Private School Fee Reduction?

Lunar_Eclipse

RoxieW wrote: »

My point was that our 'low' income was not considered low enough to qualify for the fee reduction so therefore the school obviously thinks we should be able to afford it.

Schools don't actually think you can afford private school fees on that level of income, however bursaries are generally intended for incredibly bright people from very low income households whom would never set out with such middle class educational aspirations for their children. We're in the same boat Roxie, neither rich enough to afford it nor poor enough to qualify for help.

A girl at 'our' school has just started at a top 10 private school on a scholarship/bursary deal that covers all the school fees. She comes from a single parent family; the Mum works part time in Tesco and they live in a council flat. She scored the highest mark on the school's Entrance Exam, very bright but from a comparatively less fortunate background than most (probably all) other children at the school. Typical bursary scenario.

3plus1

dollydoodah wrote: »

But surely on an academic bursary, he would be restricting places for gifted children who couldn't otherwise afford to go to the school - something which the OP said he didn't want to do.

There tend to be two types of bursaries: one that is income dependent and another that is all about how smart the child is. I think you're mixing the two up?

easy

Just joined this thread, as I'm looking into possible bursary help for us.

My son (aged 10, in year 5) is VERY bright, but having trouble at our local primary because of bullying , which has gone on at a low level for 2 or 3 years now. He gets bullied because I'm disabled, so they pick on him for that, because he has slightly odd shaped feet, and because he can be persuaded to lose his temper after enough goading, which they all find incredibly funny.

We have worked with the school over all this time, helping DS to manage his temper issues, but the school don't seem able to put a lid on the low-level constant abuse he gets. I'm told this is likely to be the case in almost any state school [sad], just cos of the number of kids they have to manage (current school quite a small one, 280 kids in total). It is affecting DS's self esteem, and he is starting to resent going to school (I'm surprised this hasn't happened sooner).

We have found a lovely little private school, and would like him to go there (hopefully joining in January, and staying until he's 16).

We are on a moderate income ATM, cos I've been working part-time whilst bringing up DS. We couldn't manage the fees without some help, altho I have started to apply for FT jobs. It's a bad time tho, and my disability does still put me at a disavantage (legislation CAN'T change people's gut attitudes).

So I'm casting around for small trusts and charities that might be able to offer us a top-up bursary. I will ask the school themselves, but want to do my homework first.

Does anyone know of any sources at all? I have asked the Educational Grants Advisory Service.

Dinah93

Might be worth starting your own thread Easy so more people see your question

iolanthe07

since when was 40K a 'low income' anyway?In terms of affording a private education, £40K is a low income.

gazelle8760

Lord_Blue wrote: »

Thanks. What's the etiquette of negotiating on fees? We went for a tour around the school with the head and when I tried to raise the subject of fees he pretty much skirted around the issue. I realise it's the bursars place for this, but not really sure how to approach it.

I'm not being funny, but I am getting two kinds of messages here:

You can afford to send them both you state, yet

You want to negotiate the fees, surely if you have to negotiate fees, one should be asking the question, whether one can actually afford to send them both at all?

Is it any wonder The Head was skirting around the issue, he probably thinks the same thing, but "etiquette" dictates he cannot say, what he is actually thinking.

To coin a phrases: There's nowt so queer as folk.

SingleSue

I had thought I wanted to send my 3 boys to a private school because of what they have to offer but I must admit to having second thoughts now.

Obviously the bursary would have been my way forward but I am much too shy/full of pride, to ask for that sort of help.

The reason for my change of mind? A wonderful state High School that is very forward thinking, proactive in the help for gifted children and the willingless for them to listen.

The snob/middle class part of me would still like to send them private though.....

RoxieW

iolanthe07 wrote: »

since when was 40K a 'low income' anyway?In terms of affording a private education, £40K is a low income.

I did say that we couldnt afford the fees on the income so I know that. But I dont think it would generally be classed as a 'low income' for one person. It's certainly not classed as a low income by the schools themselves or for any other purposes - benefits etc etc so I wouldnt class it as such.

Rikki

To give you an idea of the cost of senior school fees at present. These are the charges for my sons old school now. £15,045 a year for day pupils.

Termly Fees from September 2009:
Day pupils £ 5,015.00
Weekly boarders £ 7,400.00
Full boarders £ 7,400.00

I would always look at the final last years fees you will be paying to see whether it's worth starting out along that path. You have to take into consideration the cost of uniform and all the extras you will need to find the money for. It is very expensive with or without a bursary which is normally 50% of the fees maximum.

Fees – include provision of most text books and exercise books, facilities for games and most activities.

Extras – other costs incurred by the pupil or the School on the pupil’s behalf will be charged as extras.

Edit: You pay for all the exams too - GCSE's and A levels.

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

I think you are thinking 'bursery' and 'scholarship' - two different things! Burseries help lower icome families, while scholarships are offered in later years to high end performing students, these can inclued sports, academic subjects, art, music and any more

When we lived in Croydon there was just one school i would have dreamed putting my daughter in and that was 'private'. I applied, even with the fact we were on 'lowish income' and she was excepted with a fairly high bursary. However luckily we moved to a much better area in terms of education recently (best move of my life) so even though i lost my deposit (she was due to start sept just gone) we can now send her to a state school that is very high in the tables and has alot activity wise to offer.

It is possible (not sure i would now with 2nd child on the way though) - you should be given bursery forms to fill out (and and info pack) and they will get back to you and let you know what you are entitled to if anything with your application reply. You may lose a £50 or so deposit if you chose not to take the place but in my opinion actually going through the proccess is the best way to find out. The information pack should give you a chart telling you what incomes generally get what but you have to remember the burseries are limited and certainly not guaranteed

Good luck!

In my opinion though if the local state schools are good i'd stick to them, if the 'private' school is the only high end school about then by all means go for it! Just remeber that when sending your child to private school, their activities generally cost more that do at state school. Also they tend to have regular holidays which you will have to pay up for It's a matter of weighing up the pro's and con's if you consider yourself on a tightish budget. You wouldn't want your child to miss out throughout the year!