EDUCATIONAL TRUSTS

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hello
does anyone have information on the best site or organisation to go to that lists all the educational/education trusts in the uk? thay that offer financial support with school fees. or does anyone just have any information on educational trusts at all?

also, has anyone paid for the good schools guide advice service? if yes, at what level, (there are i gather, a number of levels of service you can pay for) and was it worth it?

very best wishes

There's a Directory of Grant Making Trusts, but it's expensive. It might be worth asking your library to get it in for you. There are also various websites (I think you'll need to subscribe).

Most offer support for school fees only if there is exceptional need for it (eg ensuring continuity for newly bereaved children already at fee-paying schools, fees for specialist schools for those with additional needs)

thankyou very much

Are you already well informed about bursaries?

(Is there perhaps a reason why that route wouldn't work for you?)

i think i am fairly well informed. well, i am starting out on my journey of finding out about bursaries. i thought i would find out about trusts too, at the same time. may i ask why you ask? do you have more specific than normal information about bursaries too or is all school-dependent? x

I ask because, from my observation, trawling through innumerable trusts and charities appears a fraught and soul destroying business. It may have improved in the last few years of course - but there's an extra layer of stress where the educational institution and the grant awarding body are unconnected.

Given that the better independent schools are falling over themselves to maintain a broad intake (thereby strengthening their results) a well researched and considered application for a means tested bursary, at a school that really wants your child, seems a much more mainstream and less lottery-like option.

You're probably aware of this already but there is a tendency for people not to be bold enough in their application decisions. The lovely little school at the end of the road probably doesn't have the funds to offer really significant help - for this one needs to think hard about larger, wealthier, well established places that see the award of bursaries as a progressive strategy.

If I recall from another thread you are not that far from me. Round here I don't think you need the Good Schools Guide as there are really not that many preps around.

I think I would just phone and speak to the registrar of each prep in your radius and ask if they give/ would give bursaries for Reception.

thanks all x