Getting help for indie schooling

mollister · 2012-02-10T10:35:00+00:00

Can anyone give me advice on how to get some help for independent schooling? DD is 14 so missed CE but not happy with state school which has a notice to improve from ofsted. No sob stories but am on own completely, mum, dad and brother died and DD's father in other country and never helped at all. My brother went to Worksop - would they help do you think?

Gumby · 10/02/2012 10:36

What is CE?

I suppose you might get a scholarship or bursary if she's talented in something?

Original poster

mollister · 10/02/2012 10:43

Common Entrance.
She's good at drama but not sure that's academic enough.
I have had a look around bursaries but they only cover a percentage. I have a part time fairly low paid job so I can be home for when she gets in so no chance of affording fees reduced by 10 or 20 % which seems to be the norm. I just wondered if anyone knew of any independent body that helped out - really long shot and probably a stupid question.

OP posts:

EdithWeston · 10/02/2012 10:45

What does it say on the website? You'd probably need to contact both the admissions registrar (to see if they expect to have any vacancies at the point you want her to enter, and how they assess for occasional places), and the bursar to discuss what bursaries are available and how much they can offer (and when - available funds for this school year may well already be committed, but there may be possibilities in Sept) and an outline of their means testing arrangements (all schools have their own thresholds and disregards and these vary a lot).

Original poster

mollister · 10/02/2012 10:47

Whats EW, that's good advice, am looking now

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Original poster

mollister · 10/02/2012 10:48

Sorry, that should have been THANKS EW!

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EdithWeston · 10/02/2012 10:49

Sorry x-ed with your last!

There are charities which can help, but it's usually if there are specific factors as well as need for additional funds. And it's often restricted to those already in a school whose families have suffered a reversal of fortune (allowing them to complete schooling to the next natural break point) rather than supporting from the outset. If you google "grant giving" and "education" you'll find the main one's.

Original poster

mollister · 10/02/2012 10:55

Will check that out. I can see how continuing in education rather than starting from scratch would be easier to fund. Feel guilty about even asking but I also feel guitly that I can't educate DD as I was. Thanks

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MrsJAlfredPrufrock · 10/02/2012 12:49

What school year is she in? Aged 14 she could be yr 9 or yr 10.

LadySybilDeChocolate · 10/02/2012 13:05

Are you getting scholarships mixed up with bursaries? A scholarship is a % off the fees, a bursary usually goes on income. If you're on a low income and they want her at the school then you'd get far more off the fees.

happygardening · 10/02/2012 13:20

Bursaries vary in size although many schools are only able to offer 20-30% but other state they offer up to 100%. Your problem is that you've missed the mail intake time yr7/9 but it's still worth ago. There are lots and lots of posting about obtaining bursaries on MN I believe you can do a search. I would look for a school with a thriving drama dept and also one that does drama A level big well known names have often got more money for bursaries so don't be afraid to approach them and boarding schools are proabaly more l

happygardening · 10/02/2012 13:26

Bursaries vary in size although many schools are only able to offer 20-30% but other state they offer up to 100%. Your problem is that you've missed the main intake time yr7/9 but it's still worth ago. There are lots and lots of posting about obtaining bursaries on MN I believe you can do a search. I would look for a school with a thriving drama dept and also one that does drama A level big well known names have often got more money for bursaries so don't be afraid to approach them and boarding schools are proabaly more likely to have vacancies. Your going to need evidence of her ability in drama particularly if she's not very academic or at least doesn't appear to be on paper.
As someone once said to me if you don't ask you won't get.
With regard to help from outside organisations money is limited and is usually only given to those with complex family situations the main one being illness of one or both parents.
Good luck.

happygardening · 10/02/2012 13:26

Bursaries vary in size although many schools are only able to offer 20-30% but other state they offer up to 100%. Your problem is that you've missed the main intake time yr7/9 but it's still worth ago. There are lots and lots of posting about obtaining bursaries on MN I believe you can do a search. I would look for a school with a thriving drama dept and also one that does drama A level big well known names have often got more money for bursaries so don't be afraid to approach them and boarding schools are proabaly more likely to have vacancies. Your going to need evidence of her ability in drama particularly if she's not very academic or at least doesn't appear to be on paper.
As someone once said to me if you don't ask you won't get.
With regard to help from outside organisations money is limited and is usually only given to those with complex family situations the main one being illness of one or both parents.
Good luck.

happygardening · 10/02/2012 13:28

Fantastic posted same message three times. Sorry about that. Bloody Internet connection why is it so erratic?