How to approach bursary issue after child already has place

Not just the 'chosen' state school, but possibly every state secondary in the area, unless there is a significant oversupply of secondary places locally. You will have the right of appeal to your preferred school(s) if no place can be offered, but if you do go to appeal, please don't use the argument that as your DD was previously at a fee-paying school, she must be given a place at the most desirable state school in the area. Think lead balloons...

Mid-year applications made now will be for entry now, not for next September; if you only want a state school place from the beginning of year 9, you will probably have to wait until the summer term half term to apply. Bearing in mind, though that whatever Ofsted has to say on the subject, some schools will have asked students to choose GCSE options during the latter part of year 8.

Approach the private school now with full details of your new circumstances. If they can help, they will, but be prepared that you may not be awarded sufficient bursary to cover things. That is, unfortunately, the risk and burden you take on when choosing private education. Also approach your chosen state school and get the wheels in motion for a late application.

In any case approaches and applications for bursaries should be made by the child’s primary carer.

Would be rather Victorian for a non-resident parent to make arrangements with a school.

I'm not entirely convinced the role of school bursaries is for situations like this.

Surely that's for the school bursar to decide?

Just explain you can't afford it op and apply. In the mean time apply for other schools for your daughter, state schools. The school will either say yes or no. If it's a no you need a back up plan.

Of course being in the same continent as your kids is hugely important even if not in the same household, especially since you claim their mum doesn't spend time with them! How can you leave your kid for most of the year with a non English speaker who doesn't bother with spending time with her?! You don't need 60k a year, get a lower paid job and send your child to State school and spend time with her.

I think this is the most ridiculous scenario I have read on MN for a long time. You have 2 choices. 1 ask the new school for a bursary (and quite frankly you don't deserve one, but who knows what they will say) or 2 start your daughter at a state school in September of Year 9. 93% of other year 9s are in state schools and doing just fine, many also doing fantastically and getting a great education. Grow up you really have let yourself and your family down.

redskyToNight
It seems relevant to me.
There's a massive difference between a family having two incomes, falling on hard times and needing financial assistance, or a family tightening their belts to afford private education but due to relationship breakdown they're struggling to find the final year of fees for y11, and man has spent the last 10 years gambling instead of working whilst Mum was on minimum wage job, the relationship broke down and he has shipped himself to the other side of the world. In this situation they didn't have the financial stability to confidently fund private education when they were together because OP didn't have a job. He was just lucky gambling for years and with no property and enough cash to keep gambling to the point where two sets of private fees could be paid, I'm guessing they were one bad gamble away from substantial loss. I'm not entirely convinced the role of school bursaries is for situations like this.

I'm not sure why all the discussion about the OP's personal affairs is necessary. The basic point is that he and the girl's mother cannot afford school fees, and have no easy way to change things so they can afford school fees (OP's previously well paid job being impossible to move back to from what he's said). So they either need a 100% bursary or they need to send their child to state school.

Yes, this is unfortunate, and a shame for the girl involved, but moving to a different school in Year 9 (worst case scenario) is hardly akin to child abuse. With the wonder of social media she can continue to keep in touch with her old friends and organise to see them.

Why do you all care about this Asian girlfriend 😂 the guy came on here for advice so obv he cares at least a bit. Whether what the OP is doing is selfish or not is irrelevant because he asked for advice about school, not his personal life.

Lots of kids move to a state school from private and even more move in Y8 because it is a good time to move. She will be absolutely fine.

Which Asian country is it? Asia is a big place.

Your words not mine. Women from Thailand are not all prostitutes

So you are in Asia and your stbx wife is from overseas, hmm. Thailand ? What a catch you weren't.

So you have moved to a different continent leaving your daughter at the most vulnerable time of her life with a mother who barely speaks English, is financially illiterate, has no interest in spending time with her, will not be able to keep her home and is shagging lots of random men?

Shocked that you have prioritised moving abroad and running a 'fulfilling' business over being present for your daughter and continuing to earn an income to support her. Whether your wife cheated or not has nothing to do with your daughter.

What did this mean

The prospects of moving back to the UK are very dim. If I did that with another woman from where I live, then she would need a visa ...

if there is no new girlfriend?

It isn't the transfer to state school that is the problem. It is losing the support network of her friendship group at a very difficult time. Her parents are divorcing, daddy is living in Asia with his new GF, the mother has a very low income and apparently isn't particularly interested in her DCs, the UK family will have to move to cheaper accommodation as it is unlikely that the father can or will support them financially. The one constant in this girls life will be her friends so ideally she would go on to the same school with them not and will not be trying to break in to groups that have already been established at a state school for 2 years.

It is very easy to criticise the OP but it isn't really helping the DD.

Are you on the run?

Is your daughter aware that as well as swanning off to Asia and getting a girlfriend and a lacklustre business there, and abandoning her because weekend visits were depressing, that you are also pulling the educational rug out from under her?

If your ex partner is not one for spending time with your children why aren't they living with you?

Did you lose all your money gambling? Is that why there is no property to sell?

I mean it sounds like either the school gives them a bursary or they go to a state school. Some of these posters are acting like leaving private education is a death sentence. They'll be fine. And there's lots of kids with parents aboard. I'm sure OP knows the consequences of being very far from his kids, it's a reality for many and a personal decision, just as it's a personal decision to work 70hr weeks. Not sure how much of your child you'll be seeing doing that either of those.

Look at your state school options and see what the school says. They will be fine.