Low income and zero bursary award

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Got offers for senior schools but have received zero bursary awards despite being on very low income, living in housing association home and not being able to accept a place without a bursary. I know VAT has a big impact but to be awarded zero help just seems very strange as I would have thought there would be some consideration at least...

Any advice as my child is really distraught at working so hard and passing the assessments but the zero bursary awards look like we will need to reject these places...

Social mobility isn't about cherry picking a few children to give them privileged access in a two tier system.

It is about creating systemic change so that EVERY child can have the opportunity to succeed, irrespective of their background.

There is no reason why the taxpayer should fund the independent sector (except perhaps for when indy schools are the only possible provider of SEND provision).

The taxpayer doesn't fund the independent sector. Hope that helps

Not quite true in my experience.

My daughter received a partial bursary and scored well/ average on assessments and had no particular skill in sport or music etc.

Not trying to argue, thought it worth noting in case a parent is reading and does not apply based on the information offered so far.

Sorry! Quoted the wrong person somehow!

Go to state school and take advantage of all and every Sutton trust summer schools etc
He will be very fine
He has other options
They cannot give bursaries to every applicant

How on earth is the tax payer funding the independent sector?

It isn't but that's the result of the lies coming out of Labour and their divisive language used over this policy

I know.. just wondered what new information @GoneGirl12345 might have..

@GoneGirl12345
hello Briget
the tax payer doesn’t fund the public sector are you using Rachel’s Abacus ? It supports the state sector by children esp SEND one’s going to public schools that don’t cost the tax payer a penny because their parents are paying twice one in form of taxes and once in form of school fees. This chippy punitive tax will cost the tax payers of which the high rate ones are leaving the Uk in droves very heavily

I'm wondering this too. OP, you say your child is "distraught". It seems cruel to have let them think there was ever anything more than the presumably very small chance of a significant bursary that would have allowed them to take up the place they worked so hard for. Did you want the cachet of any bursary offer, however small?

My friends with DC at local independent have had to stop paying their monthly donation to the school foundation fund (which helps funds bursaries) in order to offset some of the increased fee cost due to VAT. They've also stopped attending all but the cheapest fundraising events at the school.

The number of available bursaries has been reduced for next year.

As the old saying goes, 'charity begins at home...'

By the sounds of it there was no point offering the op a small bursary because she needed a very big one.

and given the schools had in-depth insight I. To the Op’a financial situation, they’d have known that. So rather than offer a token gesture knowing it wasn’t sufficient or even a more substantial… it wouldn’t have been enough.

so no point offering a small bursary

The 'pot of money' will have been used up by candidates higher in the order of merit than your child at entrance exam.
If some of those qualified for large bursaries based on their financial situation the pot won't go very far.
Bursaries are usually funded from money given to the school by benefactors - not from school fees paid by other parents.

All of the children on bursaries at my children’s school are those in need who scored highest in the entrance exams. They are given scholarship discounts and then bursary funding to cover the rest of the fees.

I think you have answered your own question. They can’t give bursaries to everyone.

This also.

The VAT exemption means less tax is paid. But you know what I meant, you just decided to be pedantic rather than engage in the substance of my post.

I meant the VAT exemption means fewer tax receipts

Had you already prepared your child for the idea that without a bursary, you wouldn't be able to afford the school?

@Wemaybebetterstrangers "This is one of the consequences of Labours policies. Stopping social mobility. I’m sorry it’s directly affected you."

I am sorry the OP didn't get what she wanted. But there have always been a limited number of scholarships and bursaries, and very few full ones. To say this is due to Labour policies is ridiculous.

The OP may have been wiser not to build her child's hopes up-do parents really put their child in a position where they are "distraught" at not getting a full bursary. Surely telling them it was worth a punt but very unlikely was the responsible thing to do?

As I've clarified, what I meant was the VAT exemption results in fewer tax receipts.

But interested in your responses to the substantive point about social mobility

I meant the VAT exemption results in fewer tax receipts.

I also acknowledged the role that the indy sector plays in SEND provision.

I'm not Bridget. Are you always so rude?

Ime the bursary places tend to go to children who are academically gifted or gifted in sports, but have a low family income. DD was offered a fully funded place, plus extra for extra curricular activities (I’m assuming trips etc?) but we turned the place down in the end due to the commute and concerns that she might not have much in common with the other children there

But the parents pay with their earnings which have been taxed.

To be honest even a small bursary award would also mean not being able to take the places up but it would have given me some hope that we had been considered somewhat at the least

im not sure I understand, hope for what? Your child was considered. Every child who applies for one is considered. Sadly your child didn’t make the cut, it is hugely competitive. It doesn’t mean your child didn’t excel. Simply others excelled higher.