Bursaries for independent schools - meeting bursar

[SheHulk]

Does anyone know when is best to ask for a first meeting with the bursar of an independent school to talk about your financial situation? Before the exam? And if before, are we talking before the summer? Or is it after the exam? What did you do?...

We chatted with the bursar on the phone before doing the tour and meeting the head, just to be sure that they did in fact give bursaries at the level we would need. Then at the end of the tour we talked again and they gave us forms to fill in as a dry run so they could give us an idea of how much we might get. This was extremely helpful because it meant that before DS had even enrolled for the exam we knew a ballpark figure - although obviously with no guarantees. It was also useful because every school has different financial criteria so we need to be sure what they would take into account. DS did the exam and got a scholarship and then they topped up the rest of the fees with a bursary. We made sure they knew we were looking at another school as well.

Incidently the other school came in with an offer of 80% of fees which they promptly made full fees when we turned them down. My reliable source in the admission department told me that heads rolled at a high level when we still refused. From all that I conclude that if they really want your child they will make it happen.

Are your children already at an independent? My dd is very bright and I was always told by her primary school to try and get her into private/independent which would be on a bursary. On speaking to bursar of one of the local privates, she was horrified to hear that dd was from a state primary! Apparently bursaries are offered to children already at private schools. My dd was invited to take the test and although she may have passed she would not be considered? I asked "what if dd gets 100%?" The same answer - children already at private get the bursaries. I declined the offer of dd taking the entrance tests. What would have been the point? We were upset at the time as dd was not being challenged enough but now at high school she seems to be doing ok and her levels are 7A/8C and 8B (she is 12).Funnily enough, a friend dd made upon starting high school tried the entrance exam and she is nowhere near as bright as my dd (not boasting but it is true). Her mum works at the school in question and although she only got a low pass rate she was offered 10% off fees. Good luck with your children.

Goodness ibiza, I'd try a different school. That's a stupid system and doesn't give 'access to all' in any way whatsoever. At ds's it doesn't matter which school the boys are from, whether it's state or independent.

ibiza I'm surprised to hear that unless they bursar meant that they only give support to existing pupils. I've never heard of a bursary limited to pupils moving from one private school to another.

Agree MollieO - surely the whole point of a bursary is to enable someone to enter the independent system who wouldn't otherwise be able to access it?

Hopefully schools like that are in the minority ibiza

If the school has a limited fund for bursaries they often look at current pupils who have " fallen on hard times" rather than take a new pupil and lose the current one. It does though sound a strange situation to have no bursaries at all for new pupils to the school and very rude of the Bursar when she heard that your DD was from a state primary to be surprised.
As for Ibiza's friend getting a 10% reduction as the Mother works there. That is normal too. There is often a discount for staff children.

Ime there are two types of bursaries - ones that allow access to those who could never otherwise afford it (and are important for those schools with charitable status) and ones for those at the school whose financial circumstances have changed. Both are equally meritorious but the latter probably has less charitable weight.

At ds's school, teachers with pupils at the school get an 80% reduction in fees.

Before the exam , normally you have to apply at the time you register. No point in going through all the preparation and then not being able to take up the place.

Thank you all, most useful! We will meet with bursar before exam. Ibiza, what happened to you is very strange. DS is in a state primary. How could I justify asking for a bursary if I were able to pay for a private school right now?

When we applied we never spoke to the bursar at all, just asked for forms which had to be submitted in the autumn ie before entrance tests/results. I had done my research before applying. If I am honest we would have found the money somehow if we hadn't been successful in getting a bursary. I would have robbed a bank or sold my body We got the results of the bursary application together with the offer. For the first year we got 50%. That was great. And dd was at a state primary, I have never heard of bursaries only for those already in independant schools ibizagirl. At dds school children of teachers get a whopping 75% discount for secondary and 50% for primary That is not a bursary it is a discount.

Very interesting everyone. The one school's website even says "100% bursaries are available to children who would otherwise not be able to afford fees for (school)" That looks like outsiders to me but hey ho. It was primary school that was pushing for it and even had a letter written up. Another local indie has the advert for "free places available". Pity we still haven't the 11 plus in our county as this would probably have been the better route. Never mind.

Ibiza are you sure you have that right? Bursaries are more usually not available to kids who HAVE been privately educated. They need to offer bursaries to retain their charitable status and those more likely to qualify due to limited funds are those coming from a state school.

Moreover 11+, although not as widespread as they were, do still exist in this country in the form of grammar schools.

" They need to offer bursaries to retain their charitable status" - not true. The latest legal rulings show that the provision of bursaries is neither necessary nor in itself sufficient to demonstrate charitableness.

Edith is correct but hopefully many have gone down this road including many well known independent schools who a seriously embraced the concept they will remain committed to it.
Some e.g. St Paul's boys were originally formed to educate the "poor" l

I don't think the (brief, illegal) attempt by the CC to introduce an unspecified level of bursary as an absolute test will make the slightest diffence. Schools offered bursaries before all that and will continue to do so. The media coverage however as made this provision better known and one hopes this will encourage more applicants.

OP: I was wondering how you got on? If it is not too private to post, would you let us know?

Edith Oh that's interesting. Was that quite recent? Nonetheless, just like happygardening has pointed out, from my investigations of around nine or so independent schools, state school applicants were strongly encouraged with the prerequisite for many being that the child was not coming from a private school, which was my main point.

Lots of info about the Upper Tribunal's ruling here - it was nearly a year ago now.

Hi, I have a quick question and appreciate any response on this.I have a meeting with my kidss Bursar tomorrow (yes both are currently going to Independent schools ) .All applications done.Earlier we were able to pay but lately with my husband being made redundant it has been a huge burden but wanted to continue the kids schooling without any break.
Have a meting and really really apprehensive on what to expect from he Bursar.
Any any suggestions most welcome.

Designer, as this thread is 2 years old I'd recommend starting a new thread with your question in the title x

Hello

If I were you i'd start a new thread as maybe people won't answer a zombie thread