Private school with a bursary

[Arkadia]

Has anyone done it? I know it is possible (in theory at least), but everyone is really coy about it because I can find NO-ONE talking about it (with one exception, as I do know one person who gets it)
Do parents have to sing an NDA or something? Is there a social stigma attached to it?

I had a friend tell me they were told they absolutely were not allowed to discuss it and she was only telling me because she trusts me implicitly, I had to really promise not to ever mention it to anyone or their child might lose their place, and they only were offered it because of how bright their child was (4 year old) Yadda Yadda. I thought that was odd because the possibility is mentioned on the school website . Then I had another friend get one at the same school a year later who was very open about it and told me it was nonsense about being told to keep it under wraps, and that the other friend was talking out their arse. I think it is hush hush in a keeping up appearances way. Some people are so snobby they can't abide anyone thinking they aren't rolling in it.

It’s very rare to get a substantial bursary anyway. And unlikely people would bother to talk about getting say a £1k bursary.

My daughter had a bursary all through senior school. We were not told to keep it quiet but when daughter expressed an interest in a school trip ( we couldn’t afford it anyway) we were told all spare money should go towards her fees! In sixth form it was a different head who had no problems with trips . Daughter had a part time job and saved up and with help from relatives was able to go on a fab geography field trip to Africa. Another mum stayed on Income Support for years to ensure maximum bursary but her daughters were very clever .

@sandgrown, I was wondering the same thing about disincentives to work. If all the extra money you earn is going towards the fees you are really better off on the dole.
If you are on a, say 60k+ salary, then the fees are probably spare change (unless your mortgage is killing you), otherwise even on 40-45k a year you just can't afford it, but then if you do get a bursary you don't want to earn more, do you.

Your best course of action would be to pick up the phone and speak to the bursar at whichever school you are considering. Bursaries are definitely available at private schools but each will have their own criteria for awarding them. The bursary pot is finite at all schools but some schools have deeper pockets than others. Often older public schools (probably boarding) have the deepest pockets.

It's not a secret who has a bursary at our school. But the school goes into your finances in minute detail - think mortgage application times ten.

@motherstongue, yes indeed, but I was looking for first hand experience from the parents' point of view, rather than the schools.
@Pipandmum, what do you mean, do they feel singled out within the school?

Ds has a bursary to an excellent private school. Both parents are expected to work. The amount is totally confidential and the school goes through our finances with a fine tooth comb.

Scholarships, where you might get a few hundred quid off, aren't the same thing.

It's not a secret who has a bursary at our school

It should be.

My DC had a scholarship and bursary to a boarding school in England. We only had to pay 5% of the fees. Had to declare earnings etc annually.

I know someone who had a 'widows bursary' for George Heriots. It was full fees plus uniform and extra money for trips etc. This was a while ago but it looks like it is still available.

He tells me it was no secret who was on the bursary and there was no stigma attached.

Obviously the circustmaces leading to being eligible for this bursary are tragic and not something you'd wish upon any family.

www.george-heriots.com/admissions/fee-assistance/#:~:text=The%20Foundation%20at%20the%20heart,the%20death%20of%20a%20parent.

I've seen one school in Glasgow actively encouraging folk from less well off backgrounds to attend on bursary, complete with stories from ex pupils who attended this way. No idea if it's talked about or not. Where are you thinking of applying?

I had a bursary. It wasn't much (

Dd had a bursary, about 10% of the kids at the school had a bursary, ranging from 10% to 100%. They also helped with trips if you need it. No-one knew who was on a bursary but it wasn't confidential. We had to provide detail of our finances along with evidence. We couldn't have afforded it without the bursary. Every year you had to reapply and be reassessed.

It is very much on a school by school basis. Some schools are far more generous than others.
Do you have a particular school in mind OP?

[quote Arkadia]@sandgrown, I was wondering the same thing about disincentives to work. If all the extra money you earn is going towards the fees you are really better off on the dole.
If you are on a, say 60k+ salary, then the fees are probably spare change (unless your mortgage is killing you), otherwise even on 40-45k a year you just can't afford it, but then if you do get a bursary you don't want to earn more, do you.[/quote]
Spare change on 60k for private school seriously?!
The private schools around us are 15-20k a year! Tax on a 60K salary is about 15K!

My husband had a bursary to private school and the school also changed the amount after a few years. Different schools have different policies and bursary amounts.