State or _*poss* free place at private

Just because you would qualify for a full bursary, doesn't mean you will get one. Most schools have more applications for bursaries than they can provide so they generally offer them either to the pupils who will bring the most to a school (sport of music) or to those who have top marks in the entrance exam. ALternatively they spread the pot around so say offer 5 pupils 80% bursaries rather than 4 at 100%. would you need 100% in order to attend the school?

WHilst I agree you have nothing to lose, it is up to you to manage both your own and your DS's expectations over the likelyhood of getting a 100% bursary - especially if as you say he is behind in english.

Bursaries are normally used to top up scholarships for children who are particularly good at something (Art, Drama, Music, Sport), where the scholarships themselves are only worth 5% of the fees.

To qualify for a 100% bursary at one school I know, you can't have a household income above 35K , but the sliding scale of bursary help doesn't cut off till 100K. ( This is in London).

So therefore a household on 95K, a home with a mortgage and a couple of kids would qualify as a 'top up' as you say, of 5% or so, but OP is talking about 100% bursary, complete different case to your example.

Unless you know the parents well, its impossible to know who has been awarded a 100% bursary, yet I know many parents who tell me about their scholarship and bursary combo smugly, never had one gloat being so financially disadvantaged they qualify for 100% help.

Agree that no school is going to hand 100% bursary to a pupil who doesn't shine in entrance and interview, but the type of bursary top ups you're talking about are for middle class households who wouldn't qualify in financial terms for a 100% bursary anyway.

OP, I do know a family who have this set up but in reverse, DD goes to highly rated private school on full bursary, son goes local state, no problems at all as the girl is so bright and geeky.

I think you should have a sit down with your DD , then your DS and decide.

I wouldn’t. If you have just one child, it’s worth to have a go but you have two. It makes inequality between your children and may impact their relationship for a long time.

BTW, bursaries are reassessed, mostly annually.

@scarecrow22 How do you know that you would qualify for a bursary? I have some experience of independent schools (everyone in my family and husband's family have been through the independent system, as have our five DC). My experience is that bursaries are generally only offered if there is a very specific reason that they want the child to go to that particular school. Passing the entrance exam doesn't remotely guarantee that they will offer you a bursary, however low your income might be. Bursaries are normally used to top up scholarships for children who are particularly good at something (Art, Drama, Music, Sport), where the scholarships themselves are only worth 5% of the fees. Have you spoken to the actual school about how to go about applying for financial assistance?

I think it can be tricky if you only have two children, and one is sent to an independent school and the other isn't. Especially if the boy is sent, rather than the girl. I am sure you don't mean it that way, but there would be raised eyebrows in some quarters that you might appear to be putting the boy's education ahead of his sister's. It's easier if you have several children and only one of them goes down the independent route as a result of a scholarship/bursary. Then they are the 'outlier', and the others are the norm.

Hi, I don't know much about private schools. But being offered a 100% bursery for entry into year 6.... Does this continue throughout his entire secondary schooling or is it reassessed often/yearly?
If it's reassessed and your situation changes can you afford to top up or pay the fees?
Will there be a space available at your DD school should you need to take him out of the private school? Or is it usually oversubscribed and a long waiting list.

I don't see any harm in your son being tutored and doing tests if he's happy to do so.

I see it's a win win situation if you are happy with the "fall back" state school if he doesn't pass exams and get into the private school.

It sounds like you like the idea of it, rather than your DS actually expressing any sort of interest?

I wouldn't. The reality might not match your expectations, you'll be creating inequality between your children. I'd also worry how "free" "free" really was. If you earn little enough to qualify for a full bursary then I assume you don't have any money to spend on extras.

I would say give it a go if that is what he wants. But do get him to do the 11+ mocks to see how he does. The school will either have a written exam, online or both. You could trial a 5 day free trial with Atom to see how he scores with the mocks. If he gets above 120 that is good. They say to aim above 120 for the competitive schools. You could even ask Atom what score he needs for the school to get a better idea. Just make sure you research 11+ so you are prepared. I feel like a lot of parents from state schools arent aware of how competitive it can be. My dc are both state schooled and I see that the state school dc are bright, but just not prepared for the 11+, so the ones that try do not pass the first round.