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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Pre prep private schools apps for single mum

27 replies

Elkalv · 18/07/2017 01:46

Hi, I am a single parent and would lie to apply to few good prep private schools. Do you know I will be at disadvantage as a single parent to get the place there?

OP posts:

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Wishforsnow · 18/07/2017 01:57

Won't make a difference being single or not.

redcaryellowcar · 18/07/2017 02:02

Don't think it will matter at all.

RedSkyAtNight · 18/07/2017 07:50

I am hoping that "lie" is a typo for "like". I don't think lying to get in, is a good plan.

Hoppinggreen · 18/07/2017 07:56

If you've got the money they won't care about your domestic arrangements

PotteringAlong · 18/07/2017 07:57

They only care about the cash!

millsbynight · 18/07/2017 08:18

As long as you can afford the fees they don't give a fuck

flowery · 18/07/2017 08:26

Why would they be interested in your relationship status?

Original poster

Elkalv · 18/07/2017 11:17

Yes lie is actually like, I am talking about competitive schools that say they are non selective , but you need to fill in app forms from birth.

OP posts:

DIYNOVICE · 18/07/2017 11:22

Competitive schools but non selective? doesn't one drive another?
In any case, no being single won't count against you, BUT you are right about the fact these schools do like the traditional mum, dad scenario but most realise now that is not the case and if they want to keep their numbers up best to keep their noses out of people's personal business.

dinkystinky · 18/07/2017 11:25

If you can afford the fees they couldn't care less about your marital status.

CruCru · 18/07/2017 11:53

Where are you? Are you talking about schools that you need to register with from birth?

CruCru · 18/07/2017 12:31

Thinking about this a bit more, is it that the application forms have sections for both parents to fill in and sign? I can see why this would concern you, OP, but there are definitely single parents at my son's prep school. I wouldn't assume that it will count against you if you leave the "father" section blank.

Original poster

Elkalv · 19/07/2017 01:41

Hi Crucru, yes that's what I am talking about. I asked the father of my dc to put himself on birth certificate but he is still saying he needs time to think and he needs paternity test etc and I don't think he will do. Or at least not now. (( I hope at least it won't affect my little one so early in life(

OP posts:

ProjectGetThroughTheDay · 19/07/2017 03:00

The only issue I can think of is where one parent has a completely different view of what is the appropriate educational environment for their child and is flexing their muscles legally. I have seen this with a friend who had to get a court order for her child to go to a particular school. However hopefully this does not apply to you 😊

Whinberry · 19/07/2017 08:13

I think private schools are keen to have both parents sign the application forms so they can chase both of them for cash.

Lonecatwithkitten · 19/07/2017 08:51

No disadvantage at all. I have found that both at prep and senior they have been very helpful and accommodating. Though I use an all girls school that runs to 18, so as a successful business woman I am very much someone the school is keen to have as part of it's community.

NancyJoan · 19/07/2017 08:56

I work in a prep school, we have plenty of pupils with single parents, two mums, two dads etc. We really, really don't care, and neither do any of the other children.

CruCru · 19/07/2017 09:40

Well, if he's not prepared to go on the birth certificate, chances are he won't be prepared to challenge your choice of school. Can you afford pre prep / prep school on your own? Sorry, I know it's quite an impertinent question.

BubblesBuddy · 19/07/2017 10:45

I know loads of parents who were lone parents at prep schools and senior schools. Just honestly look at your finances and take it from there. Whether one or two people have the money: no-one cares. Quite often it is a grandparent who pays if parents cannot afford it.

AnotherNewt · 19/07/2017 11:23

Very few schools require a birth registration. But for popular 'first come first served' schools, you do need to register in the first months of life (especially if you want them to start in nursery).

For competitive schools, it can either be the case that all those who register by the deadline are assessed. Others have a ceiling for the number they will assess, so still worth getting in early.

There will be no disadvantage for a prospective pupil because they have a lone parent. There might be disadvantage if there are two parents with PR who do not agree if the application should proceed.

Sunnyshores · 19/07/2017 11:39

Of course it shouldnt matter, but Im afraid to say in some 'better' in their opinionover subscribed schools this sort of nonsense and where Daddy went to school, still does have an effect . Hopefully youre not applying for one of these anyway.

SpiderManTheChicken · 19/07/2017 22:41

They only care about the cash!

Not to be rude, but the comments about if you have money they don't care, is not entirely true, DS has just completed his first year at Garden House School and they did ask a lot of questions about our family background before accepting him, as well as the other Prep Schools we applied for, it is not ALWAYS a case of having the funds.

I know of a family who's children were not given a place because they could not declare where their financial earnings were coming from.

runningyogabooze · 19/07/2017 22:44

That sounds weird Spiderman. You're asked to say where you got your money to pay the fees?

Really??? Sounds highly unlikely to me.

SpiderManTheChicken · 19/07/2017 22:58

It may sound highly unlikely to you, but what I've shared is the truth, although her child wasn't given a place in that particular school, they were offered a place in another school.

If certain prep schools did not ask certain questions, they'd be accepting a lot of dirty/illegal money.

AnotherNewt · 20/07/2017 08:32

Garden House school may be a bit of an outlier (its fees are bout £2k more a term than is typical of London - they were at £7k a term when others were at the £5k point).

Yes, schools routinely ask for parents' occupations. They want to have some idea that you are good for the fees at least at the outset.

Being a lone parent really isn't the issue. Anything that suggests you might be That Family probably is. Not saying that's what they thought of you, SpiderMan because they also have to reject families who they'd be perfectly happy to see in the school simply because of over-subscription.

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