To consider even trying to get a full bursary?

[Theresmoretocome]

I have two dc 10, who will be going into year 7 sept22. We live in se london, but I am looking to move out within the next few months as I am seriously opposed to seeing them go to secondary school in the area with live.

I have however been looking at private schools only as that's what I would love for them and feel ds2 would thrive with smaller class sizes and ds2 academically, however I'm a single parent with a very low income and wondering how hard it would be to get two dc into the same school the same year on a full bursary?

They are both sporty ds1 more so, ds2 is very good at art so the chances would be good for them to get a scholarship in either subject, however ds2 isnt very academic he's not on the lowest bar, hes not great at maths but excells in science, art, and history.

With all of their attributes I've been looking at Christ Church Hospital as I feel that would suit both their needs, so was wondering does anyone have any dc there or applied to the school?

I would like if I can to access a practice test to see if there would even be any point in applying, as I wouldn't like to get their Hope's up just for them to fail and if they were to do well perhaps het them some extra help to pass.

There is a difference between a bursary which is means tested and aimed to help children access the school when they wouldn’t usually be able to, and a scholarship which is judged on merit.

Bursary’s are often for more, and aimed at people such as yourself, although they are few and far between. The best thing to do is contact the bursar at the schools you are interested in and see what they offer. Often they are for specific groups of people eg religion/single parents/bereaved etc but there is no hard and fast rule.

Do you mean Christ's Hospital the mainly Boarding School?

Thank you. I did look into both bursary and scholarship which can be awarded together, so if they wasn't to get a full bursary say only 80% then hopefully the scholarship would cover the other 20% if I'm reading into that right?

I've not had any experience with private schools, so what would be good starter questions to ask the school when calling about bursaries?

@RandomMess Yes that's the one, they also offer day schooling.

Unfortunately your less academic child is unlikely to get a place.

If you want a bursary they have board.

Their ethos is to provide social mobility so you are their target market so to speak and you would likely get pretty much a full bursary or near enough.

Their are usually around 8 applicants per place and first round is on their own academic test, they then invite 2 per place to board and assess them on "fit" for the school/suitability to thrive in a boarding environment.

Worth having a look round the school to see if you like it first, especially for Christ's Hospital which is a bit unusual (Tudor type uniforms etc). Talk to them about what they offer in terms of bursaries and scholarships. Bursaries will be means tested, and they'll offer a range of scholarships for academic, sports, art etc. Be warned though, getting a scholarship is very competitive, and it won't cover all of the fees.

@RandomMess That's my worry that ds2 wouldn't get a place and I wouldn't want to hold ds1 back as he would likely get a place in most schools based on academics alone.

It's such a hard decision and being a single parent I really have nobody to bounce these ideas off and know if I'm making the right choices for both of them.
Do you have any idea if they have a practise paper or last years test papers?

Yes they do I can't remember if they came as part of the application pack or they have them on their website but there were two on there.

Depends how you feel about them going to different schools tbh.

@Theresmoretocome Have you spoken to the admissions department of the school?

@DoubleTweenQueen No not yet I've only been looking at schools the last couple of days, but will definitely give some a call this week.

Ideally I'd like them at the same school, realistically if I'm going to go ahead with private schools only one will get in.

As I said I don't want to hold the other back just for the sake of it, but I do want to at least give it a shot for them both to at least have the same opportunities.

I've just looked on their site again and it gives you a download of a 2014 test, looking at the Maths ds1 would fly through ds2 not a chance, although he probably could with some extra help. Both would do well in the English.

Why do they have to grow up and leave us, it's such a hard decision.

I suppose you could move to Horsham to make visits really easy but I know you have to board to get the bursary.

There are other day schools that do offer very generous bursaries for successful applicants. There is a good schools guide?

Independent Schools Council website lets you search by location, bursary type etc

Yes, I think widening search and getting to know/visit more schools is essential. Each one is quite different.

Even on a low income invariably you are going to be fighting for places at schools which offer a bursary so inevitably your children need to be really outstanding, especially in the south east.

With all due respect, most children would thrive in small classes and excellent facilities offered by private schools but 95% of the population cannot dream if affording this. I also wouldn’t want my child to be the poor relation in the school, there is a lot of focus on status etc especially these days.

OP if you need a bursary, or bursaries, it's important not to fixate on just one school. Many of the most reputable boarding schools offer bursaries - up to 100% - and they're keen to offer them to children who would benefit, but you need to apply!

There is no guarantee of success. So you need optimism, determination and excellent organisational skills. Most importantly your children have to actively want this type of education. The application process can be a relatively long series of hurdles to jump over, you need to be sure the child(ren) involved are enthusiastic about it all.

Ignore anyone who tells you that independent school are "not for the likes of you". Bursary awarding institutions intend them to go to families without money.

The finances don’t sound like the issue, it will be the entrance test.

We only offer bursaries to pupils passing the entrance requirements and they are of course means tested.

Is there an undersubscribed school near you? If they have places available then you might get luckier as the marginal cost of additional pupils is low.

Can you afford any contribution at all?

We rarely offer full bursaries - 90% is generally the highest - 30% to 50% is more typical but that should t discourage you.

Most schools will only offer bursaries if you’d child is ‘bringing’ something to the school - eg they qualify for a scholarship first, & then you can apply for a bursary on top. Not always the case as all schools are different, but usually. It’s VERY rare you’d get 100% off everything - both boys would need to be exceptional - otherwise what’s in it for the school? There are thousands of kids who would benefit from private education & the advantages it brings, & obviously they can’t give free places to everyone, so they would have to stand out hugely to gain one.
My DD’s school gives 100% scholarship/bursaries in the 6th form but only to children who have scored incredible GCSEs (9s, in essence) so when they get all As in their alevels, it reflects well on the school. It needs to be worth their while - otherwise what’s it in for the school? While they claim to be charitable, they are ultimately a business & won’t hand out free places unless the child ‘deserves’ it.
If you can pay some of the fees and get a partial scholarship/bursary then yes, I would say apply, but if you’re looking for 100% then unless both your kids have really good skills (incredible artistic skills, not just ‘he’s pretty good’, top 10 ranking in the country at swimming/tennis - not just ‘he’s quite good at football’) it’s probably unlikely.

I would be careful about getting your hopes and/or your children's hopes up about getting a 100% bursary. That's not to say it's not worth a go.

CHrist's Hospital would be an excellent fit, it's a charity school and offers sliding fees based on parental income. I was actually coming on to suggest you looked at it OP. It would be my number one choice in your position.

OP most of the replies so far do not know about Christ's Hospital's particular setup, don't let them put you off.

I don't think it's a great idea to only look at private schools, tbh. Most of us (and I totally include myself here) can't afford the fees, and bursaries etc are like gold dust.

Since you are planning to move anyway, and live in SE London, have you considered any of the Kent grammar schools? They might offer many of the things you are looking for and be more accessible.

We’re in SE London, there are some good state options if you’re near them

Depends where you are though as you have to be quite close

Oh I'm absolutely not planning on getting any of our hopes up and I'm not just fixed on this school.
I stumbled across it when looking for other schools outside of London and was wondering if there was a possibility.

I'm under no illusions that most independent schools are hard to get into and are out of reach for most, but if I'm able to I will try it's worth a shot.

I just know that no matter what happens they will not be going to school in London even though there are some fantastic schools around.

My son was awarded a 100% Bursary at a very good school, from age 11 to 18yrs. He played sport at a national and club level and was in the G and T scheme for his sciences and maths.
I am a lone parent with another, disabled, child. I was struggling to get him to all the training and he was spotted by a couple of schools at a few matches. He went through a rigourous application process of tests, interviews and training with their teams.
In the final interview he was with a girl who played a musical instrument and was very gifted.
I think the only reason he got 100% was because I made it clear that he could not come otherwise as I had nothing spare in my budget (they rarely give more than 70%). We still had to apply to charities for grants for uniforms etc. He didn't go on many school trips.
His day started very, very early. He had to train before and after school and had matches on the weekends. He also had to push to his limits to keep up with the academic work.
I think, for him, it was worth it but they expected alot and the competition for places was brutal. I felt for the children who went through it all then did not get offered a place.