Bursary for Independent School

[harrietkatie]

Good afternoon!

A little bit of back history:

I am a single mother to a wonderful 7 year old boy. I am currently at University studying Social Work, only just finishing first year. Before this I was working full time at a local private SEN school.

I went to private school alongside my brother and only have wonderful memories of this.

I always thought private school wouldn't be an option for my son, as I obviously only have one income (his bio dad is not in the picture). Also, as I am studying right now I knew I wouldn't be able to do anything until I started my profession as a social worker.

I looked into bursaries, as I wasn't really sure how it worked, and I was invited in to see a local independent school last week after submitting an application for a bursary. The deputy head was extremely keen, and now my son is going in this Thursday for a taster session.

I am not worried about my son feeling 'out of place' in regards to other students and their family incomes etc. I feel as though most independent schools have such a wide variety of families and parenting.

I am hoping my son makes a good impression and also that he really enjoys himself on Thursday! I've told him to just be himself.

Has anyone else had any experience of bursaries? How long did you have to wait to find out what percentage they would be offering you? I am worried my son is going to love it on Thursday and that they won't offer us hardly anything, as I obviously wouldn't be able to afford it.

I have had to send in lots of evidence; tenancy agreement, three bank statements, three payslips (I sometimes work bank at my previous job) student finance forms etc.

I am still waiting to hear back from the finance department regarding the bursary. But I am very anxious whilst waiting!!

Any tips or info would be great!

Thank you 

Fingers crossed for you but just be mindful that the school isn't offering a bursary because they need bums on seats. My DD got a very large bursary, however the school went bankrupt a year later. This could have caused huge disruption to her education if another school hadn't taken DD's school over.

On the more positive side, DS was awarded a 35% bursary at a different school. They even paid for a school trip which all newbies went on & we couldn't afford. DS never felt like he was any different to other students, although there were some seriously wealthy kids there. I was nervous to start with, but many mum's were like me, if a bit wealthier!

the school isn't offering a bursary because they need bums on seats

I’m not sure I understand that. Why do schools offer bursaries?

Holiday- to bring talented or academic children into the school who come from families who would otherwise not be able to afford the fees - they are usually given to children who bring something to the school.

I think ABitOTT was referring to the phenomenon where schools that are struggling for numbers will offer relatively high numbers of generous bursaries in order to 'get bums on seats' i.e. appear that they are maintaining good pupil numbers when in reality they can't attract sufficient numbers of pupils who are actually paying the full fees and are therefore at risk of closure.

(Sorry, that was a very long sentence!)

Just to update you, my son has been offered 50% bursary and there's a place waiting for him! So just working finances and transport out and we will go from there!

Great news, harrietkatie - I hope you can get things sorted and that he has a great time!

That's great news, I hope you can figure it all out. We have two kids on 100% bursaries though we're a bit of an unusual situation. One gets all the trips etc paid for too, the other does not.

I have found it somewhat of a challenge that the other kids are wealthy and can afford things mine can't like the latest phones and headphones etc. I'm not sure how that will affect them long term but we try to talk it through together.

Ahh I was wondering about how you got on the other day - brilliant update!