HBS VS UPTON COURT VS LATYNER UPPER

[Hbs2ndstage]

We got some Bursery for Latymer Upper but worried that we will not be able to afford Latymer Upper in case they take the bursery away. Its 7 years of secondary education and I dont want to risk taking her out in the middle if they reduce bursery and we can't afford it. Has it ever happened to someone before?

My first choice is HBS as I won't be worried about fee as it's free school if she gets admission. In case we don't get HBS, our choice will be between Latymer Upper and upton court Slough.

She will get 100% in Upton court but school is not nearly as good as Latymer Upper or HBS.

Which one would you choose please if you had these 3 options.

Many thanks.

Which order did you put them on your CAF? If you put HBS first and don't get that you may (or may not) get Upton Court. You won't get a choice between the two on March 1st, you will be offered one school. Where do you live that all of these are an option? What other schools did you put down?
If you can't afford Latymer Upper it's probably not really a viable option.

HBS 1st option and will go for it if given

Upton court 2nd option

latymer Upper didn't go on CAF as it's private school.

We can afford it with partial bursery and would rather send her there but worried that they can withdraw bursary at any point in next 7 years and we will lose Upton court as well and she might end up in a state school and we don't have any good schools nearby.

Hi@Hbs2ndstage well done! Re bursary, unless you have a huge climb in earning I doubt it will be taken away. They are meant to be really good in terms of bursaries. Good luck whatever you decide. You can always accept if you can afford to forgo the deposit and hold out for CAF.

They won't withdraw the LU bursary unless your financial circumstances change.
Where do you live if you're considering a school in Slough? Won't LU be a tricky journey?

Upton court and HBS is even 25 miles apart, but it is very common for girls in Slough to take 11+ for HBS, year after year.

I meant what did you put after HBS & Upton on the CAF? I know that Latymer is private. HBS & Upton are also state schools, just like comprehensives are.
The bursary will only be taken away if your financial situation changes. I imagine you have to be assessed each year.

Was just wondering if anyone got bursery removed by LU in past. We will be moving house wherever she gets it. Be it HBS Slough or LU. We even got Colyton but thats last option

I’ve had 2dc at LU. Great school. Congratulations. I can’t see them taking the bursary away unless you had a substantial increase in earnings and could afford fees, bursary ethos is very important to the school. if you want reassurance call them

PS I have never heard of anyone having their bursary taken away, and I’ve been associated with school for more than 10 years now

Hi@Jonqul I wonder if you would mind providing any insight to LU. Is it very diverse and cultural mix? We are considering it v Merchant Taylors. It seems so large also. Do you have any insight to pastoral care also? Any input would be really appreciated

I can’t compare it to another school, obviously, because I have no experience of them. It is a large school, but I think that’s an advantage because everyone seems to find their type of people. I know friends who have DC at smaller schools have complained that everyone goes with the herd because there’s nowhere else to hang out. Diverse – obviously it’s a private school, but the bursary programme does make a difference to the mix, I can’t remember the exact number of the top of my head, but something like 25% of the children are on bursaries, many of these are full bursaries. The goal of the school is to make it completely needs blind so any child who wins a place can go regardless of the financial situation.. My children thought that made a big difference to the feel of the school, it is certainly very down to earth and unpretentious I it’s culture.

As you would expect in London, all nationalities and cultures are represented, again – this is not an inner-city comprehensive, but my children have definitely noticed how other comparable schools seemed much more homogeneous.

Pastorally, I’ve been incredibly impressed. One of my children was very ill and the school’s support was extremely impressive. Any phone call or email I’ve ever sent in this regards was returned within a couple of hours at most and I was given plenty of time, with numerous future check-in from the staff .The teacher seem to really know the children was individuals and want the best for them.

LU and the incoming year 7 are not doing GCSEs, so do consider if this is a game changer.
Bursary can change if your financial changes on an upward trajectory. I am sure the paperwork would clearly state this or ask LU?

It says 2024 only. So got me worried.
Also it's partial bursery and I can see 20% increase every year in their fee for last couple of years.. If labour comes in and puts another 20% VAT.. we won't be able to afford even with partial bursery.

Going away from GCSE is another factor against LU.

Tough choice.

I would really appreciate if someone has been on full bursery or same amount of bursery throughout to comment here if possible.

@Jonqul thank you so much! Really helpful information

I think many schools will follow the GCSE removal trend.

OP, you need to call the school to ask. I don’t think anyone here can comment on someone else’s situation as they will all be individual cases. The school is very good at communicating

Spoke to School and they said it's every year they check incomes. Very re assured that I will rule out Slough Schools and choose between Latymer Upper and HBS. Still leaning towards HBS as GCSE and incoming VAT are frightening me regarding LU.

My daughter got an A Level offer from HBS, but she got St Paul's Girl too, I am struggling for our consideration, anyone have advise if my daughter plan to study at Engineering area, will HBS have stronger in the field of science area ? Many thanks

Which school were you offered on Friday?

Upt9n court

Which one did you go for?