Bursaries

[Lee2019]

Hi, I am new here and hope somebody may be able to help.
My daughter has passed her entrance exams for an independent school, and we have applied for a Bursary, But will need extra funding. Does anybody have info about charities/ grants that can help ? (We are in the Bristol area). Thanks

Not without knowing more about you and your finances. Sometimes trade guilds give bursurial support. Is your dd gifted academically and are you in receipt of free school meals?

Also what year is she applying for?

Whilst it's lovely that your daughter has passed the entrance exam. I'm not sure independent school is such a good idea, if you need to rely on a bursary and additional funding in order to afford it.

Yes I have to say I agree and I speak as someone with a Dc at independent school with a scholarship and a bursary. We are extremely lucky to have such a generous bursary but we still have to raise 8k a year!

Yes we get free school meals, and have applied for the schools bursary help. I can afford some costs but realise I will need extra help, which is why I am looking for charity/grants in my area. she is starting Y7 in September.

Without being nosy, what is your financial situation like? What do you and partner do for a job?

Also you probably don't want to say but what is the schools policy? There are some schools near me where they will give up to 90 percent of fees paid, some where you can get small amounts as a scholarship and that's it. It depends on the school

I know where I live there are small local organisations which offer small amounts as grants. It might be intended for orphans of a certain parish or girls living within a few miles of a certain village. I applied to one and got a couple of hundred pounds to pay for uniform.

I think I googled grants and name of county. Local libraries used to keep a directory with this kind of information maybe they still do, but I would think most info online.

Surely if you are eligible for free school meals you'll get a 100% bursary if she's come high up enough in the exam to qualify for one? Every independent school I've ever worked for has given means tested bursaries which would be 100% if you are on free school meals. The only snag is if she's only just scraped in, as they usually start at the top of the list offering bursaries based on means testing, so sometimes if you're at the bottom of the list and there's been several eligible children higher the bursary pot runs out before it gets to you .

Thanks you all for the messages.
the 2 schools she has passed exams for do have 1 x 100% bursary, but as pointed out there may be other children more eligible. We are waiting to hear if we are awarded a bursary from the school, but in the meantime I am looking (googling) for any alternative source of funding.

Well perhaps if you let us know what your situation is people may have ideas E.g are you affiliated to the military / a trade / an ethnic group / anything else that may have niche funding?

I've never heard of charities paying for private school - why should they, everyone can be educated for free in Britain.

Our DC had bursaries for indies...it was cheaper than my friends DC attending local grammar..a few of the Bristol schools have historic funds for low incomes, speak to the bursar.