ds ? The distance criteria is a bit of a red herring . You can live quite close by and still only be offered a full boarding place but RAAS also take for outside UK.

JWIM · 04/10/2013 20:23

OP - have you looked at Lord Wandsworth (Farnham/Odiham Hants area) so down the M3 from home. They have a ?bursaries for children who have a lone parent 9make a point of this in their literature) and do weekly boarding.

nessus · 04/10/2013 20:02

OP, have you spent extended periods of time away from
your son? I ask as the idea of sending your child away is one thing but the reality is quite another...

Ladymuck · 04/10/2013 19:56

Sorry, but are you seriously telling me that you can't see the benefit for siblings being together in a boarding school at secondary?

In terms of admission to the schools, you need to be clear as to whether you are applying as a day boarder (when you need to live on the doorstep) or as a full/weekly boarder. As I read the criteria for full boarding, the assessment is about whether your child needs to board, and your location is irrelevant.

difficultpickle · 04/10/2013 18:40

You may be better off reposting with the schools you are interested in in the subject heading.