GDST means rested bursaries

[twoplytwoply]

Does anyone know what income is used to calculate these?

Single parent, only asset is the property we live in, I work almost full time (can't work more for health reasons).

Just want to know if they will take child's absent father's income into account? Or just the maintenance he pays me?

Many thanks.

Usually they would look at the custody relationship. If the father plays little part in the child’s life other than the odd day here and there and only pays maintenance then it won’t be taken into account.

Shared equal custody with the child spending a reasonable amount of time with the father, including having a room at their house, regular overnights etc then it would be taken into account. Otherwise it’s a great ruse for avoiding payment of school fees.

Thank you. I don't want to avoid paying at all, He does see her regularly but he won't help towards the fees even though he can afford to. Will probably end up remortgaging to pay them in the end!

We have a bursary and the DCs father sees them EOW, they have a room there, etc. His income was never mentioned on any of the forms or by the person who visited us to discuss at home.

We have a very difficult relationship and he refuses to contribute at all despite being a higher earner. I think it's complex when the bursary has been awarded on the basis of my income alone anyway, but am considering making a court application for contribution towards the extras!

That's tricky. If he's in her life but just won't pay then they might not be so keen, as how is that different to a married couple who disagree on the need for private school?

It is worth checking about the equity element as that may be more relevant. If you for example have a four bed house but could manage with a two bed flat then downsizing may be something they’d expect you choose whether you’d be prepared to do, those who rent don’t have that option.

The GDST isn’t a heavily endowed set of schools so doesn’t have a massive pot of bursaries. DD found it a hard school to be in when we didn’t have money for the extras or the latest ‘phone etc.

Yes pigs. That is the exact issue bursars have to face in making assessments.

A lot of schools require both parents to sign the registration forms. If both sign then that is seen as acceptance of the school and therefore the fees that go with it.

However, bursars look at a huge range of things and have the authority to look at individual circumstances. There are times where it is not clear cut but the custody split is generally seen as the starting point.

Where a parent doesn’t agree to the school choice and refuses to pay then they can’t be made to pay.

If your child is exceptional and the school want them there then there will always be wiggle room.

I would encourage you to discuss directly with the bursar as only they will be able to give you a definite answer.

My experience is based on several years of auditing bursary applications at a number of top London independents. I dare say the rules may be more bendable in less sought after schools.

This is rather outing but DD just had a 95% offer from a GDST school.

They did not take her fathers circumstances into consideration.

However, they will expect you to declare equity in your house and any other assets.

It is also dependent on the performance of the child in the entrance exam.

Hi just to say in relation to one of the previous comments, our DD has a bursary and we obviously don't have money for the latest phone or the extras or holidays but we have not (and most importantly DD has not) found it an issue at all at a GDST school.