What does it mean to be a full-fee paying at a public school?

[FOtsfdss74]

Dear all,

This question seems not be asked often, and I would appreciate your answers.

What if you received an offer from a top public school which said it would welcome your child as a full fee paying student? So your child will not receive any means-tested bursary or academic scholarships.

Does it usually imply that your child may not be as bright as other children in the school?

Thank you

No, it means that you pay for them to go, like the other 99.9% of the children who go.

No, it just means your child has not been identified as qualifying for an exhibition, scholarship, bursary or any other remittance of the published fees.

Well, it means that they aren't as bright as the scholars, yes. Because academic scholarships are given solely on academic ability.

Anyone else - no: children have to be a certain level, if it's any way selective, to be accepted. A child given a place is just on par with other children given a place. Bursaries are usually means-tested, but not academically selective, other than that the child must meet criteria for admission.

Well, it means they aren't the brightest of all the entrants, but still of selective ability.

I think but I’m not 100% sure: A bursary is for children from families with a smaller income who would not be able to attend otherwise - the amount you get knocked off depends on your situation, it doesn’t necessarily mean your child is exceptionally bright. A scholarship is usually for an exceptionally bright/talented child who the school would particularly like to take a place, irrespective of income.
I know a child who is on a sports scholarship at my ds’s school but they only get a 10% discount off the full price. It’s more of a sweetener/incentive to take a place there I think.
A full-fee paying place is what the large majority of children will be taking.

Relatively few pupils receive offers of scholarships and/or bursaries. Some schools have more endowed funding like the Whitgift Foundation Schools and Christ's Hospital so their proportion may be higher but available funds always exceed demand and tend to be targeted towards those who could not otherwise afford private education but would specifically benefit either themselves or the school community.

It means that they haven’t achieved a scholarship and you either haven’t applied for a bursary or you financial position isn’t deemed suitable for a bursary.

I'm intrigued as to why it matters? What would you do if everyone said, Yes, it absolutely means that your DC would be the thickest child in the school?

You applied for a place, your DC was offered a place. The school and the casual observer might expect you to see this as a cause for celebration. Lots of people will have put their DC forward for a place and not got one, so unless you needed a bursary in order to send your DC to the school, why not just accept the place and be happy?

Did you put your child forward for any particular academic scholarship? If the answer is no then it is standard wording and the school cannot make any comment on their ability. If the answer is yes then they failed to get one and you could ask for feedback on their performance if you wanted it.

It seems these days for scholarships the child has to be outstanding in an area. I had a scholarship (30 years ago) that was 1/3 off fees for 'all round' academic ability.

scholarships are for academic excellence.
bursaries have to be applied for with details of income - if there are more applications than funds then there are various elements in the decision for many schools, including interviews. Others just give bursary support to the highest achievers in the exams, within the bursary applicants.

Expensive! You pay for the full fees without any discounts.

Scholarships are normally given for academia, sports, music (and sometimes performing arts). Usually one would apply for the scholarship, go though the scholarship application process and hopefully be successful. Scholarships are usually a relatively small percentage off the school fees.

Bursaries are awarded on financial need - you have to apply and they will look at things like income, investments, etc.

It is possible for a child you have a scholarship and a bursary at the same time.

If you just applied for a place at the school (not via scholarship route) then this is the standard wording of acceptance to the school. It does not mean they are any less bright than the majority of students. Some schools focus strongly on academics, some glorify DC with strong sports ability, each school has a different ethos and a child who thrives at one may be miserable at another...