Re cars, the usual phrasing on bursary info is that regular purchases of new or luxury cars wouldn’t be in keeping with being awarded a bursary. There is no suggestion that people shouldn’t have a car or a holiday. I think it’s luxury holidays that are referenced, along with significant home improvements.
So yes, essentially they are saying that a bursary isn’t there to subsidise a luxury lifestyle.
As a PP mentions, the bursary has allowed them to send their kids, but the a,out of fees they are still required to pay has meant they have had to remortgage and release equity from the hosue. That’s as it’s meant to be….it makes it possible if parents make sacrifices. It’s there to help those who without the bursary, even with all the sacrifices still couldn’t afford it.
Home visits tend to be for larger % bursaries.
And it’s true that old, established schools with foundations can often offer more. However, given that boarding can exceed £40k now, very generous bursaries are needed…75% bursary could still mean needing to find £10k per year!
Remember, people may qualify but because funds are limited and applications so high in many places, only those gaining top results in entrance exams will get offered the bursary of a size big enough o make it doable. It’s worth having a go though, but also realising that many people are disappointed each year….not because they don’t get offered something so much as what they get offered isn’t enough to allow it to happen still.