School fees

nh

I don't know much about independent school funding but I went to a comprehensive school that had a rubbish 30% pass rate at GCSE (5 A-Cs) and I got 6 As, 1 B and 1 C, then I went on to the local grammar for my A Levels and got an A and 2Bs, then I got a law degree and now I earn £30k+ as a journalist. I am 27.

My fiance's cousin went to the local independent school (which has a difficult entrance exam and gets top results) but couldn't be bothered and got no qualifications and now still lives at home with his mum and has no job. He is in his 30s.

Another of my fiance's cousins got a scholarship to the independent school mentioned above and did brilliantly but hated it cos she wasn't rich like all the other kids and they picked on her.

Just saying that you don't have to go to an independent school to succeed, and even if you do it is no guarantee. And will your child be happy there?

I sometimes wonder whether money for school fees might be better spent elsewhere like on educational trips or maybe a private tutor.

backhander_2

Good luck with the finances (we too could be going there shortly - we're still waiting for exam results - trying to keep stress levels below extreme) but watch out for all the "incidental" expenses from independent schools - they can add up to a vast amount per term - especially if your child is able to sign for things which then appear on your bill (as a ghastly teenager I did this myself with no thought for my parents' struggles to pay).

Jdubb

Tks for that and I've taken all of that into consideration; hindsight is a wonderful thing but for now I think it may be our best option.

Jdubb

Tks for that - not having been there myself will definitely watch out for the PPs!

Jdubb

Tks for that - isn't it frightening that the so-called choices we have are sooooooo limiting!

Savvy_Sue

backhander wrote:

watch out for all the "incidental" expenses from independent schools

like socks at £7 per pair

kissmekate_2

Hi there

I started looking into funding for schooling and was pointed to this publication every time. I believe it details all the bodys' willing to fund individuals and how to apply. I know that Birmingham central library carry's a copy so I would guess that others may well. Im afraid I havent looked at it myself but good luck


http://www.dsc.org.uk/acatalog/Funding_for_Individuals.html


regards
Kissmekate

Jdubb

Tks for that will give them a try!

Jdubb

Your area sounds a bit like mine however my daughter had to sit a whole day of tests for the independent school's exam - so it wud seem they only take the best, but who knows - whereas she only sat for 2 hrs ish for the grammars. Having been offered a place we don't get informed of her ranking so it's not really an indication of how she'll have done for the grammars because many of my daughter's peers, who are academically less able, sat the test but who are likely to get a place simply because of siblings or where they live, so much for the validity of a test huh!

I didn't enjoy putting my daughter through 2 days of testing and trying to explain to an 11 yr old how it might all shape the rest of her life!

It's all such a miserable game isn't it - I am, at least, grateful to have to only play it once!

Jdubb

Tks for that. To be honest I had previously assumed independent schools took anyone who cud afford their fees. We're holding out to see what happens in the grammar tests but that's a different ball game again and I wish we didn't have to play it.

I wish someone had said to me during my pregnancy "worry about schools", instead of night-time feeds!