Bursary advice

[Katy55]

Hi
We desperately want our daughters to go to a specific prep school, we could afford (just) one set of fees but not 2. I have contacted the school again (we’ve previously been in contact and I am an ex pupil, I was honest a couple of years ago and said we couldn’t afford it) and asked about their bursary criteria and have a meeting with the headmaster next week. I’ve made it quite clear we wouldn’t be able to do it without a significant bursary. We are not very low income - £90k pa but with Max fees for 2 coming out at £37k pa there is no way we could ever afford it no matter how you do the sums. We do own our small house but with limited equity, we have no other assets or savings, no luxury cars or holidays. I feel like we’re ideal candidates especially as we have said we’ll pay for one but at the same time does my husbands income rule us out for a bursary? He obviously pays a huge amount of tax so any expendable that could go on school fees wouldnt ever cover 2 sets. I have really set up a small business so have some additional income but very small. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

Well you can ask , and they might say yes, or they might say no. A lot depends on whether they think your children will be value for money for the school, I am not sure they give bursaries openhandedly to people who think they are “ideal” candidates, they could also factor in exceptional academic ability , musical or sporting prowess or other abilities that will bring kudos to the school. Do either of your daughters fit any of those criteria?

I obviously wouldn’t tell them I thought we were ideal candidates! My eldest daughter is y2 so still young but very bright. My youngest daughter is only reception age so still very young. I know we may need to wait till they are older.

And yes like you said all you can do is ask, that’s why I’ve taken the plunge this week! Hopefully they can offer more insight when we meet - they haven’t asked for any financial info as yet so might be a non starter

Try but also dont build your hopes up too much
If your State Primary is ok then it would be better to save for Secondary in case it’s necessary

Our school would look at household income. It's essentially means tested.
The bursary is supposed to help those from poorer backgrounds and give them the opportunity to access independent education. Often these kids might be academic high achievers or some sort of musical/sports/arts talent etc.

Not for someone with a high income who wants to spend beyond their means...

But, apply,they can only say no I suppose.

Thanks. Surely anyone not able to pay for it themselves is spending beyond their means? Our only big expense (other than mortgage) would be sending the other one. It’s not a case of we can’t afford it as not wanting to we just Physically wouldn’t have it. But yes we’ve started the process of asking!

Always worth asking but you will have to fill out detailed application. With many schools now it is strictly means tested so they can demonstrate their charitable status. Many are not really interested in high earners with high outgoings as it doesn't fit with widening access.

In our school really the only people who get full or substantial bursaries are single parent families or 2 parent families on a low income. That would tend to be household income under 60k. Over that and it would be much more minimal fee reduction like 10-20%.

@Katy55

Thanks. Surely anyone not able to pay for it themselves is spending beyond their means? Our only big expense (other than mortgage) would be sending the other one. It’s not a case of we can’t afford it as not wanting to we just Physically wouldn’t have it. But yes we’ve started the process of asking!

Are you actually really this clueless or was this just a thoughtless comment?

Can you honestly not see the difference between a higher rate tax payer who can't afford private school fees for two children and one earning minimum wage?

No I’m not clueless but we are specifically talking about the affordability of private school fees, nothing else. And in that circumstance it is out of reach for many more people than just those on minimum wage.

Very very few prep schools offer bursaries from reception. Those that do have bursaries usually use them to support children already at the school whose parents suffer a significant change in income levels through unexpected redundancy or a bereavement. Some schools offer scholarships from Year 3 in key areas which are then “topped up” with a bursary.

I know what you are saying about affordability BUT school fees are expensive and the great majority can’t afford them. You are not unique or hard done by. You just don’t have enough money so why should the school subsidise your children to attend above others? At such a young age then I would say the family connection is probably the only reason you might be considered.

You do have a very high combined income so I would be prepared for your outgoings and lifestyle to be scrutinised in great detail. At our school you would be very politely told that you don’t meet the criteria for a bursary and if you can’t afford it without then you can’t have a place. You are doing the right thing in asking but do be prepared for a negative response.

Also think about where your children are going at 11 because if you can’t afford prep then you can’t afford private secondary school. What are your local state schools like?

I secured one for my child in year 1 but she only got it purely based on her academic ability.

Is the school you looking at a primary and secondary right through until gcse? If so then it's a big ask as looking at another 11 years at least for you youngest.

But all you can do is apply, fill out the bursary forms and see what they come back with.

Good luck

Thanks - I don’t think we’re hard done by or different to anyone else, I just would like them to go there, can’t afford it and they offer bursaries so no harm in applying right? The idea is we would pay for my youngest and ask for a bursary for my eldest. Defo prepared for a a negative response I know it’s highly optimistic but I guess it’s nothing ventured nothing gained.
We’re in an area with excellent grammar schools so that would be the ideal next step. Unfortunately we’ve been left really disappointed in current primary school so it’s trying to find a solution at the moment. We’re looking at all options.
I by no means think we’re unique and don’t think I’ve implied that - just came for any insights people may have. Thanks for your input x

In my experience bursaries at that level on income tend to be pretty small eg 10% reduction.

37k for 2 are pretty heavy prep fees.

Could you get a better paid job? The small business sounds like a bit of indulgence unless you expect to be able to grow it very quickly. Could you release some of the equity in your home to pay the other set of fees? Are there grandparents who could help?

But to be honest I would say if you can not afford private easily I would stick with the state sytem for both children. Life will be much easier and you can use the money saved on fees to provide extra curriculars etc. For children with educated, supportive parents the difference between state and private is minimal in R to Y6.

And normally they expect both parents to work

Hi OP
I can only speak for the school my daughter is at. Most of their bursaries are given to kids who parents circumstances change. They will never throw a kid out based on their parents not being able to pay their school fees. Bursaries are only given on music and academics.

My word of warning (which you possible won’t want!) think carefully about the lifestyle of the private school. It’s not only the tuition fees, but all the others that go with it (skiing, ballet, musical instruments etc etc). We have three in private. It’s a stretch.

I think you chose to have two children rather than to use this type of school. Very few people can have everything they want, you have made a direct choice between two things you wanted: a second child and prep school education. Chances are you will have to live with that choice now.

You can ask though.

You can but ask. Our prep school offers them therefore they have to be given to someone. Why not you? Ours it’s not the headmaster but it’s the owners of the school who give them out so worth investigating the process

I would investigate state schools also.

@minniebin

And normally they expect both parents to work

Crikey I thought the small business was on top of a full time job. Work full time OP. Your income can just be used to cover the care then education of DD2.

Oh I may have misunderstood I assumed it was just the DH that worked as OP referred to husbands income & huge tax burden.

I don't think the OP works from her posts. She talks about her husband's income and the huge amount of tax he pays.

I rather think that if she thinks 90k is 'not very low income', she needs to find some friends who earn nearer the average to give her a bit of a reality check.

That said, I do appreciate that is not megabucks in London but most parents can't afford for one parent to stay home and start a small business that doesn't make much.

Private school is out of the reach of over 90% of the UK's population. There is nothing unusual or terribly unfortunate about state school.

I think that bursaries are generally given only due to a change of circumstances. I worked full time, and was a completely single parent with zero maintenance from DD's father, and she'd been at the school for several years (only two to go) when I lost my job, no warning. I said immediately that I would have to remove her from the school and was offered a partial bursary for which I was extremely grateful.

I think it's very unlikely that a bursary would be granted from the outset, unless a child has outstanding ability in a musical or sporting field.

I know it’s not low income. My youngest hasn’t started school yet so I’ve been a SAHM but I work 30 plus hours a week on my business. So I do work it’s just relatively new so the earning power isn’t there yet. It’s not an indulgence it’s building something for our future.
Look I don’t think I’m entitled to anything, they offer bursaries and have suggested a meet so I don’t see harm in going. I’m not refusing to sacrifice something instead of paying school fees we just wouldn’t have it, as you said they are very expensive. But bursaries exist, I’m not suggesting a new concept! If it’s a no go then at least I know we tried.
I have friends who earn far less and friends who earn a bit more. I don’t need a reality check I feel we’re very lucky to have that kind of income but it still doesn’t stretch to the astronomical schools fees! I’m not saying woe is me it’s just a fact. Hence the bursary option.

Someone mentioned grandparents and I have heard this - any idea how that’s assessed? My parents are quite well off but have made it clear that they wouldn’t be paying towards school fees. We have never had financial assistance from them. My mum has Parkinson’s and any pot that existed is now being put aside for her care.

@lazylockdowner

I secured one for my child in year 1 but she only got it purely based on her academic ability.

Is the school you looking at a primary and secondary right through until gcse? If so then it's a big ask as looking at another 11 years at least for you youngest.

But all you can do is apply, fill out the bursary forms and see what they come back with.

Good luck

Thank you - no it’s just prep so until 13