Very low/lowish income family - you know your kids could go to private school - right?

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Hi. Just what it says really. I find myself surrounded by families who have got full bursaries for their children to go to private school - some live in council housing, others in luxury rented apartments (paid by families overseas) and who do low income jobs through choice. Am struck at how many people at the lower end of the class system (sorry for the crass terminology) feel that private schools are for the rich only. This is just to give you all a heads up that it's not - so get applying - you never know.

@AnotherEmma I think plenty of people have discussed that uniform and trips need not be wildly expensive. Of course it is up to each family to prioritise as they see fit; absolutely not a case of the wealthy thinking everyone wants what they have. As I said, my kids have most things second hand, have had money towards school trips or kit for hobbies for Christmas or birthdays. We don't feel the odd ones out; we have sent children to this school for generations; it is probably the more nouveau riche who feel out of place but I have not much in common with them (much as I would love a flash new car) so not really my problem.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. A new school is often very hard for the first couple of years x

I agree with OP. They are there for the taking. However, it's unlikely to mean a completely "free" place. For example, we pay for compulsory lunches and trips on a monthly basis.

Uniform is not subsidised, but isn't significantly more than the local state options .

The really big bursaries do go to the top performers though.

Of course it's possible but in reality there are very few bursaries available and it'll be competitive to get one.

The problem that many low income families have is that both parents are working all the hours God sends, and therefore they can't cover the extra holidays that the private schools have. 13 weeks' holiday for maintained schools, 18 weeks for most private schools. How on earth do you find and pay for childcare for that?