Another bursary question

[Loopylooni]

Currently on bursary of 25% school fees which will be reviewed. Looking at more expensive schools where the threshold is much higher (they said unlikely for them to offer when your salary is 4 times the fees - mine definitely isn't plus I'll be sending 2). Due to this threshold, i think id be more likely to get something compared to current school.

As it stands i couldn't afford the more expensive schools but I'm thinking to ask the bursar whether they have ever tried to match what I'm on now in the event of child passing all the tests/interviews. If im no worse off, I'd definitely seriously consider moving. But if not, I'd stay and hope i get something.

Is this a ridiculous ask?

My immediate question is why are you looking at more expensive schools…more expensive doesn’t always equate to better …. are your children not thriving at their current school? What is the reason? Your new school will contact your existing school for a reference etc. are you not concerned in the current climate of VAT and lots of parents struggling that your existing school may reduce the bursary as you aren’t committed etc.

Is this a move from prep to senior? Or day to boarding? Or is there some other reason you’re considering a new school?

It isn’t really a question of ‘matching’ the bursary you have now. Another school will make decisions based on what they have available, how much they want your child and your income and assets.

Hi, it's just that they are all more expensive rather than me specifically wanting it. I like the school but I think it has its constraints and so im looking elsewhere. I think my children could do better elsewhere

I have three kids on a similar sized bursary to you. Bear in mind also that while bursars tend to consider the size of the family a bit, they don’t see it as a hugely influential factor in assessing income, as the number of kids one has is the choice of the parents, if that makes sense!

Obviously it’s difficult to advise without more information but - assuming you’re at a day school - you could almost certainly expect a larger bursary from a boarding school. But then the whole fee would be substantially higher.

I’m not sure how easy it would be to coax a bursary out of another school outside the normal transition years - unless the child in question has significant, noticeable qualities that would make them particularly attractive to a specific school.