Independent Primary bursaries

[HettyB]

We’re thinking about the independent sector for DD but, frankly, it’s out of our budget.

Does anyone know what sort of income level might qualify for a bursary, or what other factors might be taken into consideration?

I suspect we are probably not wealthy enough to afford full fees, yet not ‘poor enough’ to be eligible for any help with fees.

You need to look at the bursary policy of the school you are interested in.

I have, but no schools actually say what sort of income level they consider eligible for financial support.

I was just asking if anyone knew, through experience or anecdotally, what sort of household income level might be eligible.

It will vary from one area to another , one school to another. They tend to be limited at prep school level unless the child has a particularly desirable strength.

I think schools tend to not give that exact information, but for a local school which I just looked at, they stressed that they would expect an eligible family to have no 'hidden' income or assets: so no payments made to the family by grandparents, no fancy cars, no second or BTL or holiday properties. A genuine lack of funds and no possibility to increase them, basically.

If anecdotes are any use, the people I went to independent secondary with who got bursaries were, for example, in care for part of the time they were at school.

If you are in London you can get a bursary with a household income of up to £80k per year as long as you have no substantial savings.
GDST schools tend to say 100% for up to 40k household income on a sliding scale until around 20% for 80k.
I don't know how this differs out of London. Prep school bursaries are usually much less generous than secondary independents. Most are for 7+ or above.
You will have more luck with a big, popular school or school which is part of a group with more financial backing (look up GDST schools as a start). A lot of smaller independents in more country locations are struggling at the moment and so unlikely to be able to offer bursaries.

Just contact schools and ask - you will soon get an idea if there is a chance. I am a teacher who has taught in state and prep. Honestly, the difference from 4-8 years is so minimal. You can do so much supporting at home and going along to activities out of school so if it is a struggle financially I would just save it until 7 or 8+, or 11+. The older the child, the more difference private schooling makes IMO with the average, supportive family.

From what I understand most schools only offer bursaries to current students who have fallen on hard times or children who are exceptional and will be seen to particularly benefit at the age range. Obviously some years there will be extra funds in the bursary account and other years not as much and this will also have an effect. I don’t think you will be able to find out any way other than meeting with the bursar.

Very few preps offer bursaries.

Very rare for primary age (and non existent for early years). I would choose a good state school-
And tutor for 11+ and hope they do sufficiently well that you may be offered a combo of scholarship/ bursury.

DS had bursary from age 4-5 - they do exist. Most bursaries I know about are on a sliding scale and it depends on the school what the limits of that scale are ( and school often do not disclose the limits).