Independent schools while on UC

[Luluace]

Hi all,

I have have two boys (7 and 3) whom I would like to try for independent school. Youngest will be starting reception in Sept and he is a bright spark. Oldest also. There are a couple of schools I have looked into ( Dulwich prep/college and St Paul’s). I have seen that these schools offer scholarships/bursaries.
Recently been made homeless due to DV and have had to sign up for UC for the first time in my life, and so have missed and entrance exam assessments to schools. Has anyone had any chance of being offered a place after assessments and places offered? How straightforward with the school offering scholarship/bursary?
Specifically asking to those on UC or other benefits? How did you liaise with the school to inform them and how did they respond?

To those whose kids made enters to these schools, how was the process, especially if you are either on low income or on benefits?
What prep and for how long? I am not familiar with the system and just need to understand and both my kids will benefit from the challenge of private. State school my first was in never challenged him and they wanted every child to be on the same level which is impossible. A small class size is another thing of interest.

please advise/suggest.

The OP is the only one who can answer this question, simply by ringing the school and making enquiries.

It will either be "yes, you can apply" or "No" and that's that - if there is no prospect of a bursary the plan is dead in the water and she will have to go state until the next bursary admission round at say 7 or 11.

But until she rings the school, its all hypothetical.

After 150 replies I have no doubt the entire thread is grateful to you, @PropertyManager. None of the rest of us would ever have thought of that.

@Gruach I'm aware of that. I told her that Dulwich Prep usually do have vacancies in most year groups (unlike Dulwich College) so applying off cycle for one of their bursaries might be feasible even though she's missed the normal application cycle...

The same is true for Rosemead

Completely agree. Its not who you know for these particular Indy schools, it really is on merit a lot of the time. Yes at some Indy schools this will help but at the ones you mentioned it won't.

Just an update, both boys have been offered a place at one of the schools I enquired about with a full scholarship because they actually exceeded well above on their assessment. This was purely on the fact that that they did really well and the school saw that as they would have done with any other student. The assessment was not a breeze according to my 7yr old, but ok. There was space availability after being on a small waiting list. Yes, they did ask for their registration prior to anything. No special treatment or soppy story given. My receipt of UC hasn’t changed the tight system in place which all independent school (especially very competitive ones) operate by.
Whether your kids have had a formal assessment or not, as a parent, you know them best and know their potential without being pushy. Sad that there are still people who associate bright kids and parents who seek a better learning environment as “ losing their childhood “ or “pushy parents”. As parents we ought to know our kids best and your bank balance or circumstances shouldn’t be a determining factor. As a parent, I am my children’s best advocate. Certainly being on UC (temporarily) does not dictate your work ethic ( or lack of as some suggested) or stop you from aiming to always do the best for your kids. People are still ignorant out there on UC and it definitely showed on this thread by their shallowness and being judgemental. I will be catering for the other things the school won’t, but not unexpected and not deterring.

Thank you to those who were constructive and encouraging. This post will help someone in the future to not allow negative to shut down that small possibility. With the nurturing and stability they’ll receive in school, I can now focus on other things on the list. They have a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food to eat, regardless of it being temporary. They were my priority and they are certainly excited to say the least. I will however, continue to educate my kids in various areas of learning as I have been doing. Learning should never start or stop at school.

All the best to the one who finds this post helpful and just what they needed to read.
✌️

From having no clue about the system to two places with full scholarships less than two weeks later, despite the waiting lists and without having previously registered and all of this done over the Easter holidays. That is incredible. Congratulations.

I was thinking the same, guess the staff independent schools don’t take holidays!

A scholarship rather than a bursary?
The timescale is pretty amazing OP especially with it being Easter.

A 3 year old got a full scholarship? Wow that's impressive and very speedy.

Well I hope they enjoy their time at St Pauls (Colet Court?)

(I know it can't Dulwich, no full scholarships there at all - it's solely bursaries which can be 100% or slightly more - and not before age of 7 - and no assessments are done there during the school holidays)

Interesting work patterns from independent schools I wasn’t aware of!

Absolutely incredible that it all happened over 5 working days! Contact made, assessments, and decisions in just 5 days!

Hmmm. Amazing that you've had such good luck op and in such a short space of time!

Incredible indeed.

🤔

Well done! Glad to hear!
mine also got offered a place at a prep school near me and she starts next week in reception 🙂

Amazingly good luck there, well done. full scholarships are a rare beast indeed, so that is amazing for your DC.

I was in school yesterday (large independent) doing some paperwork, apart from having a coffee with the caretaker (always a mine of information/gossip) and chat with an electrician in fixing lights, there was no one around, like the Marie celeste!!

Glad to hear some places work in the hols too unlike us lazy toe rags!

It was very good luck the teachers were there to mark their assessments. Particularly the three year olds who are usually tested in small groups. A unique approach.

St Paul's Juniors starts in Y3. There is no provision for children going into reception.

A scholarship at St Paul’s appears to be worth £60.

https://www.stpaulsschool.org.uk/admissions/bursaries-assistance-with-fees/bursaries-faqs/

So I imagine that is not what the OP is referring to.

@Luluace I think posters might be curious to know which school has offered a ‘full scholarship’ to a 3 year old. I realise you might not want to make yourself so visible on a public forum but perhaps you could clarify so people understand what you mean? Is it one or both children who have received this award?

I have no experience of applying to London independent schools. I recall the period from application to offer of scholarship at a ‘highly sought after’ boarding prep, within the last few years, was several months; and for a well known senior boarding school the entire process was lengthy, though, iirc, the bursary offer followed swiftly after pre-test result - so I’m impressed with any school that can turn things over in a matter of weeks. Perhaps the OP was already further along in the application process than she had previously indicated?

Very good news to have everything sorted out, @Luluace.

Ah the OP won’t be back

I don’t think anyone actually believes what OP has said in her update.

Not even working days but Easter Hols.
Best of luck to you OP, I hope everything works out for you and your DC whatever the situation is

@ParsonsPont I would like to understand exactly what the OP wishes to convey …

True story...
Maybe not.