Tearing my hair out over State boarding

Have you heard yet Ted about the first round or is it too soon?

Children are also assessed by need, many of the students are not of the highest calibre, but may have a disabled sibling, or live in inner London with poor housing or environment.

CH go by academic assessment first and then wittle it down further by the suitability thing.
A lot of the presentations and legacies are now in name only rather than worth money and it could also be that they havealready allocated it to others higher up the school. Friend presents a child but only one at a time so won't for the next 5 years iyswim.

Their website was recently revamped so I'm not sure why they would have included it if it was no longer available. May be worth checking with admissions again (unless you spoke to the head of admissions, whom I'd assume would know).

Here mentions the West bursary as if it is still available.

That's much better odds than when my son took the test. 1000 took it then. Still, it's unlikely my ds2 got in, he's working at a level 4 in literacy

Yes it is emotional and I have no idea with CH if demand for places is going up or down with the economy! There are usually at least 6 applicants per place hence first round just done on test results - no idea how they could do it any other way tbh.

In the end, all 3 schools, even with an identifyed boarding need then means testfor the actual bursary, friends with children at CH who fit this criteria have still seen their contribution increase year on year, so you do have to go into it with eyes wide open to how much you are going to be paying throughout your childs education. Even the places where children are presented it states that some of these hold no monetary value for the parent.
Do always have a back up plan, whether its a day school so they don't tend to finish later in the senior years or a state school, whether local or out of catchment.
It has to be something your ds wants and the schools (obviously) have to want him. With the added hurdle of court orders it will be difficult but best of luck

I don't think the OP did come across as believing she was superior. As I said, my step brother went as his mother didn't want him coming home to an empty house every night, just like the OP doesn't want that for her son. My step brother came from a prep but still received a 50% bursary. They could have afforded to send him to a private London senior but wanted boarding, CH were clearly fine with this.

The only family I knew who sent their DC to CH could afford the fees but wanted the opportunities and unique diversity. I totally get that, if I had thought either of my DDs suited to Boarding I would have certainly looked there. What I don't get is why someone who cannot pay for it would be in any way perceiving they had a superior right to benefit from charitable foundations when lots of parents are more than happy with the opportunities they already have, and their need is no greater than that of many parents, and indeed considerably less than others. The rubbishing of a good local school and derogatory stereotyping of all other parents who might have a claim to the philanthropy smacks of illusions of superiority which isn't exactly embracing CH's inclusive values is it? No one on here is criticising OP for what she wants for her son, as Labro said if she had simply asked advice on the opportunities she would have received it.

hardboile, exactly there is usually a reason why they need boarding, some pupils just live in the middle of absolutely nowhere!! Some have 3 or 4 dc in a 2 bed flat that sort of thing, some parents will be old blues and want their dc to go there because of it's social diversity despite getting only a small burasry. Some will get extra discount through being related to the Wests, all sorts of reasons.

curlew ds has to sing for his school fees supper so has no time to do school clubs.

shooting a large proportion of pupils at CH will be in receipt of a bursary that is 50% or less, so would easily be able to afford fees at a day school.

There was quite an upset last year when CH sent letters to parents of children who didn't get through and suggested they apply to King Edwards!
They are also a foundation. Its worth looking around as there are quite a few schools offering foundation places, particularly to parents looking for full boarding places.

King Edward's in Surrey

"King Edward’s was founded as the Bridewell Royal Hospital by the ‘Boy King’, Edward VI, in 1553. The aim was to provide education for the City of London’s needy children, and our Foundation still provides bursary assistance to a substantial proportion of our pupils, true to its founding purpose. Although the School adopted its present name and relocated to its current site at Witley, Surrey, in 1867, close links with the City have always been maintained. The annual Service of Thanksgiving at St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street, held in March, is a colourful occasion attended by the Lord Mayor of London and dignitaries from the City Livery Companies.We want every pupil to receive the best possible education at King Edward’s and, as an Old Witleian, take with them the happiest of memories and lasting friendships into the future."

I should imagine they offer good bursaries as well.

There is a "sister" school to CH as well although they've been completely seperate for centuries I think - based somewhere close to Guildford - just can't remember the name...

CH does go strictly on academic ability for it's first round, it's test based but they look for potential and does use the common entrance exam.

2nd round they invite approx the top 240 from the tests to a 2 day assessment (for approx 117 competitive entry places - there are other presentation places). A huge part of that assessment is about finding dc that are a good fit for the school - those that they think will benefit and thrive there. Actually I think the focus may be more on discounting those that don't suit IYSWIM

However having "spoken" to teachers/employees involved def then look at social needs to whittle down to the admissions list, then they have a waiting list. Social need may include things like have a disabled parent - not necessarily entitled to a huge bursary (can't assume they are "poor").

I should think a parent with a residual income after mortgage of £100k will indeed be paying full fees!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CH are generous with their bursaries but you def notice the financial sacrifice of sending your dc there - they are very very strict in recent years for new entrants about what expenditure is deducted etc. If you have equity in your house valued at more than £500k then there is a percentage of income charged against it - after all potentially you could remortgage your home with that level of equity to pay independent school fees.

Those that receive full bursary would have an income typical of someone in receipt of state benefits only.

True as well shooting. Apologies as I missed that post. Its worth remembering op that with bursaries that they are looking for an end result and giving the means to facilitate that end rather than giving something away.

Happy All the biggest name girls' schools, apart from Wycombe Abbey (simply that no one I know has tried, that is not to say it isn't possible), some big name, one very posh , co eds, a few Preps and one boys school you mentioned there (and some others). I wouldn't have said anyone I know who has done it targeted schools that were struggling, just seeing what they could get at chosen school(s). I wasn't particularly talking big money because as I say they were parents who can pay, but 25% say, is always welcome. Of course if you are absolutely hanging in on getting your DC into a particular school as I know so many are with Winchester say, then you would need some nerve and brass neck to try it but if three schools are offering broadly similar propositions and all want your DC I might have tried. Certainly a culture shock for those of us in the London day school ratrace.....

Labro If you read through the thread it was the post where she implied that proving she was not a "chav" or "yummy mummy" was key and that those in the most dire circumstances wouldn't be on the starting grid that most suggested entitlement and actually I have tried to give constructive advice. I really think if she walks into an interview with Reeds and manifests some of the attitudes we have seen expressed here, either about her state school options or more generally, she will do her son no favours.