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Secondary education

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Original poster

Boarding school

30 replies

Duva2017 · 23/08/2017 12:20

Hi, I am looking for a boarding school for my 15 year old that is not overly priced. The ones I found are at least 9k a year. Is there any cheaper option?

HELP?

OP posts:
LIZS · 23/08/2017 12:26

State boarding? Even then it is probably no less.

PotteringAlong · 23/08/2017 12:28

I don't think you're going to find a boarding school in the U.K. For less than £3k a term. And if you did, would you want to? It's not a service you want on a shoestring.

Allthebestnamesareused · 23/08/2017 12:29

£9k a year for boarding is incredibly cheap!

Most will charge £15k plus just for the tuition side of things before you even add the boarding element.

Why do you need him to board? If he is about to go into year 10 then you need somewhere quick and as I understand it many schools teach the gcse courses over 3 rather than 2 years now too.

PotteringAlong · 23/08/2017 12:30

www.insidermonkey.com/blog/10-affordable-boarding-schools-in-england-346935/2/

I've just found this, but none of these are less than £9k

LoniceraJaponica · 23/08/2017 12:33

The private schools round here charge more than than for day school. I would be very worried about sending any child of mine to a boarding school that operates on such a shoestring.

Gruach · 23/08/2017 12:34

Could you give more details?

Really not sure £9k is a realistic sum for a year, unless heavily subsidised. Less than £200 per week? For everything? (I'm not forgetting long holidays but everything has to be retained and ready for the following term ...)

Are you in the U.K.?

titchy · 23/08/2017 12:47

Fuck me £9k a year is an absolute bargain! You won't get cheaper than that. In fact it's so cheap it would make me question the quality of provision to be honest. Beware what you ask for...

Hoppinggreen · 23/08/2017 12:48

My daughters day school is that and we are in Yorkshire so pretty cheap
Doubt any half decent boarding school would be so cheap

CruCru · 23/08/2017 14:45

Where are you? There are schools in the U.K. that offer bursaries - but how much they offer would depend on the school and how well off you are.

What are the reasons for wanting your child to go to boarding school?

Gruach · 23/08/2017 15:11

Although I doubt that many (any?) schools have bursaries available for 15 year olds. (Are most yr 12 bursaries attached to scholarships?)

moralberyll · 23/08/2017 15:25

That is cheap, are you in the UK? What type of boarding school is it, for example is it a specialist dance or music school? I was under the assumption that boarding was at least 25k+ per year!

Original poster
Duva2017 · 23/08/2017 16:02

I am based in Reading. My son has been attending school in New York. How do you get a bursarie?

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 23/08/2017 16:03

Why boarding school?

Ttbb · 23/08/2017 16:07

I would caution you against using one so cheap.

PotteringAlong · 23/08/2017 16:10

Bursaries are usually means tested and will have a low threshold of income. Scholarships are also available but they will be based on ability and may not be for very much money.

Is there a reason why he couldn't go to a day school in reading?

hesterton · 23/08/2017 16:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ImaginaryCat · 23/08/2017 17:10

Your choices are going to be immediately limited by schools who will accept him midway through GCSE. Even if he goes back a year and starts from the beginning many will be reluctant because he's coming from the US and will therefore have followed a very different curriculum.

If money is an issue, there are lots of independent day schools around Reading. Does he have to board?

YellowPrimula · 23/08/2017 17:12

every boarding school I know is more than £10,000 a term not a year , do you mean a day place at a school that has boarding?

Mellington · 23/08/2017 17:14

If you find a good boarding school for less than £9k a year please can you let us know where? Even the state boarding school near us is more than £9k a year.

CruCru · 23/08/2017 18:04

Are you originally from the US or another country?

Please could you tell us something about your son? I know that he is 15 - is he extremely academic, musical, sporty or creative? Is there a particular reason you would like him to go to boarding school?

Senior schools in the U.K. either start at age 11 or 13 - quite a few do some sort of selection process (so for the schools that start at age 13, perhaps an interview and a pre test at 11 then common entrance at 13).

As your son is 15, he will have missed that process so as well as wanting a school that would offer a bursary, you want one that has a space. I think that you may want an educational consultant - however, you will have to pay them (no idea how much they cost - they probably vary in price).

Zodlebud · 24/08/2017 08:53

Are you sure you haven't misread and it's £9k per term? So £27k per annum. Seems much more likely.

LoniceraJaponica · 24/08/2017 08:54

I did a quick google of boarding school fees and they avaeraged out at about £9k a term

BasiliskStare · 24/08/2017 09:48

There are significant bursaries at some boarding schools for 6th form entrance . £9k per year for a ( private) boarding school ? , I think you have misread something. Or , you haven't , but need to understand that is very , very low as a price compared to most which typically are £30k + p.a.
" How do you get a bursary? " ring the admissions dept of schools , which after research you think would suit your son , and explain your circumstances. They are very helpful.

cowgirlsareforever · 24/08/2017 09:50

It'll be £9k a term. I don't like boarding schools but even I would be tempted if they were £9k pa Grin

LemonBreeland · 24/08/2017 09:50

I agree with previous posters that £8-9k a term is more realistic for boarding.

Most days rates for private schools will be more than £9k a year, especially senior school.

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