Any financial help available for gifted kids to attend private schools?

[Bibii]

DD is a gifted child from the age of 4 but because DD went to state primary schools he was dumbed down by the system but still managed to achieve level 5 in year 6. DD was offered a low-achieving state school which we rejected because we felt DD would crash out of education if he attended that school. DD did not get a school via the 11 plus exams because of late preparation. DD had no school to attend this September so we registered DD at a private school. DD received part scholarship for the tuition fees but I am not working at the moment so I still need some form of grant or sponsorship to pay the remaining tuition fees. Have any of you been in this situation and what support were you able to get?

I think the OP's confusion arises because independents advertise fee support and this seems to make a lot of people think of it as state support. The facts are that for every child that delivers his or her promise at 11, there are at least a million who do not, and financial support is part of the charitable work schools have to demonstrate for tax breaks, not because they expect to be moulding a Nobel laureate, Mohandas Gandhi or similar. I suspect the most of the people awarding the support would find it hard to spot one of those, too.

What you need to understand is that school costs a lot of money. Most of us get it paid for by the state. If you want to go private, then you have to pay, and a scholarship is a windfall, like a discount, but you still have to pay most of the fees. Most scholarships are now nominal, with a generally agreed maximum of 50%. Bursaries are means tested and most governing bodies restrict them to UK nationals. 50% scholarships are one way of supporting non-UK nationals who cannot access bursaries but pass the entry tests.

If your financial circumstances have changed and you can no longer afford the fees, then you could ask for a bursary, or give up the place. Private school is no different from buying anything else. Sellers do not give away their services free, and discounts are limited.

Are you on the waiting list for other state schools that you prefer in your county? You could turn up on the second day of term and see if they have a place, as the waiting lists are lodged with the schools, not the LA once the term has started.

Surprise surprise, op not come back then, did think it was a bit odd tbh.
Are you a journalist op ?

Happygardening I disagree that it is petty and spiteful, I just think the op is being very unrealistic. I am sure lots of parents of level 5 children would love a free private education but it's never going to happen!

There is a problem with Gifted and Talented. That's because most children labelled as such are neither.

They are often able, or clever, artistic, musical, sporty or ahead of their peers. All great stuff but, I suspect, in reality, only 1 in 5 of these children are truly Gifted or Talented and that leaves 4 out of 5 parents disappointed at some point if they truly lap up the G and T tag. That's a pity because the children are probably lovely and doing really well.

DS failed 11+ and is not usually described as exceptionally bright - he will however get 100% bursary at an independent school in September.

I wonder how many of those suggesting OP needs a reality check have any more knowledge about the situation? From my experience of applying for bursaries at different schools, to anyone outside the bursar's office they can appear arbitrary and may bear little relation to the information given on websites and at open days.

Most private schools have charitable status which they justify by a bursary programme which is meant to improve access - OP has every right to try this route.

Well done to your DC in getting the place and the scholarship OP.

I think the Bursary application is the right way to go - I just wonder why anyone would put their child in independent school without making sure they could pay for it / get a Bursary before actually sending their child there.

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I'm with Lillyloo on this one.

OP - this is not something which you can sort out now. The scholarship will usually account for between 5 and 50% of the fees (differs massively between schools and sometimes depending on how many talented kids they have or want to take in one intake) The bursary system can then be used to top up the fees IF the school are desperate for your child. This will only happen if they are seriously academic/sporting/musically talented AND you have very little money/assets. This can be used to top up to over 100% so that you can sort out clothing and travel to school....this is very, very rare though. The other rarity is the 90/100/105% scholarship and from personal experience this only happens for a pupil who they will be able to 'show off' with, e.g. an under 18 English rugby player who will guarantee their 1st XV winning against the other big hitting rugby schools.

Sorry - just to clarify...I mean that it is probably too late for the OP to sort this out at this late stage, although Bursar's work all through the holidays. OP, as Wildcat said it is always worth trying for a bursary, but it is a touch late in the day for it...most bursaries are awarded around scholarship exams any time from January to April.

Might be worth picking up the phone.

I've been getting emails from DC's private schools, so someone is there .

Toughasoldboots - why would a school hand out bursaries for not very clever children? I don't get it. Surely bursaries are to enable those with limited means but with academic/sporting aptitude to attend a certain school?

Hi Lillyloo thanks for your comments but I just want to clarify that I am not angry at state schools. I have always been an advocate of state schools which is why I persisted with them throughout my son's primary school period. In his first and second years of primary school a couple of teachers did advise that he would be best catered for in a private school setting because he was years ahead of his peers Most of his classes had a large percentage of children mocking about and giving the teacher a hard time. Having said this I also spoke to a private school teacher at one stage who advised that state schools are better funded and should be able to accomodate all needs. Out of the 6 years of primary school education, three years were very good teaching, 2 years were spent going over what he already knew and one year was lost due to excessive use of supply teachers. He was years ahead of his peers in year one and by year six he had levelled out with his peers, it could have been worse. A parent I once knew had a son who had similar experience with their primary school, his grades were lower at year six but was fortunate to secure a place in a very good state secondary school where they identified his gifted nature and he made great progress from there on.

Bib youe experience does not sound good at all, and I'm sorry you had to put with that.

But it might be worth bearing in mind that DC who start school ahead of their peers, often don't end up that way. Other DC catch up.

"but you wouldn't order a Porsche with repayments of £800 per month, and then decide after a few months that oops, you can't actually afford it as you don't work - and then ask a bunch of strangers for help to keep on paying for your Porsche - would you?"
Diabolo Maybe Im reading the OP's original post incorrectly but I don't think her DS/DD is there yet. At many independent schools you apply for a place and then if successful apply afterwards for a bursary this is very unfair on a child because he can go through the whole application process get a place and then find the bursary is not large enough to cover the fees. Others are more considerate and even give an indication of the likely size of the bursary before the child has even started the application process.
"two close friends have sons that have just won 100% scholarships to Tonbridge and Sevenoaks school ( with two years at prep covered)."
"not exceptionally bright ( ie not true G&T)"
Toughasoldboots both are very selective Tonbridge in particular is up amongst the top 20 nationally in fact according to the FT 2011 league tables came 8th. the children in question may not be gifted and talented in either of these schools but would be near the top of the intake in a Kent Grammar school.
"why would a school hand out bursaries for not very clever children?" Lettyashton* in less selective school it might be possible to get a bursary if you child wasn't a rocket scientist.

Sounds stressful for you, bib. A lot of children who start off G&T to 'level out' at some stage. Is it possible that this is what has happened? You need to speak to the bursar. If they see something in your child then they will help financially. They do expect you to be broke though, and will want to see all of your accounts.

Ladysybil has made a valid point you have been offered a significant reduction but many schools look not just earnings but assets as well property savings etc are all taken into consideration. The reason I suspect many parents complain they don't get offered as much as they hoped is because they haven't really grasped this.

Please note that I am very grateful to you all for your different views and advice. I have made a note of the points I feel will help my cause and will follow them through. My child has not started secondary school yet as someone pointed out. I am merely exploring all possible options to ensure he has somewhere to go in September.
Please keep your comments coming. Thank you to Wildkat, Toughasoldboots and all those who stayed positive with me.

Tough I am her surprised I know little about 7oaks apart from the fact that spaces are at a premium and it is generally considered certainly as selective as any of the top state grammers. Tonbridge is also over subscribed and it's results the last time I looked (quite a few yrs ago now when I was considering it and also living in Kent) were certainly better that of the well regarded Simon Langton Boys. Of course boys often "mature" later and the fact that you start at 13 may have a positive influence on a child's academic performance in an entrance exam and I think the Pre testing for Tonbridge which is at yr 6 and if my ageing memory serves me correctly is a alot of NVR.

it is completely opaque and whatever they say officially it is all negotiable. I know three children who have been offered 100% scholarships ( non means tested) simply because the school really, really wanted them... it is rare, but does happen.

The amount of a scholarship depends very much on the school I believe at my DS's school its nothing or nominal ditto Eton St Pauls, its a status thing, but they are very generous with bursaries to non scholars. Most school websites will tell you how big a reward a scholarship is.

No OP the don't.

As a taxpayer I am happy to pay for your child's state education, I see it as an investment. In the future I will need doctors, nurses, physios, pharmacists.

I will also be greatful there are people to sweep the road and empty the bins.

I am not however going to subsidise your child's private education. It is your choice to educate your child privately.

BTW if your child is giften why didn't he pass the 11+?