Page 9 | Independent schools while on UC

Luluace · 2024-03-28T23:56:55+00:00

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.

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Londonforestmum · 10/04/2024 06:59

Luluace · 09/04/2024 02:04

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.
✌️

You were on the waiting list?

Gruach · 10/04/2024 08:23

Still puzzled. The OP’s update seems to be arguing points that no one disputed:

Yes, they did ask for their registration prior to anything

We know.

No special treatment or soppy story given.

No one said such a thing would be necessary.

My receipt of UC hasn’t changed the tight system in place which all independent school (especially very competitive ones) operate by.

No one said it would. Interesting though that the OP became an expert so rapidly after stating in her first post What prep and for how long? I am not familiar with the system and just need to understand That was less than two weeks ago.

@Luluace you have left me very puzzled about the nature and purpose of your thread …

BonjourCrisette · 10/04/2024 10:38

@Gruach I always think that even when a post has some inconsistencies or inaccuracies, if useful sensible advice is given then at least anyone searching for something similar may find it and benefit from it.

Gruach · 10/04/2024 10:46

I agree. It’s what I said yesterday evening.

BonjourCrisette · 10/04/2024 11:07

Ah, sorry, so you did! I hadn't noticed.

Original poster

Luluace · 10/04/2024 18:48

Anameisaname · 09/04/2024 10:21

Absolutely well done to your DC OP. Just a word of caution ... check the terms of the bursary very carefully to check eligibility going forward. You are on UC now but is the bursary for the whole school life or is it reassessed annually depending on income and is it dependent on academic achievements?
I only say as my son has a scholarship and he is required to maintain a minimum academic result to keep the scholarship, this is secondary though

Thank you! I will check and ask lots of questions as I am due to go back soon. if it is maintaining then hopefully it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

OP posts:

Original poster

Luluace · 10/04/2024 21:54

Gruach · 10/04/2024 08:23

Still puzzled. The OP’s update seems to be arguing points that no one disputed:

Yes, they did ask for their registration prior to anything

We know.

No special treatment or soppy story given.

No one said such a thing would be necessary.

My receipt of UC hasn’t changed the tight system in place which all independent school (especially very competitive ones) operate by.

No one said it would. Interesting though that the OP became an expert so rapidly after stating in her first post What prep and for how long? I am not familiar with the system and just need to understand That was less than two weeks ago.

@Luluace you have left me very puzzled about the nature and purpose of your thread …

Sorry you feel that way. Not sure how much of the comments you have read, however there is a lot of judgement due to ignorance. You have picked specific highlights from my comment and then stated it was less than two weeks ago. My journey didn’t start less than two weeks ago as it is clear in my comments, you and a few others just assumed it had.

I am however, puzzled at what makes you think I am now an expert?
asking questions does not mean I solely rely of all comments/views/advice kindly given. I have not stated to know more than anyone who has offered to share their opinions, I have shared mine.

I believe there are a lot more who have identified the nature and purpose of this thread.

OP posts:

Gruach · 10/04/2024 22:11

Astonishingly I find I have posted approximately 25 times on this thread, @Luluace, generally with support, information and clarification - which you have acknowledged above! So you may be sure that I have read every comment several times. This is definitely not a subject where ‘ignorance’ would be the appropriate word to apply to me. I’ve probably indicated my own family’s bursary success above - and have spent more than a decade attempting to make the process more accessible to posters on MN.

Perhaps you need to read my posts again?

Wimbledonmum1985 · 30/04/2024 09:46

AIstolemylunch · 09/04/2024 10:58

Which London independent schools give scholarships to 3 year olds? Presumably these are acdemic scholarships as they cant be sport or music scholarships at that age surely? How can you predict how well a child will do in their GCSEs or grammar school tests or A levels or university admissions (because that is what independent schools are selecting for, lets be honest) at 3??

Agree. Baffling.

DancefloorAcrobatics · 30/04/2024 11:29

Good luck OP.
I hope to read something about your little protegees in the near future.

They must be creating a storm in academia, especially the 3y old.

Wimbledonmum1985 · 30/04/2024 12:53

DancefloorAcrobatics · 30/04/2024 11:29

Good luck OP.
I hope to read something about your little protegees in the near future.

They must be creating a storm in academia, especially the 3y old.

I suspect you will. In another year or two, both will surely be at least five years ahead of their peers. No wonder the school snapped them up.

Original poster

Luluace · 01/05/2024 18:33

DancefloorAcrobatics · 30/04/2024 11:29

Good luck OP.
I hope to read something about your little protegees in the near future.

They must be creating a storm in academia, especially the 3y old.

Both passed the school assessment well enough and I am sure the school knew what they were doing and were thorough considering they were there for a while without any influence from me. Their decision was at their discretion and I don’t take for granted as it’s clearly unusual. Who knows why, but I know it was not a light decision to make nonetheless.

As I have observed in this thread, it’s interesting how many have minimised a 3yr olds ability to do anything remotely advanced based on their general knowledge/experience personally or outside that.
Children are different and will always be, and their development is different. How I nurture will never be the same as the next person, but I am sure no one is any better than the next either, we just do our best. Mostly parents want to have well rounded children which is attainable, but never a guarantee.

People will always show tendencies of being sarcastic and negative during or when the outcome is revealed. That’s their prerogative. The fact it both will be attending a great school and my experience has been slightly different and I can only go by that. I have proof, but I think it won’t make any difference especially to those who believe it’s a bluff. Again, everyone is entitled to believing what they want. I will not dispute it. I just love the fact that my experience may have slightly changed the standard narrative.

I do appreciate those who know that it is something that could happen no matter how well informed you may be about private schools.
Who knows what they’ll achieve in their time at school, but I am sure they will thrive either way as the all- round nurturing will now extend outside home both socially and academically.

OP posts:

Wimbledonmum1985 · 01/05/2024 19:17

Luluace · 01/05/2024 18:33

Both passed the school assessment well enough and I am sure the school knew what they were doing and were thorough considering they were there for a while without any influence from me. Their decision was at their discretion and I don’t take for granted as it’s clearly unusual. Who knows why, but I know it was not a light decision to make nonetheless.

As I have observed in this thread, it’s interesting how many have minimised a 3yr olds ability to do anything remotely advanced based on their general knowledge/experience personally or outside that.
Children are different and will always be, and their development is different. How I nurture will never be the same as the next person, but I am sure no one is any better than the next either, we just do our best. Mostly parents want to have well rounded children which is attainable, but never a guarantee.

People will always show tendencies of being sarcastic and negative during or when the outcome is revealed. That’s their prerogative. The fact it both will be attending a great school and my experience has been slightly different and I can only go by that. I have proof, but I think it won’t make any difference especially to those who believe it’s a bluff. Again, everyone is entitled to believing what they want. I will not dispute it. I just love the fact that my experience may have slightly changed the standard narrative.

I do appreciate those who know that it is something that could happen no matter how well informed you may be about private schools.
Who knows what they’ll achieve in their time at school, but I am sure they will thrive either way as the all- round nurturing will now extend outside home both socially and academically.

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Utterly bonkers.

AIstolemylunch · 02/05/2024 17:24

Deluded.