Schools that offer bursaries at prep (single parent) - London and SE

[WinterSuny]

Seeking advice from wise Mumsnetters please..

Am a recently single parent to a DS whom is in Yr 1 at a good pre prep in SW London. His fees were paid by ex h and self. DS is v academic (working beyond expected level and on level 12 Oxford owl books)but also shy and can get very anxious in new situations/people.

There have been issues of DA with ex h - long story but involving coercive control. I have a lives with order for our DS

Essentially,ex h is likely to refuse to contribute to ds school fees going forward so I am hoping to fund his education going forward to a prep by bursary. I don’t expect to get 100% as earn above average. Have also considered moving to 11+ areas for grammar school exams

Any tips on which schools might be offering bursaries and would suit DS? I have been going through the good schools guide and individual school websites but am overwhelmed by it ! I don’t drive either so would need to live in an area with good public transport and town/city vibe.

thank you

@LondonGirl83 I earn below £100k but would be classed as a relatively high earner across the board . I would not expect to receive a 100% bursary snd take your point regarding these going to the most in need . Agree that scholarships may be the way to go

@Fireandflight yes would like to try for grammars at secondary level -would save me from a whole world of pain from ex. Thing is that I’m not sure how academic DC will be compared to his peers st 11+ and need to look at Kent /Sutton/bucks…keen not to go too far out of London as a single parent which no support network as I don’t drive either.

A neighbours' son sat for Whitgift 10+. He got a place but no scholarship. (I appreciate this is different from a bursary). He's expecting a place at one of the Sutton grammars. It's a popular school that still has high competition.

I would also explore state schools. There are some that are just juniors, so a natural new start. Although many give priority to a linked infant school.

What is the criteria for a Bursary please? In a similar situation with my slightly older child

Can he sing? Choristerships usually already have reduced fees and get topped up by bursaries if needed. There are 3 choir schools in Oxford, 2 in Cambridge, plus the well known London ones. From year 3. It's of course a hell of a job to earn ones fees that way.

Have you spoken to your present school Loads? Many schools have hardship funds to help existing families when they fall on hard times. Otherwise, loads of prep schools - like secondaries -- have extremely low thresholds for bursaries. Many have thresholds that are shockingly in line with free school meals. Very expensive boarding schools like Eton have a threshold of 80k/annum. They also take into account any assets and could require equity release from your main residence. It's very, very difficult to get a bursary as a higher earner. There are many people who earn too much for a bursary but too little to pay the fees. Apart from singing for his fees, another option would be for you to become a teacher at a prep school, as staff often get a huge discount. You might get housing, too, so could sell your house to pay secondary fees, and your teacher salary would be below many bursary thresholds for secondaries.

Ignore the 'Loads' 😶

If you could commute to work easily from Amersham I would move there with a view to your son attending Dr Challoners which is one of the top grammar schools in the country.

@3WildOnes yes that is one option I have in mind, along with moving closer to Kent or Slough for access to grammars. I need to get to the City for work. I need to go and look at these schools/areas as I have never been (I’m from elsewhere in the U.K.) and don’t drive either.

was looking at Chesham prep snd the Beacon school in this regard - both seem to do bursaries at y3 entry

@NellyBarney thank you! No he doesn’t sing and neither is he sporty, he is just very bright and enjoys school work/learning (for now anyway). I do earn below the Eton threshold you mentioned. Boarding not an option for various reasons.

@NellyBarney - fees for his present school are being paid

Maybe you just need to accept that you can’t afford a private school in or near London. Most scholarships only cover 10/20% of fees and a bursar will take into account yours and his father’s salary plus assets.

@fruitbrewhaha might be the case. But I probably can with careful financial planning plus a bursary/scholarship. What his father is willing to contribute is anyone’s guess (he paid towards private schooling for 2 of his 3 children from prenups marriage) and due to his abusive behaviour, I won’t be asking him at this time.

You should look at Beckenham. I have friends that live there and its fast City Thames Link trains into the City (36 minutes from Beckenham Hill Station) and direct trains into Bickley and Orpington for grammar schools. St Olaves Grammar school is one of the top grammars in the country. Beckenham has good state primary schools and affordable prep schools like Bickley Park School are reasonably close by. I don't have personal experience of the school but it has good leaver destinations and unusually offers scholarships to boys who do very well on the entrance exam (rather than bursaries).

It might be an option worth exploring if you think your son might qualify for a scholarship there and it keeps options open for secondary (scholarship / bursary to private) or the Kent grammars.

I hope this helps. I really feel for you as its a difficult situation.

www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/where-to-live/living-in-beckenham-area-guide-to-homes-schools-and-transport-a129296.html

This is a good profile-- it's got a decent high street with a Waitrose and M&S as well as independent shops and restaurants and lots of parks and green spaces. I hope this helps.

@LondonGirl83 thank you so much, really appreciate this.
i think I’ve narrowed down my areas to Bucks/Sutton/Kent/Slough for access to grammars (and cheaper preps) for the time being. I’m not from SE so will have to spend some time visiting these places.

Beckenham is technically greater London but essentially is Kent. You should definitely include it on your short list if budget allows as its best of both worlds.