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Original poster

Bursaries

35 replies

Ponder55 · 31/08/2024 21:33

We're considering entering our DD for the entrance exam for St Helen & St Katharine School (Abingdon, Oxfordshire).

We absolutely wouldn't be able to afford the full fees (circa £26k incl VAT) and if she was offered a place, would only be able to take it up if offered a hefty bursary.

We're trying to think through whether it's worth her doing the entrance assessment, to potentially be really disappointed if she passes but can't go because of finances.

For context, our household income is approx £70k pre-tax, we have a mortgage (approx £200k left to pay off), one car worth about £3k, and about £3k in savings (plus around £7k debts).

I appreciate that there's absolutely no way to tell what level of bursary offer we might receive, if any - but does anyone with experience (either from a school or parental point of view) have any thoughts about whether we would qualify for consideration?

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Ponder55 · 31/08/2024 22:52

@WomensRightsRenegade Thank you for your reply. I feel that I'd love DD to have the opportunity, and think she'd thrive at SHSK. I'm keen to give it a try, just will need to do some very careful expectation management with DD.

OP posts:
user578006 · 31/08/2024 22:50

No problem. My main piece of advice is, never be scared to ask. Hope they're helpful (I imagine they will be - it's a really nice school.) And good luck!

WomensRightsRenegade · 31/08/2024 22:48

I’ve known people on a higher salary than yours get a full bursary. A lot of misinformation spread on mumsnet! There is also no requirement for your child to be particularly talented in any area - that would be scholarship territory, not relevant to bursaries. It may be that skills/ talents come to the fore in a tiebreaker between your child and another bursary applicant.

Talking about bursaries triggers many, eg ‘why would you apply for bursary?’ as seen above. Why not? I mean, one could argue why should any child get a bursary when free schooling is universally available! But you never know until you give it a try. They look at fixed outgoings/ disposable income, as well as assets/ equity. It’s also relevant if you have other minor children.

Original poster
Ponder55 · 31/08/2024 22:37

user578006 · 31/08/2024 22:26

Name changed for anonymity, but work in this area. The answer is - it depends. Not all schools link bursaries to particular areas of talent - some give bursaries based purely on means-testing plus passing the entrance test. As for your income level - it depends on where the school sets its levels. Does SHSK publish a bursary policy which gives any clue? If not, I'd phone the admissions/bursary department and just ask. They'll also look at other things. Eg you say you have a 200k mortgage, but how much equity do you have? If a million, you can probably forget it! If very little, then you're not going to get a full bursary on that income level, but you might get something.

Thank you, that's really helpful. House value circa £420k, nowhere close to £1million.
SHSK don't seem to publish any guidance re. income thresholds etc, but I'll try to ask them directly.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

OP posts:
user578006 · 31/08/2024 22:26

Name changed for anonymity, but work in this area. The answer is - it depends. Not all schools link bursaries to particular areas of talent - some give bursaries based purely on means-testing plus passing the entrance test. As for your income level - it depends on where the school sets its levels. Does SHSK publish a bursary policy which gives any clue? If not, I'd phone the admissions/bursary department and just ask. They'll also look at other things. Eg you say you have a 200k mortgage, but how much equity do you have? If a million, you can probably forget it! If very little, then you're not going to get a full bursary on that income level, but you might get something.

PurBal · 31/08/2024 22:11

Yes bursaries are means-tested but there would usually need to be a "reason" that the school would invest money in a particular child over another. Demand is high (and getting higher with VAT). The reality is schools can't offer a bursary to every child who applies for one, there is not an endless pot of money. Most schools seem to be offering 5x 10% rather than 1x 50% in order to help as many people as possible. Also re: VAT, most schools are prioritising keeping current students in education rather than making a financial commitment to new families.

brightyellowflower · 31/08/2024 22:02

Most bursaries offer about 20% off the fees..

Which given VAT has just been added means you don't get to pay the VAT.

The ones which offer full are usually to households on minimum wages or even not working. I honestly can't see you being offered that much of a bursary at all. Sorry just my experience. Having said that, you're best off just being upfront to the office and asking, what's the likely bursary with an income of x .

Original poster
Ponder55 · 31/08/2024 21:58

At the school we're looking at, bursaries are means tested discounts on fees - scholarships are for outstanding talent (eg. sport, music) and aren't a large financial award. DD is bright and we feel confident she'd pass the entrance assessment.

OP posts:
Pipsquiggle · 31/08/2024 21:47

Is your DD outstanding at something? Academic? Sport? Music?

It sounds like a high risk strategy TBH. Most bursaries are for not that much money. Sounds like you would need a significant bursary to make the numbers work

Pearl97 · 31/08/2024 21:37

On what grounds would you like to apply for a bursary. Is your daughter particularly talented in something?