Is a 60% Bursary to a private sixth form a stretch?

[khadija123]

Hello! My daughter (year 10) currently attends a state school, and is really eager to join Queenswood school for sixth form (a private school). Myself and her dad think that Queenswood is the perfect fit for her, and she also thinks the same. The only problem is that we would need a 60% bursary - minimum 50%, to be able to send her there. Her dad and I are divorced, he's a comfortable earner and I'm on UC. We think that my situation will help us get a bursary - but we're not sure on the percentage. Does anyone have any experience with bursaries at Queenswood? And is 60% a stretch? Also, do you think there is anything she can do to boost her chances of a bursary e.g impress at the interview?

As i previously stated, he earns around 70k.

Sorry. I missed that.

It will vary school by school and will depend on whether there are endowments for bursaries or whether bursaries are coming from fees. More boys schools seem to have endowments than girls. You could probably do some digging into the specific circumstances at queenswood by looking at accounts filed with the charity commission.

One thing you haven’t mentioned is whether you have equity in your house. At my school, it’s clear that equity is taken into consideration as is the viability of remortgaging for fees.

The website (which I’ve linked above, and which the OP must already be completely familiar with,) clearly states that their bursaries come principally from fees income.

OP my only observation of 6th Form Entry is that your DC will need to achieve exceptional GCSE results - whilst offers in the first place will be on the schools test, this offer would also be conditional on GCSE grades for example all 7s.

In terms of a bursary alot of people on here will say a bursary is based on your finances however this isn’t strictly true the school will only go through this process once they’ve decided they really want your DC as they will bring x,y and z. But please know that schools are struggling and if a school can have 3 pupils on 30% bursary and paying 70% of the fees or 1 student on a 60% bursary in today’s climate they will most likely take the 3 who can pay.

Is there anything your DC can do in the next year that will set them apart from other applicants, what does the school value etc. Is there anyway you could increase the amount you can contribute or do you need to start the process this October? The only other thing I would add is that would it not be better to save for university, are there no state 6th forms that they could go to?

I do not wish to put a downer in your aspirations for your DC as until you start the process etc. nobody truly knows what the outcome will be but I would make sure that your DC expectations are kept under control and have a plan b. Good luck with it.

I’m very educated thanks. Lovely dripfeed about being disabled. I was expecting it to be honest.

I just don’t agree with you. Think I’ve touched a nerve.

The OP didn’t ask whether you agreed or your thoughts on her personal life and circumstances. They asked: Does anyone have any experience with bursaries at Queenswood? And is 60% a stretch? Also, do you think there is anything she can do to boost her chances of a bursary e.g impress at the interview?

If you can’t answer these questions then why comment at all. Any bursary that someone receives will never be your decision, nor does it affect you in any shape or form. Perhaps use that ‘educated’ mind to not be an antagonist!

Whilst every child is different, please also bare in mind that many private school educated dc do leave at 26 because the subjects on offer are very limited and the available combinations very restricted compared to sixth form colleges. I know several who switched last minute even because the private school told them they couldn’t do x &y

I think that given she can only go there with a large Bursary or scholarship you have done her a dis service to get this far with the process

you say at the beginning that you are seeking full time work around caring responsibilities for your dd then later say you have the disability. The school expects parents to maximise income so may ask questions about this side of things, could you work more? We obviously don’t know your situation and disabilities vs ability to work vary so much too (getting an employer to actually hire you is another topic altogether!)

her dad’s income is in the ballpark area of the cut off for many schools but it’s always worth talking to the bursar honestly to get feedback on whether it’s feasible to continue seeking this avenue, exceptional academic ability or specialist skills in another area would definitely enhance the application, think about why your dc would particularly benefit the school over other potential applicants? The bursary department aren’t looking for also rans, they want the bursary dc to help the school in some way or another

ChatGPT anyone? ("But let's be clear: bursaries aren't handed out based on entitlement - they're awarded to students who show promise and face genuine financial need")

They may well state that on the website but in reality they will have a way of ranking the kids they offer bursaries to. The ones offered will obviously be the highest achieving as they will want the return in exam results.

It's worth asking about the standards needed for scholarships - is national standard required in a sport offered by the school for example? I'm not familiar with the school but locally to us the standards are extremely high & being 'sporty' isn't enough.

Often being an outstanding student at a very average state school will offer greater opportunities for University entrance in terms of contextualized offers, especially if she's looking at Oxbridge. So that might be worth considering before moving to private sixth form.

Household income of up to £100k can sometimes get a bursary, you'll need to give them full access to all your finances, both parents working within the limits of your disability will be expected, no flashy lifestyle/big holidays/expensive cars/second homes etc.

The only way you can really work out if this is possible is to contact the bursar with an outline of both parents' financial situations and ask. Any good school will be happy to discuss this with you. A school that won't is not somewhere you want to be as a bursary parent IMO.

You might also take a look at this bursary calculator and take into account that bursaries at Queenswood are likely to be significantly less generous than a school like this with a lot more money behind it: www.stpaulsschool.org.uk/admissions/founders-awards-bursaries/

I don’t think the St Paul’s calculator will be typical at all. I’m shocked how high the asset level can be to still qualify-up to £1.6m in net assets! Yes London property costs are high but I’m amazed that you could have a household income of £140k, a 2 million property (1.5 equity with a £500k mortgage for example ) and still qualify for some fee assistance.

I'm not sure the point of asking an anonymous internet forum; instead arrange an in-person meeting with the bursar and take all your financial records and statements and prepare for them to quiz you on all aspects of your finances (I mean all, and not just income). Any decision will depend on the school, their policies, their resources, financial position and their assessment of your daughter. Most independents that I know, especially in this post-VAT climate, will be expecting any prospective bursary student with one parent in a decently-paid job, another looking for work, and with savings or home equity, to be paying their way. I've heard of bursary applications being turned down when the parents have the choice to remortgage their home. Only the bursar will be able to tell your for sure.

Having said that, I agree with previous posters - getting your daughter's hopes up and having her build 'positive relationships with the admissions staff' is a major mistake before you even know if you can afford to send her there.

How did you get on OP?