Scholarships aren't really real, are they?

[IncognitoSchoolGateMum]

DH keeps going on about trying to send DD1 to a private school. They is no way on earth that we could afford the fees - DH works and I am about to try work again after a serious illness, but we are still some way from being able to pay our own bills without help from benefits. I can't see any situation (bar lottery wins etc) where we could afford fees for one child, never mind both of them.

DD1 is in reception, and fairly bright (I think she is mostly 1 to 2 years ahead, but I suspect that is more down to circumstance) but also a funny little thing, and I worry about her in a large class. DH is however convinced that she is some kind of child genius, and any school would fall over themselves to have her. I am pretty sure that she would do well in an old fashioned style of school - she loves sitting down and writing, and has a relatively good grasp of things like history and science (well, for a four year old - again, she is hardly likely to be taking her GCSEs in primary school or anything). She also LOVES strict rules and structure, which don't seem to be a feature of her reception class, although I do know that is fairly normal.

I think DH is mostly a bit alarmed at the fact that, after going in to school to read a few times, it seems that most of the class haven't been read to much at home, and the books at school are awful (even my sister, who is a teacher in a really deprived area, was shocked at the state and quality of the books sent home).

Help me to tell him it is a daft idea please!

Tell him to invest his energy into your DD's school. He could join the PTA and raise money for books, or become a governor. I'm sure his bad case of PFBness with ease off a bit by then.

Your DD sounds lovely, but very similar to a few of the girls in DS1's reception class.

I don't think you can tell that sort of thing in year R. As you say, at year R level there's more than a certain amount of circumstances.

Realistically, not many school have more than token scholarships, however, some have bursaries that are means tested and may go up to 100%.

Dd1 sat a scholarship exam last year for senior school, they awarded her 50% off, but when we looked at it we still couldn't afford it, particularly with 2 more children after her. Despite being very bright, and also doing several extra-curricular activities to a good standard, they still couldn't offer more than that.

Point out to your dh that he'll probably feel the same about #2. That was really the deciding factor for us. We could just about scrape it for dd1, but we couldn't afford even 50% each for 2 children, and we have three. It wouldn't be fair to do it for dd1 knowing that there was no way dd2 or ds could have the same.

It was a really hard decision for us, dd1's best friend, and possibly dd2's best friend will go there, and it would have suited both girls really well. If we came into some money, one of the first things I'd do would be to go back to the school and see if there were spaces. One of the times feel we've let the dc down.

Most schloarships these days are around 10-15%. There are brsaries, but they are extremely competitive and hard to get. Don't forget there are also all the extras like uniform, sports kit, clubs, music lessons, trips...it's a bloody fortune.

You would be much better off putting your energies into the existing school (as someone said) and using any spare money for extra curric and/or tuition. If she has good back up at home and lots of opportunities (that don't have to cost), she'll be fine.

Some schools do offer full-fees bursaries- but only the individual schools could advise you on that, and I've no idea how they would go about assessing your child to see if she would be eligible.

Go and see some schools, and see what they say (their websites will usually say if they offer bursaries or not).

There are lots of things you can do at home to encourage learing though- and judging by threads on MN even in fee-paying schools many reading books seem to be pretty dire

Are there any smaller, more traditional type LEA schools in your area at all(perhaps a smaller more rural school)?

My sister has gone to (secondary) Prep school on a 90% scholarship and has a grant to cover the rest of her fees, however it doesn't cover uniform which was about £500 in the end. It is also very very competitive to get a scholarship.

They are real - but rare before year 3. And as pointed out, they may have no cash value at all.

Bursaries are means tested (and typically re-awarded annually) and the process can be intrusive. Also thresholds and disregards vary between schools. You would need to check with the school what it is able to offer.

You also need to think about what education for both DCs. Even if you secured a bursary for one, there is no guarantee of getting one for the second (as the pot of money is finite, and may be totally committed by the time the second child is starting).

Might it be better to use your budget to provide other educational (in the broadest sense) activities outside school? Or save for private at a later point - there may be more bursaries available at year 7 (and at least fewer years to fund from the later date)?

OP it's a bursary you need, not a scholarship. The latter are just a token amount to recognise a particular skill...arts, sports, music etc.

Bursaries are given to pupils who cannot afford to attend but who the school want. The bursar will go through your finances and work out an appropriate percentage.

Often bursaries are not advertised as such (other than a small mention that they exist on the fee page of the website), you have to contact the bursar directly. But don't feel embarrassed to do so, this is all part of the bursar's job.