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Secondary education

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

Original poster

School fees help!!!

119 replies

squirrel35 · 22/03/2019 23:12

Hi all
My son has been awarded a music scholarship and with that and what we can afford we can cover 80% of the fees. Any ideas if there is a anyine else I can apply to? My son is so desperate to go and he would gain so much musically from it but I just cannot afford the extra 20%
I have spoken to the school but they can not offer anymore as they already gave us a bursary as well
Anyone have experience if this??

OP posts:
shatteredandstressed · 23/03/2019 17:23

@RupertStJohnPoo not implying you are exaggerating but having put 2 DC through 15 years of private education to date, the extras are nowhere near what you state. In fact, they are on a par with state school extras. The uniform is usually more expensive but that doesn't need replacing every year; and there's usually some part of the uniform that can be bought in M&S for example.
You'll have to find a way to increase your income by £3000 per year to cover this OP.

Original poster
squirrel35 · 23/03/2019 17:26

These are all fab ideas and lots of things to think about.
I think the last comment about not applying in the first place is nonsense. I have not set myself up I knew this was going to be a challenge but one worth fighting for.
Everybody should be able to try and you never know with funding
I’ll stick with my plan and keep looking but I do thank you all for your comments.
My son knows the situation and yes he would like to go but also he would be happy in the state school we are on the list for. I’m not entirely sure how wanting the best for my son makes me a school snob! And yes you can succeed wherever but you cannot deny you will get a better education with a class of 12-15 than 30+

That is s super idea about the day music on a Saturday there is a music college not far from us so I will look into this as well. Thank you

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 23/03/2019 17:27

Could you get an extra job ? Pay rise ?

Have you other kids to consider ?

Bookworm4 · 23/03/2019 17:36

We all want the best for kids but not by begging/borrowing and getting into debt for it. Your other kids will go without for their brother this will only build resentment. If a child is able to excel they will do it regardless of class size, plenty go to private schools and do nothing with their education; it's not a guarantee of success.

GeorgeTheBleeder · 23/03/2019 17:39

If a child is able to excel they will do it regardless ...

This is a pile of tosh. Always. There can be a million reasons why a talented child fails to thrive. There's no reason on earth why a parent shouldn't seek out a place they think will bring out the best in their particular child, if they possibly can.

Lightsabre · 23/03/2019 17:40

Thanks Becles!

Bookworm4 · 23/03/2019 17:48

@george
It's not tosh, in this case they've applied to a school they can't afford which in itself is daft.

Abra1de · 23/03/2019 17:55

If schools offered such high bursaries as suggested by another poster there would be two types of pupils—very rich and very poor. The parents in the middle would be priced out by the fee increases needed to pay the bursaries.

shatteredandstressed · 23/03/2019 17:58

@Bookworm4

Just be thankful you live in Scotland where school education is generally of a much higher standard than England. That is why everyone you know goes to their catchment school.

The vast majority of the secondary schools in the English county I live in, achieve a lot lower than the UK national average for 5 GCSEs above Grade 5. The schools that are at / above national average 5 GSCEs are vastly oversubscribed in our county/ city.

I can fully understand why OP has gone down this route and hopefully she'll be able to make it happen for her son.

GeorgeTheBleeder · 23/03/2019 18:46

If schools offered such high bursaries as suggested by another poster there would be two types of pupils—very rich and very poor. The parents in the middle would be priced out by the fee increases needed to pay the bursaries.

This is a very common complaint! And possibly increasingly true. I suggested to the OP that she might have gone better at another, wealthier school. 20% of those at our teen's school are on some form of bursary; 75 of those (number not percentage unfortunately) receive 100% (or more). This is for staggeringly high boarding fees.

So yes, you need to be either very rich or much too poor to find full or partial fees.

GeorgeTheBleeder · 23/03/2019 18:47

(done better, not gone better ...)

AwayToday · 23/03/2019 19:02

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

Parsley1234 · 23/03/2019 19:15

Keep going ! Your shortfall is not excessive I’ve done it I’m on the down turn now 3more years to go on a bursary. We were offered same bursary for boarding or day. It’s been a struggle but I’ve done it and you can too. Think how you can make extra £ each month be creative good luck !

Smileymoon · 23/03/2019 19:21

'Every child deserves a good education'. An interesting thought from somebody thinking of getting into the private school system where 'every rich child deserves a good education'.

VanessaShanessaJenkins · 23/03/2019 19:25

Ignore the rubbish about extras op. I went on one trip abroad with school which was to France and affordable. Every child in the year went. I never went on the ski trips, history trips or sports tours but nor did most of my friends! Out of a school of over 1000 only 30-50 would go on trips like that so the majority of the school wouldn't be going!

Could either of you apply for a new job/ promotion which offers a little more money?

Matched betting with very little effort will cover your shortfall nicely. You can make a lot more with a lot of effort but if you are already working full time you would not want anything time consuming.

42isthemeaning · 23/03/2019 19:26

I think it really is worth writing to well know musicians to ask for help as a PP suggested; what have you got to lose? A friend of mine did this twenty years ago when she wrote to a famous British film director/actor. He also happened to be coming to her city for a film premiere. He agreed to meet her and the local paper carried a story. He then made up the shortfall to allow her to go to a very famous drama school in London. She even ended up working with this person and has now just released her own film as a director!

WoWsers16 · 23/03/2019 19:28

Have you looked at all your bills? I went through mine last week and looked for better deals and ended up saving £120 a month! So well chuffed with that.
I hope you manage to find the extra- it is hard and I agree everyone should have the chance! My sister in law is at chethams at the moment and has come on so much xx

nzeire · 23/03/2019 19:44

Wow! Congratulations to your son! And well done you, for doing your best to make it happen!
We are not high earners, and for us to have something around the price of your shortfall each year, that I desperately want (overseas holiday if you must know), I work a second job on a Sunday, sometimes a Saturday to. It’s tiring, but I know the end goal is something I reall, really want!
Of course you can do it!!!!
Good lucj

mrsm43s · 23/03/2019 19:55

Evening job? Release equity? Downsize? Sell car? Cut back on groceries/bills? Move to cheaper area? Take in foreign students?

You're short around £200 a month. I'd say it is doable if you really want to, but you'll have to make some major sacrifices. Not sure if I would think it's worth it in your situation, but if you are determined, then I'm sure you'll get there. Good luck!

SukiPutTheEarlGreyOn · 23/03/2019 20:01

Help musicians org has a list of charitable institutions which assist young musicians of school age.
www.helpmusicians.org.uk/get-advice/funding-careers/young-musicians-under-18/young-musicians-under-18

BertrandRussell · 23/03/2019 20:07

Have you thought of Chethams?

smallereveryday · 23/03/2019 20:47

Turn2us

Put it into google . It assesses benefits AND grants. Put in your specific details ie music , and see who will make grants.

Original poster
squirrel35 · 23/03/2019 21:34

I have gone over all my bills and outgoings which are small anyway. We are not extravagant, we know where every penny goes.
We did look at other private schools with bigger bursaries but we just felt they were not right for our son. I feel it’s much more important to get the right school for the child. This school was so down to earth and was just lovely!!!
I cannot thank you all so much for all the lovely comments and support and all the tips.
I will be back on this tomorrow and more emails, letters and more thoughts needed. Thank you all again

OP posts:
linoleum · 23/03/2019 21:45

While small class sizes can be amazing if your child needs extra help, they aren’t always great for clever kids - sometimes a bigger pool of talent is useful. My eldest would be by far the brightest in our local private boys school (he knows a lot of the boys from sports), which would not be good for him at all as he’d coast along. In his (admittedly excellent) state school he has a lot more competition and is more pushed. Can you move to a better area OP? If you spend a fortune on education all you get at the end are exam results. Spend the money on a house in a better area for schools and at least you have a house at the end of it!

GeorgeTheBleeder · 23/03/2019 21:53

If you spend a fortune on education all you get at the end are exam results.

Oh, but you know that's not true! Why would you even say that?