bursaries

[alann]

Hi new to this site and wonder if anyone has experience of the bursary procedure for private school. I've read that awards are given purely on financial need but surely the school will favour those kids who do best inthe entrance exams? Welcome any comments

Thanks.

Depends on the school. Here is the "system" for a school in my area:www.olcs.leics.sch.uk/policies/policies%202010/Bursaries%20and%20Assisted%20Places%20Policy%20review %20March%202011.pdf

They are discretionary and usually limited in number so schools may well determine who to offer on basis of those who meet the financial criteria also achieving certain academic standards.

Thanks for your comments, any information on this is useful as I don't want to put my son through the trauma of an entrance test if it wasn't going to have much weighting towards the bursary decision.

HI - we are in the final round of a 50 - 95% bursary award at the moment.
I wouldn't say we were on the bread-line, and were suprised we got through the financial criteria.
We still may not be offered a bursary, but it would be worth putting an application in - you never know! And at worst, they will say 'no thanks'.

Bursary's are normally given for those children who will benefit from the particular school and be an asset to the school, and without a bursary would be unable to attend the school.
As opposed to a scholarship which is for those children who are outstanding in a particular area, and regardless of parental income.
However you can have a scholarship and then a bursary on top.
If your ds doesn't perform great in the entrance test (of course if selective school he'll have to pass), it will be more how his interview goes, as to whether there is potential and a drive from your ds.
HTH>

Basically if you can afford the fees you won't get a Bursary. They are all means tested and that would include any assests like a 2nd house, cars, shares and savings - even if you pay alot into a pension that is all added up.

It is all very strictly checked as the Bursarys given out go towards proving their Charitable status. You will have to be prepared to declare every aspect of your financial situation.

In our school, if there are more applicants than bursaries available then they will be awarded according to exam position.So it's possible to lose out. I'm still not sure whether I think this is entirely fair but I'm sure most people would think it is.

Otherwise the actual bursary is totally dependent on your financial situation - nothing else.

Thank you for all your help.
campion - this process does make most sense to me and even if not widely advertised I'm sure will be used in many PS.

ohtobe4 - good luck with the bursary, when do you expect to get the final decision?

Thanks.
Early feb I think.
I believe the academic tests were fairly basic by what ds (7) says.
What I don't know is how many applicants are left after the two rounds so far.

ohtobe4 - hope its good news for you. My DS (11) sat his entrance test yesterday and didn't seem too phased by the 9.15 to 12.30 English and Maths exam but I don't know how many places are available. Should find out in two weeks if he is successful. However, still a little concerned that even if we are offered a bursary it may still not be enough. May be a really tough call as, not exactly being on the breadline ATM, with added school fees it will change our lifestyle dramatically and DS is not used to not having at least one decent holiday each year. Concerned how DS will cope with it all. I think this could be one of the most difficult parenting decisions I'll ever have to make.

Alann - exactly!
I know someone who haggled their bursary up! Don't know if I'm that confident though!!
Good luck with your decision making.