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AMA
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.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sienna57 · 01/08/2018 10:33

CraftGin - You are not paying over the odds to allow a child to attend on a bursary. Quite the opposite, the school providing bursaries allow fees to be kept low. The tax relief private schools get with charitable status is huge and will save you a significant amount on fees.

Sevendown - It is the norm to only provided bursaries at secondary school, however, there are several schools that offer it from primary age.

Springmachine - You don't have to be 'poor' as such just unable to afford the fees. I would not class myself as poor really, I mean I couldn't afford the fees but I live in a nice house, we go on holiday very few years and I drive a decent car. An income of around £40,000 would get you some form of financial help with one child.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sienna57 · 01/08/2018 10:36

NameChanger22 - That is awful but not my experience at all. I think in years gone by, bullying of all sorts was much more common and accepted. My children have never once had any sort of bullying and neither have the other kids I know who attend private school on a bursary. Its not common knowledge who is on a bursary and nobody really knows. There are many very wealthy families who drive old banger cars and practically all the kids get their uniform from the second hand shop.

OP posts:
springmachine · 01/08/2018 13:36

If you had a joint income of £57k but lived on London border, would a bursery be a possibility?

EsmereldaPepperpot · 01/08/2018 13:45

@springmachine Here's a London school with estimated bursary amounts based on income.

www.highgateschool.org.uk/admissions/bursaries/applying-for-a-bursary

EsmereldaPepperpot · 01/08/2018 13:46

It looks like you'd half fees paid.

sickoffootball · 01/08/2018 14:55

Our local private school advertises a maximum bursary of 30% ... I am wondering if it is worth applying in the hope that it is actually more than 30% subject to need?... Anyone else had this experience ?

Clionba · 01/08/2018 15:37

Where my sons went, the maximum bursary was 50%, although I don't know if they would award more if asked. Unfortunately, I do know of people that have had to withdraw their children because they were no longer able to pay the fees, so one would need to be cautious.

Happysummer · 15/02/2019 20:00

Hi OP,

We have an open day in a few weeks for girls independent school. I will need to tell DD state primary school she needs the afternoon off to attend the open day. I'm sure it will raise eyebrows with them!! What (if any) conversations did you have with the state primary schools about applying for independent secondary? Do headteachers have to write a letter of recommendation?

My DD is Y4 currently, excels in sports (athletics and archery), and is in the top group for maths in her class, receiving 'greater depth' assessments for year 2 & 3 and is 'expected' with English. Your advice to not mention bursary yet, and chase the school constantly is interesting. I confess I'm a little nervous about the open day thinking I know we can't afford it, and are we going to be the only one's with no idea about independent schools or the entry process......

MarthasGinYard · 15/02/2019 20:04

Happy not sure Op still around as quite an old thread.

When we moved dc state to private we found most actual open days were over weekends. The trial days dc then did we were open about to head, who was supportive.

As dc was in trial days it was still classed as a school day so didn't even go down as an absence.

Good luck

Happysummer · 15/02/2019 20:07

Sorry, another Q, on the open days did DC wear current school uniform? I'm thinking as I've booked the afternoon off work, I'll just go straight to school to pick her up after lunch and then go up to the school.

anniehm · 15/02/2019 20:10

The maximum bursary around here was 50%, DD's school tried to find a boarding option but said only boys schools had full bursaries - do you have any girls?

Happysummer · 15/02/2019 20:14

Thanks @MarthasGinYard.

The open days are all on normal school days to see the school 'working' so no option of a weekend.

MarthasGinYard · 15/02/2019 20:32

Not sure if relevant but on individual trial days which was just dc they wore current uniform.

On open days just civvies

Hope they go well

TeachesOfPeaches · 15/02/2019 20:33

I've got my eye on City of London Boys in London which prides itself on being very diverse and having a high number of boys paying no or reduced fees.

I grew up on a council estate and got an assisted place to a private school before the scheme was scrapped in 1997. It was a type of bursary specifically aimed at low income families but you had to do very well in the entrance exam.

MarthasGinYard · 15/02/2019 20:33

However I would imagine if you picking up from school uniform would be fine!!

I imagine all the attendees will probably be in similar situation from school etc.

Curious1982 · 11/05/2019 19:00

Hi OP, if you’re still around, I have a question.

It looks likely that my child will be receiving 100% bursary. I am beyond ecstatic. The school just seems wonderful. It isn’t local though.

I am worried about logistics though!
How did you get your children to three different, presumably not on your doorstep, schools?!

Did they do a home visit?

Curious1982 · 11/05/2019 19:02

Oh and are you a single parent OP?

Curious1982 · 11/05/2019 19:10

I’m sorry- I see you are a SP

As am I. And it’s the logistics that are concerning me.

Lolarose23 · 09/09/2019 14:01

Hi, my little girl has just started school, in reception class. She is well ahead of her age and can read and write and do a lot more than all other children her age. How would I go about getting a scholarship as I could not afford private school at all. What would she have to do?

Mummy0ftwo12 · 09/09/2019 21:16

Lolarose - a scholarship is different to a bursary, a scholarship will often give a discount on fees based on talent, a bursary is a reduction of fees depending on parental income levels, - you might want to start by looking at the websites of your local indie schools.

Dadwhocares · 10/10/2020 20:49

Hi Sienna57 this post is so relevant to my family...I am all over a bursary app...it’s been my main priority of my life for 3+ years for my daughter...hopefully applying this year...although given what 2020 has thrown at us do u think this is even more of slim chance.

Greeneyes78 · 27/10/2020 18:48

My brother went a private school and I refused, he goes from one dead end job to another and I ended up an Accountant, what a waste!

Incrediblytired · 02/11/2020 22:24

Did you send them for prep/primary? Or just public/secondary? I want to send my daughter from reception...

grassisjeweled · 03/11/2020 00:48

Utter kudos to you, op.

I used to work in a private school and honestly it's as you say, lots of people applying for bursaries but it's only with persistance that you'll get one.

Note that a lot of private schools have millions available - you just need to persuade them to give it to you!

No way will they actively advertise it either - you have to dig.

zatarontoast · 03/11/2020 21:13

I'm amazed how far your £22k salary goes OP; tutoring, expensive ski trips, uniform from Next etc. I'm quite academics than anything though that private schools (the top in the country you say) are interested in taking very average children (and one below average)on. What was in it for them?