I can't afford private schools!

[fishwithanoseee]

My neice, who I now have full responsibility for, is so clever and is going to high school next year. I really want to do the best I can for her, and there is this amazing public school near here. They do do scholarships I think, but I dont want to get her hopes up. What should I do!?!

this may sound obvious, but all i'd say is that you can do no better that to check the ofsted reports and visit the schools. they should have open days coming up during the next 6 weeks or so.

many independent schools do have bursaries and scholarships, though they are few and far between and very hard fought.

you may also want to consider applying for one of the top state schools. from my experience, many of them produce better academic results that many private schools. im not saying that state schools are better overall, but i wouldnt write them off too easily.

Some girls had full scholarships at my daughter's school. Definitely write to them and some charities like the Sutton Trust put children through a few years of prep school so they can then be prepared for and sit for exams at 13 for schools thereafter that they're funded at.

I might be a little late in this thread..but we have just bit the bullet and sent our G&T (known IQ of 150+)daughter to a private school 35 mins from home after watching her 'tread water' for six weeks in a state reception class.
we are not wealthy, but consider education and the welfare of our children the pinnacle importance as a parent {smile}

I did not go to a private school and educationally and in terms of deportment people are convinced that I did. A high percentage of the girls that went to the local private school ended up getting pregnant at 16. It was as though they had money so they didn't have to bother. I know a lot of very damaged people that went to public school(especially boarders).
A lot of who I am came from home and not from school. I did have private lessons in two subjects as my mother did not think my school teachers were adequate. I have 12 GCSE's, 3 A-Levels and a Degree. I will say that I went to a good state school in a quiet town but I don't always agree that you only get a good education from private school. Also, it is absolutely terrible for a child to go to private school when their parents can barely afford it. It is awful for them to be the poorest child in school. They will never be able to fit in with those who have been to Dubai in the half term, skiing at Christmas etc. Unless they are academically brilliant they will probably have a hard time.
Public school does bring your child connections and may help their prospects in future but I know several people who have been to public school - Beneden, Channings etc and they have achieved very little in adult life and are constantly in therapy.
I am not against public school, I just don't think that you should give up on state schools as they are not as bad as you may think.

FWIW I was almost certain that I wanted my very able child to go into private education but after speaking to so many others (already at PS or having removed their DC to state) I have decided to wait.

If a child is bright they will succeed and do well anyway. I now supplement Dc learning by allowing DC to learn new things (muscial instruments, etc) this keeps them learning new skills. If I feel they arent beening challenged enough I go to see the school or teacher.

Its such a tricky one, kids can be very cruel and I do agree the the PP about the child not fitting in. skiing, long hot summers on the boat etc it would certainly be a factor especially with girls!

I went to boarding school on a scholarship and bursery. I would bear in mind that she may encounter some - um - social difficulties, if it is a very expensive school and the other pupils know she is on a scholarship.

Fish, you need to look at all the available local schools. If she is looking to apply for next September then you may have missed some of the state school application dates which could cause you a problem. Nevertheless look at all the schools and then decide on which would suit your neice the best. You'll need to take admission criteria into account - have you got a chance on the state school admissions still, and if you're looking at private you may want to get her to sit a couple of practice entrance papers (assuming that the schools that you determine to be best for her include private selective schools). Contact the school and investigate what the scholarships are based on. Get copies of the papers etc.

Also be aware that private school clientele have changed a lot over the last 20 years, so don't base too much on past experience - times change.Many schools have means-tested bursaries - one of our local schools (which is one of the best in the country) has fees of £12k per year, but 55% of pupils have some reduction via bursary or scholarship.

If there is one particular school you are looking at, it may also be worth starting a thread asking for info on that school. Despite the constant state/private debates that flare up on here from time to time there are a large number of MNers using private schools.

kikki, depends on the school. I think places like Manchester Grammar and also North London Collegiate where one of my daughters went which have a lot of very clever children whose parents are immigrants who run local newsagents but value education etc etc and many are there with help adn the tehos is not rich and posh are a good environment whereas boarding schools where you can get in if you're a bit thick but rich, with few poor people there and where the rather stupid chidlren don't have the class to refrain from showing off about skiing etc is not such a good place.

I've said it before on these threads: I was a straight A student in a very bog standard school. It didn't do me any harm and in fact I feel that my social skills benefited massively from getting on with people from all backgrounds.
Have confidence in your niece to fly wherever she goes to school and spend any spare money you have on nice holidays and experiences for her.