Private school bursaries

Imposter67

I would like to press the issue but am scared if I do I will compromise my son and has chances. So I'm stuck....

whitewing

Imposter67 wrote: »

I would like to press the issue but am scared if I do I will compromise my son and has chances. So I'm stuck....

I understand your concern on this. However, in my own dealings with the private school my son goes to, with whatever issues come up (financial, academic, social etc) what is best for the child is always the main concern. So if you do make a polite and assertive fuss and they look into it, I am sure that the final decision will be made according to how well your son will fit in there, considering his circumstances. Have some faith in the system.

twig1_2

Imposter67 wrote: »

I would like to press the issue but am scared if I do I will compromise my son and has chances. So I'm stuck....

There shouldn't be a problem just asking them what the criterea is and whether it is possible for you to apply for next year as you didn't understand the system this year. They are all pretty desperate to get fee paying children in the school as many of their guaranteed admissions have dropped with this recession hitting the professional classes as never before so can't see them withdrawing his place.

If you don't ask you will forever be upset and angry . I would think it is much easier to deal with if you know whether you would or still could be eligible.

You must be really pleased he passed the exam.

Imposter67

Thanks for your advice and maybe I am just being cynical. We obviously have no chance now of being considered for a bursary but, being a little uncomfortable to start with the idea of private education, this hardly creates a feeling of trust in the school.

Imposter67

Thank you Twig1, we are really pleased he passed the exam. Do you think I should ask them to clarify where it says bursaries are awarded on academic performance in their literature? This really was not made clear as they claim.

I take your point about the recession and this is what I have argued with my partner about, to call their bluff and say we will attend but want at least a chance to put our case. We were always told we could see the Head anytime but the office told me this week he was really busy.

twig1_2

Imposter67 wrote: »

Thank you Twig1, we are really pleased he passed the exam. Do you think I should ask them to clarify where it says bursaries are awarded on academic performance in their literature? This really was not made clear as they claim.

I take your point about the recession and this is what I have argued with my partner about, to call their bluff and say we will attend but want at least a chance to put our case. We were always told we could see the Head anytime but the office told me this week he was really busy.

I don't think your sons academic performance is the point. You didn't apply for a bursary so they haven't even considered you with the people who did. Even if he had got the highest score they wouldn't have offered you a bursary they would have offered a scholarship. With limited funds they probably did take into account need and performance to give the greatest assistance to the best performing but you unfortunatly wouldn't have even been on the list.
Leaving pupils is a big difficulty with these schools so you may have a chance for getting a later funded place but you will need to discuss this with them. I would have thought talking to the bursar was the way to deal with this. The head won't have as much knowledge about the schools criterea or chances of funds becoming available.
One thing with sending him there and then applying for help is that they will know him by then and will more than likely be more favourable to your application if you have a good relationship with them. You will be a customer then as well remember this is a business afer all and they don't like losing customers either.
Good luck with whatever you do. Your son has done really well so don't let this spoil it for him.
I don't know what the state schools are like locally but most education professionals believe the top 5% do just as well in non fee paying schools anyway.

Imposter67

Thanks Twig 1, I like your point about getting in the door and then discussing it perhaps at the end of year 7 when they know my son better.

This idea of school being a business is a bit new to me and hopefully I'll be able to play it better for my son's sake once my "green days" are over.

Appreciate all your advice. Of course my son's academic performance is not the point, it is that the bursary application process and criteria are opaque and consequently, we did not get a chance to apply...isn't "transparency" supposed to be the rage now?

silvercar

Make an appointment to see the head. Tell the head you are seriously considering his school but money is tight and this influences your decision. Ask if there is any opportunity for help. Let the head then tell you what options are open to you.

jc24965

A bit late I know but a bursary is to provide financial assistance and a scolarship is for academic achievement.

A bursary has nothing to do with academic achievement and it is calculated on the income of the parents.

There is a limit to the amount the school can lend as there is only so much available in the pot. The government do provide financial assistance to some private schools to enable them to provide bursaries. If they didn't, state schools would be even more overrun.

Don't forget that parents of privately educated children still have to pay full council tax (which includes an element for education) so I guess that's another reason why the government financially assist private schools.

Voyager2002

Basically, fee-paying schools are for those parents with more money than sense. They operate as businesses, of course, so the only reason for offering bursaries is when there is a good business case for doing so: that is, a bursary enables them to attract a child who will make the school look good and so help them to attract more fee-paying pupils.

Anyway, after this experience I hope you will tell this school where to stick its place and instead become concerned, involved parents at a nearby publicly-funded school. If you are willing to spend a modest amount of money (a tiny fraction of what you would have spent on school fees) on supporting the school and perhaps paying for additional lessons and out-of-school activities, you will not only give your child a better education than could be provided by most fee-paying schools but also do a lot to help raise standards at your chosen school.