7+ Bursary entry

[ilikehoney]

Hi All,

We're thinking of applying for 7+ Bursary for a few private schools that offer it.
We won’t be getting a tutor, rather all DIY.

We've made one query with one school and already registered for 7+ , bursary form to go in closer to deadline (DD is only 4,) We'll contact each school long before we apply.

We're hoping to start prepping in Y1 (when I say start, I mean tutor specifically for 7+) We already read with her every day and between playgrounds and playdates, we do visit art galleries and museums, go to child friendly concerts of all types, theatre, discuss the world, science, do counting and simple maths etc. She's even learning words in French, learning Yoga and fun piano lessons for 4-year-olds.

We both work in a part of the Arts that traditionally is low paid but personally 'rewarding'. Our household income is 65K, which I know for Mumsnet makes us poor as church mice. Our salaries should improve over the years, but without a bursary we won’t go into private, as it's a money pit and you need all the help one can get unless you have substantial wealth.

We'd only sit DD if we were satisfied, she showed well above promise for these selective schools (at 4, who knows?) Of course, she'll have to be up for it herself.

We intend to use Bond books and Schofield and Sims from around Spring term Y1. Ive searched 7+ bursary on MN and not a huge amount, and a lot of it from over 5 years ago. Of course a lot on google, but asking here:

Can anyone advise other books, please?

Can’t advise on specific books - though you seem to be doing everything right already. Just keep reading to and with - without pressure.

But I highly doubt you’d get any significant bursary for prep school fees with over £65k income. Unless full boarding and compelling need - which isn’t what you’ve indicated. With that amount of income no one would believe you can’t make choices about how you spend your money. And bursaries are for people who really can’t choose to juggle their lifestyle to find the fees.

I have recent knowledge and experience of this route at prep and senior level. You may well qualify at senior level where the fees are significantly higher.

Thanks @TottersBlankly

The school is City Junior School in London, I should have mentioned.

Their website states:
A family with two children on a joint after-tax income of £55,000 per annum or less, with limited assets, would be eligible to be considered for a full bursary equivalent to 100% of fees

We know 100% bursary is unlikely, (or any bursary, given there are more needy kids out there !!) we're hoping for some help, as in London our income is too "low" to comprehend paying £7,295 per term, with housing costs, etc.

Its all a long shot and a dream scenario rather than something we are banking on.

We like the look of the City school, like the way its mixed to 11 and then splits into established single sex schools with excellent reps. AS I said, its early days with DD, she may be totally unsuitable for academic school like this anyway!

CGP books are a good place to go to consolidate learning.

Supporting your child to be an enthusiastic learner. Supporting growth of emotional intelligence too. Holding back on pressure/don’t want to cause anxiety and then it’ll all backfire. I have a friend this happened to and she had to take her child crying out of the car to do the exam.