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Original poster

My children have all attended private school on a full bursary AMA

136 replies

Sienna57 · 12/07/2018 22:01

I see lots of threads on here with people asking for information on the bursary system. Having put four children through private school for more or less free, I know the system pretty well, ama.

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Original poster
Sienna57 · 12/07/2018 22:57

Burseries have to be applied for every year, but once you get in unless there is a significant change in your circumstances then it will not be taken away.

My children are not particularly bright, two are very good at a certain subject and probably average at the rest. One is a very hard worker and achieves because of that but is probably only slightly above average. One is probably below average.

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Original poster
Sienna57 · 12/07/2018 22:59

DieAntWord - I earn around £22,000 pa.

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Original poster
Sienna57 · 12/07/2018 23:04

Kids on bursaries don't have to perform any better than others to keep the bursary. Their behaviour has to be good and they must show that they are making full use of the opportunity but thats fair enough in my opinion. If your being given a £35,000 education for free then you should appreciate it.

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foxferry · 12/07/2018 23:07

Did you apply for more than one school per child at a time? Did they need to take an entrance exam as a condition of the bursary?
Have you found it difficult getting them all to their different schools and back every day?!

tictoc76 · 12/07/2018 23:09

YOu must have put a lot of work into this - sounds like your kids appreciate it though. Mine go to state primary right now and I used to be quite anti private schools but that is changing for me. No way could I afford to pay fees even though for some I probably appear to be on a high income.

I’d love them to have a private secondary education but back to the question about income and full bursary? Do you know what kind of limit they would set?

foxferry · 12/07/2018 23:10

You said when you visited the schools you went as any other parent expecting to pay full fees. At what point did you ask or enquiry about the bursary. Sorry more questions. This is something I am so interested in because I am finding our current school is just not working for us and am thinking of options like this.

Notquiteagandt · 12/07/2018 23:16

Bording or day schools? I know alot of bursuries only cover schooling and not board. How does this work?

Original poster
Sienna57 · 12/07/2018 23:25

Foxferry - I went to visit the school as any normal parent would. I did not mention that I would be applying for a bursary. Most schools ask on the application form if you would like to apply for financial assistance so at that point I obviously ticked the box. I was then sent the application form to apply.

They all had to sit entry exams but so do all the children who go to their schools. They sat the same exams as if I was paying full fees. I did get them tutors for the exams and work with them myself on past papers.

It can be difficult getting them all to different schools, but now they are older they use public transport. I applied one at a time, the eldest was there for a year when I applied for the middle one. I done the same with the younger two.

I would very much recommend at least trying to get your kids into private school if state isn't working. I truly believe that it has completely changed everything for my children. They have had amazing opportunities and met lovely friends, and obviously had a very good education.

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KirstenRaymonde · 12/07/2018 23:26

One of the biggest barriers to those from lower socio-economic groups accessing bursaries is they don’t know they exist, or don’t know how to go about getting them, how did you learn about this as an option for your children?

foxferry · 12/07/2018 23:30

Ah, that makes sense. Didn't occur to me there'd be a tick box!
Not all private schools will have an entrance exam, or at least not one that excludes based on the result so was just wondering if being a recipient of a bursary meant you had to do one to maybe prove you're worthy of it in some way..? Are scholarships applied for in a similar way, as in is there a tick box to request an application for that?!

foxferry · 12/07/2018 23:30

Thank you for your time and answers btw! Smile

Original poster
Sienna57 · 12/07/2018 23:31

Two have boarded and two have attended day schools. The boarding school bursary covered the boarding fees too. All I have ever paid for is 'extras' such as dry cleaning/stationary/trips etc.

I have managed to send all the children on the trips that their classmates went on. This can obviously cost an awful lot, but they do allow you to pay trips up. For example I've paid one up in £300 instalments. Another thing to factor in is uniform costs, most schools have second hand shops though. I also don't buy shirts and trousers from the uniform shop, I buy them in M&S or next which is much cheaper.

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Original poster
Sienna57 · 12/07/2018 23:39

Foxferry - No problem! If you are applying for a scholarship then there are different exams based on the particular talent. Usually there is a box on the application form asking if you want to apply for a scholarship.

I think the main thing to remember is that private schools are not scary. People sometimes have an unrealistic view of them. I and my children have been made to feel extremely welcome by everyone. I cannot say I have had one negative experience. I have involved myself in the school community and made lots of friends.

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Parsley1234 · 12/07/2018 23:42

My sons pathway was different he went to preprep then prep then I could apply for s bursary from year 4. The headmaster then gave me a couple of options for public school and his recommendation helped my son secure a place. My son is very average but does interview well and has excellent interpersonal skills. I believe the same as Sienna my son would have been in a very different place than he is now had he gone through state education because he is very average.

Original poster
Sienna57 · 12/07/2018 23:54

Kirsten - I found out from a girl I met on holiday. She had two girls and had just got the eldest into a private school. She planted the seed and the following year I applied.

I tell anyone who will listen about the bursary system. I have a friend who was brought up in care herself, has suffered lots in her life and hasn't always been the best mum as a result. We managed to get her daughter into private school and she is flourishing.

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Original poster
Sienna57 · 12/07/2018 23:58

Tictoc - Every school is different but I think most wont provide a bursary if you have one child and an income of over around £40,000. Then it is a sliding scale of the % the will offer.

The only way to find out is to ask. Most bursars are very nice and happy to talk you through the process.

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ChickensError · 13/07/2018 06:39

What's your housing situation? Won't most schools not provide a bursary if you own or expect you to remortgage?

Feckitall · 13/07/2018 06:49

I did this with my DC too...eldest DS started at 7...DS2 at 12, DD at 11...varying reasons behind it...but ultimately we gave them opportunities they wouldnt have had otherwise..

carebea · 13/07/2018 07:11

Hi great thread btw...👍
I'm really interested to know how to apply for this bursary?
My DD is intelligent, very well behaved but I feel the school she is in atm is not bringing the best out of her, she gets bored and needs that challenge.

Please could you help me with your knowledge of bursary?
Thanks 😊

BotherationBuggeration · 13/07/2018 08:06

Do you think there are schools where you are more likely to be successful? Is it the bigger, richer schools who have more bursary funds rather than a small country church school or similar?

Hometimetoday · 13/07/2018 08:17

My child is only a newborn but this information is handy to know!

RainSim · 13/07/2018 08:49

Besides your income, do the burrsars take into account house ownership?

ProfessorMoody · 13/07/2018 09:03

I'm really keen to do this for my DS.

I went to private school on a 20% bursary, and my aunt paid for the rest. My parents were working class and could never have afforded fees.

I'm a teacher but I'm disabled and will be stopping working in August. DH is on £20k a year.

My DS is in the More Able and Talented groups at school for numeracy and literacy. He's intelligent and articulate but the school is below average, so I'm really not sure how he would do on entrance tests. He plays an instrument well, but we didn't bother putting him in for gradings, so again no proof there. He doesn't really do anything else as hobbies.

How did your children get offered full bursaries if they didn't do anything exceptional? Would you be willing to help me with the process if I was to try for DS?

loveulotslikejellytots · 13/07/2018 09:06

Not exactly a question but if your son is the first in his family to go to uni, most uni's offer a grant for first generation attendees. It's worth looking into, it's not a loan. My friends son has just been awarded it, it's about £3000. Worth looking at if he hasn't already.

MrsPatmore · 13/07/2018 09:30

Many of the London schools have much higher income thresholds for bursaries. You can have an income of £80,000 and still be considered (for a small bursary). Obviously they will take into account assets too but you won't necessarily be ruled out of you own a house. In my opinion bursaries are prioritised for those that do very well in the entry tests or have a musical, sporting talent they can offer.