Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

financial assistance with private schools in Scotland

26 replies

jennnnnnnnnn · 18/06/2015 09:21

Hi.

My kids are young and in early primary school just now. When buying our house 6 years ago I never gave secondary schools a single thought.....

However, now I see the schools where we are appear to be rubbish. My kids are bright and I don't really want to send them to the schools in this area as the score very low in the league tables etc.

I have looked at moving to the areas with better schools but the houses cost a fortune and out of our budget.

Can anyone explain the bursaries that private schools offer and what the criteria etc is? Our combined wage is about 45k. I suspect this will be too high but in no way on earth could we afford 20k a year for 2 kids at private school and pay bills and food etc.

Am I just stuck with sending them to the never ending cycle of mediocrity in this area?

Is it an advantage for kids who's parents dont work and are on benefits as they can then apply for bursary to private school education?

Is there any places in scotland where they can be assessed and get free places based on academic ability / potential ?

Thanks

Jen

OP posts:
3nationsfamily · 18/06/2015 10:40

All of the private schools operate means tested bursaries now rather than scholarships as this is required under the Charity commission rules. Not working and claiming benefits does not entitle you to bursary unless there is a medical reason you can't work- indeed for most there needs to be evidence that both parents are working if possible. They also take into consideration any equity in your property as you would be expected to realise this by remortgage or sale before any bursary award.

You can apply for an out of catchment place for another state secondary school in most local authorities in Scotland but obviously this puts pressure on popular schools and strict priority rules are applied.