So you're granted a bursary but then what about extras?

[Fo0ffyShmo0ffer]

We are considering a local private school for DS. It would be subject to us being granted a bursary towards the fees.

Before I ring up feeling like a twit, are things like holidays, day trips and other extras covered by this? We have recently found out word of mouth how much certain trips cost. We were . It seems stupid to send him if he can't participate in certain things due to money.
I wondered if it was the same every where or do some school cover certain costs and some don't?

I am not sure extras are (Werent when my sister had a bursary) but may vary by each school.

They aren't at DS' school though day trips are included in fees (i.e. museums, science trips etc) so could be covered by a bursary. Holidays aren't compulsory though and around 50% of the pupils never seem to go on them so it's not a big deal not going.

Lunches aren't included and are expensive, though you can take a packed lunch. But some private schools include lunches in fees. You could look at the website for the school you want and you should be able to work out what's included. Good luck!

It may cover curriculum trips and activities but not things like residentials or music lessons unless that is a recognised strength. Some fees include lunch others don't.

A bursary will be a % of the basic fees covered. If you are low income ther emay be various hardship funds you can apply to re uniform/trips etc as well

Some schools will also give an allowance towards things like uniform. To be honest this is the biggest outlay that you will have apart from fees. However I haven't come across any schools that routinely give allowance for trips. I think that the expensive trips like ones abroad etc are optional, although there may be peer pressure to go, but there are some trips that are part of the curriculum and considered essential. However you will get this at state schools too so you are no worse off.
Some schools also require you to purchase stationary and text books, some will also charge for exam entry.
At dds school they do have a fund that you can apply to for things like trips if you write in stating a case, and you don't have to be a bursary holder to apply either. They do state that you can only get one funding during your school years so better choose wisely.
Schools are different and have different funds available so you need to check up on school website, literature, or ask the bursar to make sure.

You have to ask. You won't be the first, and you won't be the last to do so.

You'd be making a financial commitment, and it only makes sense to find out the T&Cs before you sign up.

I'm going to have to ring aren't I?
I know there is no shame in applying for a bursary but it's a phone call i'd rather not make IYSWIM.
Discussing what you get and what you don't get is something I don't feel comfortable with. I'll do it tomorrow morning. DS has his heart set on it.

You are talking about a bursary and not a scholarship. Generally speaking, if your DS is on a scholarship it would be easier to negotiate with the school about certain extras but if he is on a bursary then it is quite unlikely that the school will help much but before I finish this sentence, I must say it depends on many things such as:

1. The school itself - how wealthy they are.
2. The nature of the extra - is it a necessity.
3. Holidays - absolutely not compulsory, therefore, unlikely school will help.
4. Trips - long or short (?) - is it wholly and exclusively for the purpose of his course.

Please bear in mind many of the extras can be done away without. In any case some of the trips may not even apply to your DS, e.g. a trip to China with the First Eleven football team while your son is only interested in playing (say) chess; or a snorkelling holiday in the Red Sea while all that your son does is just an occasional dip in the school swimming pool.

Let?s face it, in a really posh school there may be as many as a hundred or more different societies/clubs and it is humanly impossible to be involved in all of them. Other more reasonable activities/trips are fairly easily affordable e.g. a weekend trip to Auschwitz with the Historical Society would not exactly break the bank and cost not much more than if he was staying at home going to the local comprehensive. So please don?t allow all this talk of astronomical cost of ?extras? put you off private schooling.

Yes, I think you are. But take heart - what you need to find out is entirely reasonable

If the school proves snotty, you'd rather know now, wouldn't you? But the chances are, they won't be. They'll be getting detailed enquiries all the time, and should be good at handling them. If not, why not? Remember, this is a two way matchmaking exercise - you are also finding out if they are good enough for your family.

I would assume a bursary only applied to things that were included within tghe normal fees. So if trips are included in the fees, themn the bursary would take them into account, etc.

I would apply first, and see if you're likely to get one. If positive, then you can go into more detail. DS doesn't have to know about initial application.
Good luck.

@Fo0ffyShmo0ffer I know a indie school in Croydon area covers the lunches in year 7/8 but after that you have to cover them yourself.

Also many of the trips are less than they would be full price but they are still costly and uniform is quite expensive too...but it doesn't cost anything to try...well it does for entrance exam

The school may do a second-hand uniform sale year which definitely helps keep costs down. My daughter's school does it twice a year to raise funds.

Its a great idea if ur dh wasn't such a snob and won't buy second hand.:)

You say there is no point sending him if he can't go on trips and things, but there is, if this is the school where your ds will do the best, then that is the important thing. I was in the same position, my ds wanted to go to his school, I let him know we could only afford it if we got help from the school, which we did. It doesn't include trips or clubs, though they will add the club fees to the school fees which i pay monthly. My ds, in five years at the school has only wanted to go on one trip, and the clubs he wanted to join have been minimal cost. He doesn't think he has missed out because I can't pay for everything his friends parents can. Consider trying for a scholarship. If you want a bursary you will have to disclose your earnings, if you won't do that forget applying. We use the second hand shop, be realistic about what you can afford because it only gets more expensive every year.

I totally agree, we are in the same boat as you were ptiger, we need help for our ds to get into the school of his choice :). We are over half way there now had interview and just waiting for the i's to be dotted and the t's to be crossed . although this has been a very stressful process both his dad and I know it is the best choice we have ever made along side having our beautiful children . I say go for it!!!!!

That's an extremely good point PTiger and interesting to know.
We are quite willing to disclose income to apply for a bursary. They don't offer scholarships as they " are unashamedly academically selective" etc. so it's bursary or nothing. Our income being what it is it would have to be a full bursary too.

It would be an amazing environment for a child like DS, I just want all my facts before we jump in.

I think it is always worth the gamble...to be honest it wasn't until our ds spent a week at the school we trying that we considered it!!! Good luck with whatever decision you make for your ds

At my DS's school the essential school trips are included in the bursary i.e geography field trips etc., bursary students get the same percentage off as they were given bursary. The school also has an outdoor pursuits weekend which each form go on every year - these trips are included in the fees so no extra money required there. Foreign holidays, ski trips etc are extra though and full price, as is uniform (although there is a super second hand uniform shop, which also buys good uniform back from you after use!). All the clubs, after school and lunchtime activities that my DS goes to have no charge either. The things charged for are music and drama lessons mainly. I have certainly been surprised by this as I was worried that my DS wouldn't be able to join in some things due to lack of funds but that certainly hasn't been the case. Even the school dinners are reasonable compared to the local high school!! Good luck with your decision - It's very stressful when your going though it (this time last year I was going crazy with it all) but DS is soooooo happy at this school it was certainly all worth it for us!!!