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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Finishing (not starting) Year 13 support thread (number 5!)

999 replies

Littleham · 22/04/2015 21:58

Exam season starts....

OP posts:
Mindgone · 07/05/2015 23:39

DS1 is self catered and has managed fine on £60 a week for the last year, with occasional top ups.

Original poster
Littleham · 07/05/2015 23:46

Probably pans out to be the same as we don't do any top ups and she pays for everything (clothes, food, trips) out of that and still saves for the year abroad.

OP posts:
Decorhate · 08/05/2015 06:49

Can I ask if the amount you give your dcs is on top of the maintenance loan or have they used up the loan for their accommodation costs?

mumslife · 08/05/2015 07:23

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NiceCardigan · 08/05/2015 08:09

DS's maintenance loan won't cover his accommodation so we'll be covering the extra and then giving a monthly amount on top of that.

GypsyFloss · 08/05/2015 09:05

We're just having the same money conversation here. DD has firmed Durham too and will get the basic living allowance. I can't decide whether to fund the accommodation completely and let her live off the allowance or to use it toward the accommodation , topped us by us and give her an allowance for living costs and if so, how much.

AtiaoftheJulii · 08/05/2015 09:20

I've said it before, lol, but at the risk of being boring, we are planning to fund accommodation (four children, massive variety of accommodation types and costs in our future!), and let the kids live off the maintenance loan.

NiceCardigan · 08/05/2015 09:21

DH has a spreadsheet somewhere that works out how to give the DCs the same amount of spending money after accommodation so no doubt that will come out after results day! Durham accommodation is very expensive in the first year so we need DS to use the loan towards it. We are helping DD2 with living costs while she does a masters course as well so it's going to be a very costly year. I'm just thankful that DD2 had turned down the London course that gave her an offer and instead has chosen one in a very cheap city.

NiceCardigan · 08/05/2015 09:34

Everyone does it differently you just have to work out something that works for your family. The DDs liked having monthly payments because it helped with budgeting.

AtiaoftheJulii · 08/05/2015 09:41

Yes, I have a spreadsheet, with many columns, colour-coding, and messages to myself!

mumslife · 08/05/2015 17:34

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Decorhate · 08/05/2015 18:21

I think for us it may depend on whether she goes to her firm or insurance as to how we do it. Rent probably cheaper at firm but living costs higher as self catering not an option.

mumslife · 08/05/2015 19:12

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circular · 08/05/2015 19:27

Just caught up on thread.
Well done Nicecardigan to your DS and Fairenuff to your DD

Accommodation costs looking most expensive on DDs firm (could be as much as £6k for s/c , depending which choice she gets.
Still not sure which way to help support. In some ways simpler for us to pay accommodation and let her live off the loan. But then again, that means she will have to budget termly, and not the best organised. May be simpler for her if we topped up loan to cover accommodatiion, paid for initial outlays then gave a fixed monthly or weekly allowance.
Understand they need to learn to budget, but monthly/weekly income more on par with the real world.

circular · 08/05/2015 19:27

Just caught up on thread.
Well done Nicecardigan to your DS and Fairenuff to your DD

Accommodation costs looking most expensive on DDs firm (could be as much as £6k for s/c , depending which choice she gets.
Still not sure which way to help support. In some ways simpler for us to pay accommodation and let her live off the loan. But then again, that means she will have to budget termly, and not the best organised. May be simpler for her if we topped up loan to cover accommodatiion, paid for initial outlays then gave a fixed monthly or weekly allowance.
Understand they need to learn to budget, but monthly/weekly income more on par with the real world.

circular · 08/05/2015 19:32

Mumslife think they can request same flat, but may be too late if already applied.

DD also knows 2 going to her 1st choice. One quite a good friend from school. Another more of an acquaintance, but on same course.

mumslife · 08/05/2015 20:27

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Original poster
Littleham · 09/05/2015 10:27

York's accommodation ranges from £4000 - £6000 depending on what she gets allocated. RH is from £3000 - £6000.

Good news for dd with her History. Coursework is back and she has worked out that in order to get an A overall she only needs to get a D or higher in the A2. So hopefully one of her target grades is achievable. Shame the offer isn't based on one A Level!

We went to see Far From the Madding Crowd at the cinema as a treat.

OP posts:
AtiaoftheJulii · 09/05/2015 10:37

circular yes, I've been thinking about the budgeting issue ... my kids get a monthly allowance, so they're used to that, but termly might be tricky. I thought we could just offer them the option of giving us a chunk back for us to give back in the coming months.

Fairenuff · 09/05/2015 12:04

Oh Littleham that's great Smile

Dd's loan doesn't quite cover accommodation (£600 short) but she is going to use some savings to top it up. I've offered to give her a weekly allowance but at the moment she wants to try and get a job and pay her own way. No doubt she will change her mind but I'm hoping that we might get away with giving her about £50 a week with odd tops ups if/when needed.

circular · 09/05/2015 12:09

I presume there's possibly a cash flow issue with the accommodation costs (or at least deposit) being due before loans come through. Or is that where the interest free overdraft is supposed to come in?

Original poster
Littleham · 09/05/2015 12:16

My dd1's first accommodation payment didn't have to be paid immediately (first payment was middle of October). Most people had their loans before having to pay the bill. Hopefully universities would be understanding if a loan hadn't come through.

OP posts:
mumslife · 09/05/2015 12:53

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hellsbells99 · 10/05/2015 08:37

I am pleased to see the discussion here on finance as we are not sure what to do. Initially, I thought we could pay for the accommodation and let DD live off the loan but after reading previous posts I think DD would struggle to budget termly. I think it may be better for DD if she pays the accommodation with a top us from us, and then we give her a monthly allowance. She does have some money saved up which will pay for the 'extras' like freshers week, train fares to visit friends/boyfriend at other unis etc.
I think DD is getting bored of revising! She is certainly not as focused as she was but 1 of her written Empas was a disaster this week. She went out last night (but home by midnight and no alcohol) so hopefully may be more switched on after the break.

Original poster
Littleham · 10/05/2015 11:06

Road closure. Well the people in charge of highways are still going to close the road between my house and the school for an entire week. However they have now agreed to let the school bus and residents gain access, so whilst I have to allow for up to half an hour delay (!!!) I will still be allowed through the block. Apparently I have to ask the permission of the workmen.

I can see this going horribly wrong. Dragon

Does anyone know the position if the worst comes to the worst and we are late for the exam. Will dd still be allowed in?

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