Appealing bursary decision - worth a go?

[PonderLonelyAsACloud]

I will start by saying that we haven't been notified of the outcome of our bursary application but will likely hear in the next couple of weeks. I am nervous that we may not be offered enough of a discount to make it manageable to send DC to the school (secondary, currently at state primary, starting Y7 in Sept).

We have tried to manage DC's expectations throughout the admissions process. They sat the entrance assessment today and I think they would absolutely thrive at this school. If they don't get offered a place or we're not offered enough of a bursary, there's a decent state school that we would be happy with. But the private school is really incredible and I'd so love the opportunity for DC.

So, in the event that DC is offered a place but the bursary offer (if any) isn't enough to make it affordable, I'm keen to hear whether there's any experience or examples of people appealing and being offered a greater discount.

Just to add, I am well aware that VAT will make bursary pots even more stretched and that offers will have been carefully calculated, and competition will likely be very high, so we are assuming that this isn't going to work out for us, but really just trying to think through scenarios and hearing others' experience would be really helpful. Thank you

On what grounds would you be appealing?

We was only offered a 10% bursary for two schools when we was eligible on paper for 100%. I just left both at that assuming that if I had to appeal I might loose it again years down the line. But that's just my thinking. Starting then having to leave once settled too risky imo. I think they only gave out two 100% bursaries per year and we wasn't one of them.

Essentially, asking for more of a discount if they don't offer enough to make it manageable to accept the place (if offered one).

Thank you for replying. We'd need in the region of 75% bursary realistically, which I'm nervous about as being unlikely due to competition for those funds. I agree that accepting a place, and then needing to leave in a few years due to affordability would be something we'd want to avoid.

You sound very entitled. A bursary is a rare gift that the school bestows on you, it's not something to start arguing the toss about if they dom't give you what you consider enough. Everybody would like one for their child, you are not unique in this. Stop it.

I agree.

Quite abrupt, but thanks for sharing your view. I was hoping to get some insight into whether this is ever a conversation that can be had with a school, or if that's a futile hope. In other words, if we're fortunate enough to be offered a bursary of any level, but wouldn't be able to accept the place due to it still being beyond our means, is that the end of the story, and was curious if others had any examples of schools being open to further conversation.

I don't think we're entitled at all, I said in my OP that we're assuming this isn't going to be possible for DC.

My sister and I both had the extreme good fortune of fully funded private education (mixture of scholarship and means tested funding). This doesn't mean I think my DC (only have one) should automatically get the same - but it does mean I understand what incredible opportunities (some) private schools can offer. I'm not a high earner, my career field isn't lucrative, so can't afford the fees. Isn't that what bursary funds are for?

No idea about bursaries but in my view - you don't ask you don't get. I agree that the opportunities in some private schools are incredible. Also aware from our experience (both kids in highly sought after independents and trustee in one), that there is discretion.

The fact is private schools are going to have to do more work to demonstrate value-add and if for instance it is a very academic school, demonstrating great exits consistently will keep the clients coming. For such a school, your kid scoring really high in the assessments - may sway things re bursary amount. Hopefully someone with actual bursary experience comes along

@newmummycwharf1 Thank you - interesting to hear that there can be an element of discretion. Hopefully DC smashed the assessments today, agree that might help, if the school are very keen to welcome a pupil!

Hey OP, definitely think you’ll struggle at 75% range. The fact you are in employment- there will be many applicants who are a lot worse off family moneywise IE disabled or unemployed with very low incomes who will most likely be offered the higher amounts- or those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds (ethnically and socially) but I wish you and your son the best in the application fingers crossed for you. Everyone wants the best for their children whether they admit it here or not.

Agree with this. You lose nothing by asking.

Realistically I think an appeal in a private school scenario is only likely to succeed if there has been a clear mistake. So for example if your offer is lower than someone else with similar circumstances, for no apparent reason, or if the maths was just done wrong. Otherwise the people hearing the appeal (governors I assume?) won’t want to disagree with the school admissions staff’s judgment.

My sister and I both had the extreme good fortune of fully funded private education (mixture of scholarship and means tested funding). This doesn't mean I think my DC (only have one) should automatically get the same - but it does mean I understand what incredible opportunities (some) private schools can offer. I'm not a high earner, my career field isn't lucrative, so can't afford the fees. Isn't that what bursary funds are for?

Sounds a bit like you could have gone into a well paid field but chose not to, but now want the benefits anyway… I would say bursaries are for families who never had a chance of affording the fees (eg deprived background for several generations) but that’s just my view.

@Shooperpooper Thank you for keeping your fingers crossed 🥰

You can absolutely have the conversation with the school in my experience. The key however will be how well your child has done in the entrance exam. Generally schools will be very keen to have an academically strong child, even better if they have additional talents in sport, music etc. If they really want your child then they may well be flexible with your offer. 75% is a lot however and the recent VAT changes are likely to impact schools. Nothing ventured nothing gained though. My son goes to an amazing school on a mixture of bursary and scholarship which has given us 50% off full fees so totally understand you wanting to try. Good luck!

@minipie Interesting point re choosing not to go into a well-paid field. My career is very specialised and wouldn't have been open to me without an excellent education (and lots of hard work) and whilst it has many rewards, the salary isn't one of them.

The school DC is applying to don't know my educational background, only my job and salary (detailed bursary application process). I'm sure there are many people and families currently in more difficult financial circumstances, but my own background was not well-off at all - violent unemployed father, alcoholic mother, parents declared bankrupt during my childhood, lived in half-built house with no heating until age of 17 - not looking for sympathy, I suppose just flagging that my background and education won't come into it in the sense that the school don't know any of this, and probably wouldn't make any difference anyway if there's other applicants whose families are even less able to afford the fees than we are.

@gardengoal Thank you - appreciate your reply, and wonderful for your son - I hope he's thriving at his school :-)

I haven’t heard of anyone (personally) getting a 75% bursary or higher so they can’t be that common. They’re usually about 10% here which makes minimal difference to affordability. Good luck! You can always ask but I’d expect a no.

Fair enough. I suppose I was projecting as know a number of privately educated parents who chose less well paid careers due to their own interests, and now bemoan not being able to afford private. Ultimately they could have chosen a well paid career whereas parents from a more deprived background didn’t ever have that option. Your background sounds like a mixture of privileged education and very hard in other ways - I’m sorry.

Yes, I suspect a 75% bursary is hugely unlikely, sadly.

Yes, I was definitely 'the poor one' at my school! But extremely fortunate to be able to access the opportunity. DH's family likewise not well-off and his career likewise meaningful but not well paid (emergency services).

Yes I know someone who appealed and received a further reduction. She had to supply lots of bank statements to prove she needed extra funds, she had increased her mortgage payment and her husband had increased his pension contributions. I think they increased it from 50 to 75%.
In my honest opinion bursaries should go to children from disadvantage backgrounds where parents have little or no education themselves.

Nail on head. Exactly this. Bursaries are designed to give opportunity and have the biggest impact. Enhance life chances and help those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

I would say appeal but you can def have the conversation. I know a few people who have done that with various outcomes

It would be great if you could update on the outcome either way later in the year.

I am amazed at the level of bursary you are expecting only in so far as my old schools is now capped at 25% which imo begs the question "whats the point?" Because if you cant afford 20k you probably cant afford 15k...

I've not come across anyone receiving anything like this at our school, but worth asking.
With the Vat changes, the pension issues (teachers striking this month), NI changes - there just is not the extra money.

IME my eldest DD was offered a 75% scholarship/ bursary at 16 to do the IB at lour local private school.
As a LP I still couldn't afford it so I just politely declined the place on grounds of affordability. They asked me if 85% was doable I agreed it was but she had decided to go into the forces at that point anyway. That was for 6th form and was 3 years ago.

Now I'm back with ex P and DS is going for Y7, and has been offered a 10% scholarship and 35% bursary which we have accepted.

So it's worth a try, decline the place due to the cost but still say you'd love your DC to be able to attend