Bursary for primary age possible?

[katiewilde]

My dd year 1 is extremely bright, she attends a school with mixed classes so she's in a year 1/2 class and the teacher has told me she is top of the class overall, she's amazing at maths and already working in year 3 level, good reader and loved science, geography and history also and laps up as much as she can

My question is is it possible to get a bursary for a independent school at primary age or is it only possible when they get to secondary age?

Obviously at this stage I'm only looking into it and wondering, I know lots of people think there child is gifted and clever when they are just average so i would obviously discuss this with her school etc before I did anything

We did. For an independent prep. Tiny school...I enrolled her in the school as a paying student and then when it became clear at the end of year 2 that we could not sustain things due to changes in our employment, I spoke to the head and she arranged an almost full bursary.

The best thing is to speak to the schools you're considering. Some only consider bursaries for current students at primary level though. But to be honest OP...if she's that bright, I'd consider keeping her in state until she's ready to sit exams at 10-11 and get her a scholarship for secondary.

You can always try to pay a tutor.

Thank you for your reply, sadly I couldn't afford to pay for her (single parent, teaching assistant salary and no dad on the scene)

I think my biggest worry is she won't be pushed maybe that's not the right word she won't be challenged where she is, even though they have told me how bright she is they are still just giving her the usual work that year 1's do, her maths is adding to 20, and she already knows a lot of her times tables (2.3,4,5,6,10) can add and subtract 3 digit numbers in her head etc she isn't even on the right reading level and only read to a adult last term once

Obviously a tutor is something I'm happy to look at though not sure if it's to early and I should wait till year 3/4 for that And will apply for secondary was just wondering if it would be possible earlier

Oh goodness! I could have sworn I posted on this thread yesterday. Clearly fell asleep before pressing 'Post'.

It definitely is possible to secure bursaries for primary (prep) school - but they are very few and far between. You really would need to focus on applying only to those schools that have an established policy. Bursaries and scholarships may only be offered in years 5/6 for awards till the end of year 8. And the most generous are probably for boarding preps, where a scholarship and bursary combined might equal 100% of fees. Inevitably boys' schools are generally richer than girls' schools - with consequently more money available to spend in this way.

You need to read a lot of school websites, OP. And then follow up with phone calls to any schools that are clear in what they offer, look suitable for your child, and, crucially, that seem financially viable in the long term. (Don't get taken in by struggling institutions desperate to offer anything to add to their numbers.)

It isn't much use detailing your child's adding and subtracting here! Each school will have its own entrance / exam process - and they should be keen to talk you through both the timetable and what to prepare for.

Its possible. One of the local prep schools where I live offer bursaries for entry to year 3. Its called Rosemead and sends a lot of children to top senior schools (obtaining all sorts of scholarships). Most top senior schools also offer full bursaries or partial bursaries topped up with academic, art, music scholarships etc.

Where in the country are you? Someone might be able to come by with some specific recommendations as there are a number of prep schools that offer needs based financial assistance.

I should have added that Rosemead's award is based on results on the Year 3 entrance exam called the 7+. Even if your DD is very bright, she'd need to prepare or it as in her current primary school they probably won't cover all the material needed. You don't need a tutor though. You can prep for it yourself if you are confident enough with the material.

Thank you both were in Berkshire between Reading and Newbury, also close to Caversham and boarder of Oxfordshire

I know of a few school in our area though haven't looked into all yet but if you can offer any insight I would really appreciate it, obviously she's only year 1 so maybe not something I can look at until junior age but would definitely like to make enquiries
The abbey
Cranford House
St Andrews Pangbourne
St Joesph
Pangbourne college
Queen Annes
Caversham Prep
Leighton park
Oratory prep
Cross fields

You don't need to 'make enquires' at this stage. Not unless you've already thoroughly read their websites and online prospectuses. Then you can register at any that seem possible. Registration may cost a small amount - and does not involve any commitment at all; it simply means they'll keep you informed of dates and deadlines for the application process, including when and how to apply for bursaries.

Your daughter is very young still, but there's no harm in being well informed ahead of time.

As regards her not being pushed - just read with her. Read relentlessly. Make reading aloud to each other - and not just her school reading book, not even just children's books, one of your main sources of fun. Everything else will follow.

If the schools offer bursaries they are likely to mention it on their websites so I'd have a look there first. For instance, Caversham Prep off your list does.

www.cavershamschool.com/admissions/bursaries-scholarships

If you try to go for Year 3 entry (which is the most common next entry point for prep schools) you'll need to start preparing for the exams which the children sit fairly early in Year 2 typically.

Go through all the local schools that are a reasonable distance and see what they offer and check their entry procedures / registration dates etc and take it from there.

Are you thinking of applying for a bursery or scholarship - they are separate awards (although you can apply for both). The amount awarded depends on the school. All the info will be on individual school websites.

One of mine went to prep and no they didn’t give out bursaries at primary and every year there were a handful of year 1s reading classics and Harry Potter and strong at Maths. They are the ones who end up in the superselective schools but they are not all exceptional.
My DD knew all her time tables in Reception at state primary and used to be challenged by the Year 5s etc at lunch. She also read things like Secret Garden and taught herself to read age 3. She did get into two superselective grammar schools age 11 but I chose an independent co-Ed selective where she has multiple scholarships. No regrets so far, because she is clever it is good for her to be stretched sideways doing lots of music/drama/art/sports etc rather than just academics.
The problem in Year 1 is that there are lots of bright kids who are ahead and it is hard to tell who is really top of the top. My DD is clever but I would say 1 in 200 clever not 1 in 10,000. There is a boy at her school who is a genius and almost 2 years younger than her and sitting maths GCSE early. But his parents say they could be only tell age 8 onwards because he is just so interested in Maths and Music working things out for himself. For example, he will just sit and teach himself a new language online or self teach a new instrument etc. He did get a bursary to an independent prep, but it was boys only in Kent. He is on a full scholarship at a school that doesn’t normally give full scholarship so I think for a true genius it is possible.

Hi Katiewilde
Did you find any things out about bursaries for year 1,I am in exactly the same location as you x

Have been doing some research and best bet seems to be waiting until next year and sitting entrance exam for year 3 scholarships

Have to spoken to any schools yet? Which ones did you have in mind?

I have been looking at cranford house,it seems they do busaries from reception

I also like Cranford a lot, I did contact them but they didn't appear very forthcoming with bursaries for under year 3

I'm guessing the best time to look at contact schools will be in the autumn of year 2 ready for year 3 start

I just called them for my daughter as I also have a daughter in year 4 and they are full,so may look for year 7 intake instead and keep my younger at the school she is at currently which is a pretty good school in tilehurst

I'm still not sure if they have availability in younger years, seems very hard to get the info from them on if they have spaces, my dd is currently year 1

There are some very good schools in tilehurst might just on the outskirts

Caversham Preparatory School are currently offering bursaries for children to start in Year 1 in September 2021 as the cohort is small currently and lacking in girls and so they want to build it up. So I do think you are best to just ask - there is no harm in asking as the worst that can happen is you are told no.

Thank you I have applied there, unfortunately my child isn't year 1 though

Can’t help with advice on bursaries but if you do go for entrance exams at year 3, I really recommend the Bond practice books (they do maths, English and verbal and non verbal reasoning). I didn’t get a tutor for my two for the year 3 entrance exams, but I did make sure they had done a few of these papers (and were reliably getting the answers right!).

Oh and check websites for dates etc and go on open days (when they start back up again) for schools you are interested in. Round here the year 3 entrance exams tend to be in the January of Year 2 and open days are in the autumn term of year 2 - so I’d do some initial research this year.

in my experience most prep schools will only offer scholarships at year 3 and you can really only expect a 10% discount. You then need to factor in costs such as uniform. Fill bursaries are few and far between and only for the truly exceptional. You may not agree with the independent system but, ultimately, it serves those who can pay for it - it's not a 'right' no matter how bright your child is.

You mentioned that you are a TA so you must be well informed as to how to support your DD and extend her - yes the state school won't have as few children per class (IMO the only thing worth paying for) but you can provide the daily reading, sports, extra curricular etc.

As all above, depends on the school you're looking at. My eldest is gifted and the (state) primary were fantastic, midway through year 1, unprompted, they gave us a plan as to how they would keep challenging him - it involved him having an individual timetable which included sitting in the older classes to join in their subject time among other things. Can her current school do something like this?

For us though it was far more important for our son to catch up on the things he wasn't keen on or where he wasn't as confident. It didn't make sense to us to push him even further ahead when he already was, and to take him away from his peer group. It seemed he couldn't relate to other kids at the time, but any kind of running around or sports he hated (suppose he couldn't see the point).

The school were really surprised but it has done him the world of good. We've never taken an interest in his academics and do not push him at all- he's never had a tutor and doesn't need it. He's year 7 now in an excellent state school and still flying- we're discussing him sitting GCSEs year 9, if he wants to.

Your daughter is still so young and no doubt she is talented! Bt does she really need an independent school, or a better plan from her current school?

@De88 could you please tell us when that took place about your DS? Is it recent?

[quote QwertyGirly]@De88 could you please tell us when that took place about your DS? Is it recent?[/quote]
Hi @QwertyGirly
He's year 7 now- so would have been 2014/15.

Schools may give bursaries even if they do not advertise it for primary school pupils. It is worth approaching schools you think may be a good fit for your child .