Is there anyway to find how much a private school would give?

[lisad123]

As a bursery? We are considering it for dd1 who is 9. Her school is on notice to improve and the head has left, it's going downhill fast. She G&T in three subjects and in a large class. The school have told me and it's in the Ofstead reports that they spend more time managing poor behaviour than challenging those more able. I completely understand that, behaviour needs to be sorted out but it doesn't help my dd.
Dd1 has HFA, and we feel a smaller class would be better for her, but we are surrounded by large schools.
I have spoken to nearest small private school and they are sending out forms but the lady on the phone couldn't tell me much. She said you fill in a form, send it back, they send someone round to discuss and then decision is set by governors.
Is there a standard idea of earnings vs fees?
We don't earn much and live in a small two bed terrance locally.
I am fully aware of the feelings of G&T on MN. I would also add that dd1 has high functioning autism and we are proud everyday of all the wonderful things she's does, not just the education, she is polite, sweet and has a wonderful laugh :)

Any help would be great

Now just need to work out school bus fees and uniform!

Brilliant news. Am so very pleased for you.

IME it is very much the 'done' thing to kit your child pretty much fully from the second hand uniform shop, and there will probably be loads of kit there at the moment as people offload all their stuff at the end of the year. But you will need to hurry because lots of schools are finishing this week (we finish Wed). Give the school a ring and ask. TODAY!

In DC's school the second hand shop is run by the 'friends' and if someone rang the school this week they'd be given the phone number of the 'friend' for that year group, who would almost certainly (once you've called her) then pop in to the school to open up the shop for you. It's the kind of thing they do because their whole raison d'etre is to help the school community and helping the parents is part of that.

Also, whatever you do, don't be shy about explaining that you are on a bursary/trying to stretch your budget. We've come across families who have not had a spare penny and without exception they have found that one or two families simply pass on second hand clothes and so on (pianos also tend to be gifted....). You may possibly find a snob or two who will look down on you, but that will be more than outweighed by the friendships/kindness of 'normal' people.

Oh, I am so so pleased for you. Well done to your DD - I bet you can't wait to tell her!

Have emailed the PTA today to ask about uniform shop as I missed the sale on Friday!
Dd1 bounced up and down with glee when I told her. Sadly it's slightly marred by my friend being very very upset with me. She is of course worried about how it will unsettle her dd, but they are good friends and I have explained to dd1 that she can't rely on this one friend and to make other friends. I am also going to ask school to sit them apart.

oooh a happy outcome. well done.

So very very glad for your DD, lisad! Would just say, before you tell anyone you're on a bursary check what the school's policy is on that. At quite a few schools they expect parents to keep it confidential.
Your friend sounds as if she resents your daughter having what her daughter has, education-wise. Don't let it get to you!