school registrar wants a home visit

10 replies

Malkaperlichka · 30/01/2009 23:30

My Dd sat entrance exams at a selective prep. primary school. The registrar and another representative from the scolarship/bursary comitee want to see our home under a predtext that it should be suitable for study. What should I expect. I have applied for a means tested bursary. Would they be looking at our lifestyle too?

OP posts:

WobblyPig · 30/01/2009 23:35

How cheeky. If your home is not ' suitable for study' there are libraries. I have no experience of anything like this but I think that is outrageous.

scrooged · 30/01/2009 23:38

No no no! You have applied for help with the fees so they will be looking at whether you are minted and are trying to pull a fast one. 'If you have a big house then you could release equity rather then ask us' sort of thing, they will look at your car/cars etc.

Litchick · 31/01/2009 08:33

They want to check that you are under the threshold as you say you are and not actually minted but conveniently 'between jobs.' They may also want to discuss other things with you such as whether you can push to the extras and uniform or if you'll need help with that too.
Don't worry - schools actively want to give their bursaries away. They are on your side.

LIZS · 31/01/2009 08:39

I'd think twice about the school ethos tbh if they can't even be open about what they are coming for. Yes they are doing a check that your circumstances are really as you have described and may ask to see statements and bills.

Has she passed the exam and got a place, with your acceptance subject to the bursary? I wouldn't entertain them unless you have it in writing that she had. Is this the same one you've been posting about before, with the checkered history ?

Original poster

Malkaperlichka · 31/01/2009 22:12

We haven't got the exam results yet, but she said that the visit was part of the scolarship requirements. Does this mean that Dd has passed? I have already submitted statements, accounts, mortgage... together with the application. Would they ask me to sell my house? With today's prices, there would not be too much equity left.

OP posts:

LIZS · 01/02/2009 09:24

sorry sounds like a load of pap, she's only 7 isn't she ? Scholarships do not require a home assessment, means tested bursaries might but they should be clear. They could ask you to remortgage to release any equity.

Can you not just ask if she has the offer of a place or not. Seems pointless to go through all this unless she has, whether you are able/wish to take it up or not. If she got a scholarship but no bursary, what then ?

mumoverseas · 01/02/2009 09:29

agree with what Lizs has said, sounds like a bloody cheek as well.
My DS had a scholarship (and bursary) at his old prep school when he was 7 and although they asked a few questions about mine and my ex-H's finances they did not request a home visit.
DS has just got another scholarship at a sixth form college for A levels in September and no suggestion of home visit or even form filling ref our finances.

violethill · 01/02/2009 16:43

Bloody cheek and would have me running a mile

BonsoirAnna · 01/02/2009 16:45

Agree with scrooged.

If they are bothering with the home visit, your DD is in with a very good chance of bursary.

Just go along with it.

DesperateHousewifeToo · 01/02/2009 21:10

I agree that they would not be planning a home visit unless your dd had a very good chance of being offered the bursery.

I wouldn't view it as suspicious. They are just checking where their money is being offered.

Flip