Bursary/Assisted place/Funding for Private school

[1Brummiemummy]

Please can anyone help? My DD has been offered a place after sitting the entrance examination for a local private school. I had a visit from the school bursary however we received a letter Christmas Eve stating we’ve been unsuccessful in gaining any sort of financial assistance. My question is what should I do next? I really don’t want to give up this opportunity for my daughter lightly. Should I phone the school when they’re back open? Should I ask if there is a reserve list or beg for reconsideration? Does anyone know of any charities or places that fund this sort of thing? The school is outstanding and has good amenities, it would be a privilege to send my DD. We have until March to accept or reject the place. My DD is currently in state school & literally had less than 2 months prep so she’s done so well, I feel like I’m letting her down if I can’t get the funds. She loves the school too :-(

The letter said requests for bursaries far exceed what they can meet with the pot.

Don’t beat yourself up OP I don’t think you did anything wrong ultimately it’s a number crunching exercise: bursary applications = X £s bursary pot = Y£s oh dear we can’t offer everyone a bursary therefore some won’t get one. I think they asked you if you had any support to see if there was any other way you could raise money towards the fees probably knowing even at the meeting that they didn’t have sufficient funds or don’t do bursaries of the size you would have needed. Lots of schools don’t interview parents they just look at the application form and the figures.
With regard to boarding you cannot expect a 10/11 year old whose been at a state school and who probably knows nothing about boarding or anyone whose been to a boarding school to make an informed decision. Go to an open day at Christ’s Hospital what have you got to loose go with an open mind look at the things they offer how boarding is organised their ethos (it’s definitely a marmite school boarding or no boarding) then you can both make an informed decision even if it’s I wouldn’t ever send my child to a boarding school. The other thing I would look into carefully at Christ’s is how many children they take at yr 9 I think their biggest intake is at yr 7 and at yr 9 most will have come from the independent sector how many applicants for each place?

OP, just to say you certainly wouldn’t be letting your Dd down by not being able to send her to private school!

If she is bright and hard working, the next best thing she needs is your time and support, not you stressed and working non stop overtime away from her to keep up with rises in school fees, extra curricular costs, extortionate uniform costs etc.

Good luck in your move.

Thank you to everyone who gave us well wishes. My daughter has since been offered the place with 100% Bursary. We are overwhelmed & very excited. Bouncing on the bed moment

Congratulations Brummiemummy, that’s amazing! No fees! How exciting!

Thank you crazycrofter grinning from ear to ear! You’ve been on this journey with me from the start so thank you for all your advice.
Because you’ve experienced independent school on a full bursary are there any extras I should be aware of other than music lessons, trips abroad, lunch & transport to & from school? I don’t want to come across ungrateful, I’m far from it, couldn’t be more appreciative. I just want to be prepared for the road ahead. Especially having the shock of the uniform cost at this early stage. Again I’m not complaining, just preparing!
My daughter is so happy

We haven’t quite got a full bursary -it’s about 75%. But at our school, if you’re on a full bursary you also get free meals and help with transport, uniform and some trips so check out whether your daughter’s new school offers the same!

If not, we found that meals were the most expensive extra as they’re not cheap. Compulsory trips (day ones) are included in the fees anyway although may not be at your school. Uniform was expensive but not massively more than at ds’ grammar and the cost was offset by the option of buying second hand so check out whether they have a second hand sale too. I bought big too so only replaced items for the first time in year 10 and she’s still in her year 7 blazer!

Huge congratulations Brummie, you must be overjoyed!

Oh okay apologies I got it wrong. Ours doesn’t quite cover everything but some. After the initial first lot of uniform I will definitely be routing through the seconds pile as soon as I get the chance ha ha
Think I’m just a worrier incase I've missed anything.

Absolutely poshpenny very much so

Thank you for your advice Jenfromtheglen. It’s good to hear others take advantage of it too. I’ll definitely consider it.

I know how you feel. I remember DDs letter coming through and I literally jumped for joy!

We are 95% and pay roughly £100 per month to cover trips/lunches/extras as well as our 5%. Music lessons are also around £10 per week but that's optional.

The uniform is not much more than the local state schools and the chap in the uniform shop was really helpful and looked out for a few bits for us which saved a bit.

Sometimes I still have to pinch myself!

Sorry I mean £100 in addition to the 5% of fees. That does include various decent day trips and a week on a camp in Spain!

I actually did pinch myself the day I found out My dd has never been abroad, better get her passport sorted I’m hoping to fit a trip abroad as a trial run before she goes with the school.

Thrilled for you both x

Thank you singingismypassion x

Hi @1Brummiemummy

I came across this thread as my DD is in a similar situation we have received 2 fee paying places but she has also been placed on the bursary waiting list for these schools. I know the the thread is Olaf but wanted to find out if you didn’t mind sharing the details of bursary scheme you mentioned to see if we could get some help or be pointed to another source. How did you got on in the end. Hope you don’t mind me asking you.

@Char02 are these birmingham schools? My dd was in a similar position a couple of yrs ago.

@girlsingreen
Thank you for your reply. These schools are South East London. Did your DD end up getting a bursary offer in the end?

Yes she did @Char02! Didn't think she would as we needed a full award..On National offers day opened the email to say she had a place at first choice grammar, by midday the Independent phoned to say she could have the bursary - but I needed to let them know by the end of the day & get all finance records up to them by the end of the week.
Hold your nerve - lots of movement on National offers day .Fingers crossed for you both

@GirlsInGreen
Great news! Yes, very much praying for a miracle and hopefully all will go well! Thank you