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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

Private school

119 replies

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 07:54

Has anyone ever looked into sending their child to a private school? My daughter is 12 and really not getting what she needs at the local comp. She's extremely intelligent (predicted all 9s and 8s for gcse) and she got one mark from full marks on her y6 sats). Wondering if it would be worth it to apply to a private school for a bursary? Theres an excellent school with an open day next saturday. I'm worried about her fitting in? The school shes in at the minute shes more than the black sheep in class and no one takes their work seriously and are continuously picking on her. We are in talks at the moment about moving classes but they are very reluctant. We also viewed a local technical school (but they have a specialisation in STEM which is what she would need for her future career. This is a free academy but the academic results aren't great. Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 07/03/2017 18:40

"Laughing at you calling posters rude Bertrand, you are one of the worst on private school threads."

Nope. I am never rude unless I have been attacked. And not usually even than.

I am very interested in education and know a lot about it. That's why I post in all sorts of education threads.

mainlywingingit · 07/03/2017 18:46

Yes if you like it after the open day and you think it will be enough for your daughters intelligence then I would.

Not everyone is bulging in millions. Lots of middle class people who have worked really hard or spent grandmothers inheritance on their children's education.

We have a .com multi multi millionaire (sold a famous company) who drives an old Saab and is lovely. Just don't assume everyone will be judgy. Try to pick up on the ethos of the school as the children and parents will probably reflect this.

Sports / music / class sizes will all be a great bonus and private schools generally have more ambitious goals than state. Children want to learn and being lazy is just in-cool.

Please do update us on progress. I have previous career links to private schools and you may get a huge bursary - ask for the highest! 100% if she really is that bright!

BertrandRussell · 07/03/2017 18:49

And there are around 620000 kids at private school in the U.K. Around 5000 of them are on full bursaries. Many schools do not offer full bursaries at all- a couple of old, rich foundations offer quite a few. There are quite often conditions that have to be met, so not all children are entitled to a full bursary even if they meet the income requirements. That's why I suggested the OP look at scholarships too-her dd is bobviusly very bright.

Knowledgablebursaryadvise · 07/03/2017 19:24

Interested Bertrum where you got those figures for full bursaries I'm surprised it's that high frankly.

Knowledgablebursaryadvise · 07/03/2017 19:25

Interested Bertrum where you got those figures for full bursaries I'm surprised it's that high frankly.

Gindrinker43 · 07/03/2017 19:34

Have a yr 7 DS in a small independent school. It's affordable as the Headmaster is sensible about where to source uniform etc. The class sizes are small as DS gets the attention he needs and is catching up with the rest of the class.
Remember she may go from top of the class to further down the class in an independent school as standards do tend to be higher. Go for it, do what you can to help her achieve her potential. The best thing you can do is give the the best education you can afford.

BertrandRussell · 07/03/2017 19:44

Knowledgeable- I looked it up for a thing I was doing. It surprised me too. I can't remember where I found it, but I would have double checked. I'll refind in a bit.

Hoppinggreen · 07/03/2017 21:18

iamastonished DD's school fees are about that ( Pre scholarship) and we are in West Yorkshire too
Another good reason to live oop North!!

Original poster

Looneytune253 · 09/03/2017 07:57

Im getting so nervous for saturday now. Will they look down at us? Will i feel really out of place. My daughter has quite a grungy look but she's going to tone it down a bit for the meeting. I just don't know if it will be right for her? Esp when a lot of the conversation on the phone was centered on money!?!

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 09/03/2017 08:22

Have you rung again to clarify exactly where things stand about money? Because you really, really must before you take your dd to see the school.

And, frankly, if they look down on you for any reason or make you feel out of place, why would you want your child to go there?

Hoppinggreen · 09/03/2017 08:25

Agreed
If they look down on you and you feel out of place then it's not the school for you.
But please clarify is you will be able to send your daughter financially before you go and get all excited.
Private schools are businesses at the end of that day and do a great job of selling themselves to parents and children so chances are you will love it and it will be upsetting for everyone involved if it turns out not to be an option

Original poster

Looneytune253 · 09/03/2017 08:29

I did email the bursar but I'm yet to receive a reply. My daughter is not the kind of child to get her heart set on something though. Im actually fully expecting her to hate it but shes looking forward to finding somewhere shes actually able to learn.

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 09/03/2017 08:47

You really have to ring them before you go.

2014newme · 09/03/2017 09:23

Agree don't go and visit without a clear idea of what bursaries are realistically available. They will be selling themselves I would be surprised if dd didn't like it. You don't then want to have to tell her she can't go.

happygardening · 09/03/2017 09:25

I agree with everything written here. OP unless it's a very small low budget school which O doubt from what you say then it's inevitable that you and more importantly you're DD will be impressed, particularly as most school now have pretty effective marketing depts on an open day everything including the pupils and staff will be polished and shiny and have been briefed on what to say, all the depts will have their best hats on, fun demos, you'll get offered canapés and wine, smiling staff, best exercise books out etc. My DS went to a very big name over subscribed school and they rented fish and plants for a week for open days. You really need to avoid taking your DD unless you've got some indication from the bursar that they wil seriously consider your application.

Hoppinggreen · 09/03/2017 09:35

Also, it's in their interest NOT to give you the financial info up front on the basis that you will fall in love with the school and find a way to pay for it anyway.
At my DD's school they discourage anyone from taking the scholarship if it's the ONLY way the school is affordable so the children don't get their hopes up ( this was from the HT)

Original poster

Looneytune253 · 09/03/2017 12:45

Im not good at phone calls but I've called them and they were really friendly and said they do offer bursaries at any time of the year and any year group. Ironically i then checked my emails and had an email from the bursar saying they would be happy to chat on Saturday. I am trying to dig out the gcse predictions we were given by the school and perhaps her sats results as that may come in useful on the day.

OP posts:

Original poster

Looneytune253 · 09/03/2017 12:45

OP posts:

Hoppinggreen · 09/03/2017 12:56

Are the bursaries based on ability?
I could be wrong but I thought that scholarships are based on ability and bursaries on affordability.
My DD school doesn't offer bursaries except to existing pupils who have had a serious change in circumstances ( usually a parent death) but they do offer 2 or 3 academic/sports scholarships in year 7

2014newme · 09/03/2017 13:00

Op have you worked out what% bursary you need

Original poster

Looneytune253 · 09/03/2017 13:21

Im hoping for 100% but at a stretch could perhaps manage on 75%. As for scholarships all the information I can find online implies they only cover around 30% of fees anyway.

OP posts:

happygardening · 09/03/2017 13:23

Well that sounds promising OP good luck do let us know who you get on.

Hoppinggreen · 09/03/2017 13:43

Good luck OP.
I genuinely hope you get offered what you need but please don't forget to factor in uniform, trips etc. There aren't terrible at DD school but still need to be taken into account when looking at affordability
And remember, if anyone looks down on you THEY are the one with the issue not you

Tatlerer · 09/03/2017 13:44

Good luck on Saturday OP. Please remember that there are all sorts of parents and kids in the independent sector. Yes, some are terrible snobs who would look down on you, many are comfortably-off families who wouldn't make any judgment, some are working parents scrimping and saving everything they have to make the fees. Of course the make-up won't be as diverse as it would be in the state sector, but you have nothing to fear.

Allthebestnamesareused · 09/03/2017 14:06

Good luck - hope it all works out for you.

Although it may make them want your daughter by showing them she is an able student it is also important that you take full details of your income and assets as that is what they will need to give an indication of whether a bursary may be granted. Perhaps prepare a little statement so you have this to hand when they ask about finances.

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