How do you finance private school?

Auzelia

the private school near me has a bursary scheme
http://www.glasgowhigh.co.uk//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46&Itemid=97

for parents who have difficulty and for children who pass the exams.

Spendless

Lunar- how old are your children?

IF I'd wanted to send mine privately, I guess I would have funded it by only educated them privately for their secondary years. Gone back to work once it was profitably for me to do so (either as youngest got the funding for 3+ or as she went to f-time school) and put my wages to overpaying the mortgage. That would have given me 4-5.5 years before private education started. Then my wages could have funded one of them and the no longer paying (or having reduced )mortgage fund the other.

Have you got girls? Don't know how this school compares to others you may have looked at.

http://www.royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk/Admissions_Fees_Scholarships/School_Fees.php

Lunar_Eclipse

Spendless wrote: »

Lunar- how old are your children?

IF I'd wanted to send mine privately, I guess I would have funded it by only educated them privately for their secondary years. Gone back to work once it was profitably for me to do so (either as youngest got the funding for 3+ or as she went to f-time school) and put my wages to overpaying the mortgage. That would have given me 4-5.5 years before private education started. Then my wages could have funded one of them and the no longer paying (or having reduced )mortgage fund the other.

Have you got girls? Don't know how this school compares to others you may have looked at.

http://www.royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk/Admissions_Fees_Scholarships/School_Fees.php

I have two girls, aged 7 and 8 (nearly 9.) We are currently saving to reduce our mortgage.

Technically we could afford the fees for one child and there are options to up our income. But it would still be very tight, involving sacrifices in other areas and God knows how, when or if we could afford to retire (seriously.)

I haven't found any schools offering a 50% scholarship like the one you included. But as I mentioned earlier, we may choose two different schools for our girls. They are both bright academically, but there the similarity ends. One goes to school to learn, is mature and serious, plays music and would love to go to a single sex school. She finds boys incredibly annoying and would be best suited to a classically academic but very caring girls school. The other is sporty, competitive, arty, outgoing and finds school incredibly easy (Sept born) that she goes for everything else. She says she wants to go to a girls school (I've asked them both separately), but has many male friends that I think would be better suited to a co-ed with excellent sports/arts facilities.

Lunar_Eclipse

k1mmie wrote: »

My son attends a catholic state comprehensive. However was playing a rugby game against a private school. The coach approached my son at the end of the game and asked if he was interested in coming to play for their school. He said no thanks.

That Sunday a couple of the lads from the school, approached my son at the rugby club they all play for and said the coach was offering a 100% scholarship if he accepted.

I had a discussion with him, and he said he was happy where he was.

So there are other scholarships out there. Alternatively if it is an option find a good state school. If your child is bright they will succeed wherever they go!

His peer group is probably his world at the moment and it's great that he's happy where he is. But that doesn't mean he couldn't be even happier. This opportunity may not be for him; or it could literally change his life.

I would encourage him to visit the other school, just to see what is on offer. He may choose to stay at his current school, or he might decide to seize the opportunity. I would never turn down an opportunity without taking a good look at what I'm turning down.

Just my thoughts.

poet123

I agree,it is worth a look. I have children who wereeducated instate schools and also in private schools(from choice). We funded from income and an insurance policy which matured.

Strangely,both kinds of schools produced almost identical GCSE/A/AS level results,and achieved the same offers from the same Universities!! On paper therefore it may seem as if we wasted the fees,but that school suited that child and therefore he thrived,so we dont feel that way.

We currently have one more very academic child in the state sector,who is identified as gifted and talented,and who is being encouraged to excel and who loves his school. So for him the state sector is working,if it wasnt we would go down the private route.

No_Future

- Look into academically strong but cheaper day schools e.g. 3-4k per term
- Help develop your children's talents e.g. sports/music/academia as there are scholarships for these
- Some schools offer discounts if you send more than one child there
- Get a part time job in school e.g. receptionist - may have big discounts

omelette451

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I wouldn't say it provides an excellent foundation, but that is me being subjective. [...] My reference to narrow curriculum was referring to our obsessive focus on Maths & Literacy, particularly in primary education. But then comparatively little focus on sport, art, music, critical thinking etc. [...]
But I do understand the point you are making.:) And I can see the benefits of continuing in the state sector but being able to afford any extra curricular activities they choose (music lessons etc) and travel that we all enjoy and to some degree need because my husband is from the other side of the world. However your reference to toffishness and elitist backwaters doesn't help, whether or not this is from experience or perception.

I was wrong to make generalisations, and yes I did choose my words badly, but I won't apologise for believing that by their very nature private schools perpetuate unfair elitism.

I don't much like talking about myself, but perhaps my story may help to understand where I'm coming from. I went to an ordinary school, worked hard, did well, and went on to study at a 'top' university where a large proportion of people came from private schools, and it's this experience on which I base my argument, my 'prejudices' if you like. Many of the people I met were actually quite resentful of the fact that they had been pushed into things by their teachers and parents. They hadn't been allowed to think or choose for themselves, they really had no idea about real life or how to integrate (or even deal pleasantly) with people 'below' or different from them, and they often struggled because they carelessly spent too much money. Finally being 'set free' they cast themselves loose, forgot why they were there, and ended up with considerably poorer results than those who had had to work hard to be there and had the motivation to knuckle down properly. There were exceptions of course (on both sides), but on the whole mentality and outlook were completely different, and not in a good way. It made me really appreciate the different attitude among my teachers and parents: we were able and encouraged to think and choose for ourselves and were given the freedom to develop individually. There was plenty of support, but it wasn't overbearing. The curriculum was varied enough, and there was certainly decent coverage of all the subjects you mention. I would agree that the primary curriculum is too focused on literacy and numeracy but once you get to secondary school that problem by and large disappears. Sport wasn't forced on us every day but the opportunities were certainly there for those who were interested, as were music, drama and other arts, etc. I used the term 'excellent foundation' precisely because I think it was: everyone I know who has left has landed on their feet and really enjoyed what they went on to do, whatever that happened to be. It is a little harder now I have finished studying and am trying to find a job without an 'old boy' network but frankly I couldn't care less: I know that wherever I go in life will be as a result of me and what I have done, not because of a network of contacts and a lifestyle my parents 'bought' for me.

In your case, you said the private school actually has worse results than the state school, and it's obvious you'll have to make serious changes to your lifestyle to send your kids private, so again I think it's a no-brainer. In my opinion sending them private risks closing doors, whereas state education definitely won't (if they have the right support at home, which they obviously do). I've hoped I've helped you in some way, but I'm not feeling particularly eloquent today so I'm sorry if I haven't made much sense.

looby-loo_2

mdean wrote: »

Apart from mixing with a range of different people

As I said in my first post:-
Although some parents are rich there are lots of parents are in a similar position to us making sacrifices.

lex

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Not near enough to get in. I actually put our names down at one before the kids started school but was told that even then, the 'catchment' for day pupils was 1/2 mile since they are set up for boarders (originally and still primarily for Forces' children). I heard a couple of years ago that it was already more like 1/4 mile. We're a lot further away than that!

But I really appreciate your helpful input. Thank you.

Hmmm....sounds like the rather popular school in West End...

lex

Lunar_Eclipse

omelette451 wrote: »

I was wrong to make generalisations

I'm thankful that your opinions are based upon experience, as opposed to purely perception.

You are right that it is a no-brainer for us, yet I can't help the way I feel. I'm not pro private and anti state education. I'm passionate about education and would like more freedom of choice in the type of education and environment my children are educated in. I really think it helps shape the adult they grow into.

Our local private school, which I mentioned had poorer results than our state secondary, promotes freedom of thinking and a creative curriculum in a way that our local school can't. But it has never been a serious contender since my children are bright, so I would probably choose a school where a very high percentage of exam results are A grade. But to be clear, this is my base line "given" expectation, I am not trying to buy them good exam grades or any particular lifestyle. I would be choosing a school on what else they can offer, how the kids and staff interract, how much attention is given to non-academic aspects, such as how they handle behaviour and cultivate respect and tolerance of differences etc. I'm comfortable that my children could get good enough exam grades wherever. And am not pushy in this regard. I'm not interested in elitist hothouses with an air of arrogance and pupils prepped heavily for exams, in fact this is completely what I do not want. But there is much more to school than learning the basic subjects, behaving in class and doing homework for fear of detention. I hope that sort of explains what I'm looking for. I suppose an environment of learning that is close to our personal family values. How often do we need to remember algebra vs problem solving and critical thinking; that kind of sums it all up for me. The years before a person reaches 18 are so important.:) Anyhow, that bit had nothing whatsoever to do with financing it all! :rotfl: