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Original poster

bursary success story

12 replies

stopsayingmum · 28/09/2012 22:06

Just thought I'd post this as I know it comes up a lot on here.
We are a not-so-rich family who have successfully gained bursaries for our dc to attend local prep schools.
We both work all the hours we can, and have a smallish 3 bed semi house and stuggle to keep tabs on the money.

The dc are 4 weeks in and are so very very happy. Both are making friends easily, and the other parents have been friendly and welcoming. Tbh I was afraid of how we would fit in being the "poor" family, but I really needn't have worried. I am not pretending to be anything I'm not, and people don't mind I have to work and dc don't do loads of clubs.

Really, at the moment I feel as though it's the best thing we've ever done.
There. Just wanted to say that. Thank you.

OP posts:

kerrygrey · 29/09/2012 05:41

Well done your DC - and you for putting the work in! Too many people think they 'won't fit in' with the other parents, that their kids will be looked down on. In my now considerable experience this just doesn't happen.

RosemaryandThyme · 29/09/2012 12:26

May I be nosey - are they full bursary ? Did they have to get a scholarship too ? Did you have to top-up their state school learning to get them in ?

I'd love to do the same as you, tried and was offered 20 percent scholarship, plus 60 bursary but sadly we couldn't afford the rest, would love to find a route that my lad could follow, he's two years ahead at school and sooo bored.

Original poster

stopsayingmum · 29/09/2012 12:52

Rosemary - no problem. I just want to reassure people that it CAN work out.

DS (y5) has 25% and DD (y3) has 50%.

DS just asked to see his current school work and accepted him, DD had an assessment day. DS was bored at school too. We did no extra work with either of them.

We can just about afford 1 set of fees, and asked the schools to split the rest between them. I know we got lucky.

OP posts:

lisad123 · 29/09/2012 12:59

I was trying to find my old post but couldn't to give update too.
Dd1 got her bursary too and four weeks in its going very well. The children and staff have been great, even down to the dinner ladies! The parents have been nice, although have been warned a few are very snobby, but nothing major so far.
Dd1 got a 70% bursary and we had choice of either paying via monthly dd or termly which is great.

RosemaryandThyme · 29/09/2012 18:38

Oh well done Stop and lisad, it's not luck, you've both got your families into a position to lift your children, that's hard work (from parents) and is to me at least, very encouraging.

Original poster

stopsayingmum · 29/09/2012 20:32

OP posts:

musicmusic · 14/01/2013 21:02

just wanted to ask you at what age your children went to prep school? how much does it work out monthly for both of them? would really appreciate it

middleclassonbursary · 15/01/2013 08:14

music we were lucky enough to get bursaries for both our DS's from a prep. The fees when we started were £5500 a term and we got a 66% discount for both. They went at 7 and 8 and we paid monthly. We managed to get a large bursary for the 2nd one from his senior school. Bursaries vary from school to school as does the threshold we earn what most people would describe as an excellent income for example we now wont get any CB. As a general principle your DC has to have something to offer to a school obviously in most cases its academic ability although we've never gone for a scholarship but it could be sporting including prowess or art or drama. There is only one solution to the individuals queries about bursaries ask the bursar. Be completely honest and I would strongly advise you to speak to the bursar if possible before you take you DC to look at the school. You are not asking for a definite yes no just an idea of whether or not thy will even consider your application.
Do PM me if you want to know more.

Labro · 15/01/2013 08:49

Definitely speak to the bursar, they can normally give you an indication of % even if not a definite answer. DS is on a 75% bursary and am looking for a larger one for secondary so they are available, particularly in day schools where the area is less heavily populated.

lisad123everybodydancenow · 21/01/2013 22:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hardboiled · 22/01/2013 17:45

Just to add that for us, calling the bursar before the application and the exams was not very fruitful. The reason is, they want to know what child they are talking about. So mostly I was told to wait, do the exam, etc. A couple of schools gave a vague idea of a threshold, but very vague. Day schools we are talking about 50000...60000...stops there.

Now the exams are over, DS has done extremely well in all of them and we have all the bursars calling home to discuss possibilities! So basically they want to know the child will be worth the investment...

Happymum22 · 22/01/2013 19:22

DC were all at private schools, half way through our financial situation changed and we thought we'd have to move schools. We got bursaries for all the DC so they could complete their education. I've always worked full time, as did exH, I was then a single full time working mum. I never felt out of place and never let DC. I have always been aware of the majority of parents being working parents at DCs schools, especially in secondary. Many get themselves too and from school, leaving after parents have gone to work and returning empty houses. Yes, there were also those whose mums were waiting in the car outside and had all sorts of luxuries. It is all about your mindset, if you dwell on what others have but you might not and worry about not fitting in, you will pass on these worries to children who are generally very ignorant and innocent and don't care if their friends have flash cars or not.

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