Private Education on average income? Anyone else?

ManicMum

hello

I am debating whether to apply for a bursary for my daughter to go to a private school. She may have Attention Deficit Disorder (being assessed) and the smaller class sizes would be beneficial to her, I think. We are on no more than £30k a year between us and have 3 children.

We have been told by school most people get 25-50% bursary. We are not sure what to do though. We have low mortgage but planning to move next year to bigger house so outgoings will go up. School takes that into account though so they said we would get more help if mortgage increased. However, it will still be a fair whack each month. And want to be fair to all of the children. I know it could be justified to the other two on medical grounds for the first one but in our hearts, not sure if we want do it. I wanted to send her before but now deadline looming, I am getting cold feet.

Also will be two lots of hassle dealing with different schools - running about and parents nights, school events etc. Do I need this? I am also thinking about saving for retirement. Don't want to sound selfish but can't make our money stretch to everything. We are pushing 40 and only been going on our pension a few years.

Anyone else swapped to private ed on a less than fab iincome?

Opinions welcomed!!

Gingham_Ribbon

What are your local schools like? Have you spoken to the heads and SENcos about how they'd accomodate her needs?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Honestly? Unlikely, to say the least. DD was offered a place at one of the best schools in the country, having been assured that there would be a full bursary if she were offered one. Went through all the paperwork, fees for entry exams, registration, etc, solicitor visits for sworn affadavits, blah, blah, blah, confirming an income of under £12,000 pa.

Not a single penny offered.

cheepskate_2

We do it, pay full fees of £8000 a year on not a top class income
I agree with bursarys, but sorry not when you want to upgrade to a bigger house. if you can afford the bigger house , then you can afford the fees. Stay put in smaller house and leave the bursary for someone who really needs it .

bylromarha

I fully admire my old Teaching Assistant.

I taught her son in primary. He was above average ability. She knew he'd not get the push he needed in secondary, so her and her OH decided that they'd live like paupers for the next few years in order to pay for a private education for him. No bursarys, nothing.

Her OH worked on the track at the local Peugeot factory - and got laid off like 2300 others in 2007. He scraped whatever work he could get to find the fees.

The son, with the smaller class sizes, did far better than he would have done in state education IMO, and has just finished his first term at a top uni. I asked the TA how he was getting on and know what she said? "Can't believe it, setting him up at uni was far cheaper than autumn term costs"

They holidayed 1 week every summer in Weston Super Mare, they rarely bought themselves any treats. Son was only child, so I guess that made a difference, but for that family it was a priority and has made me realise that a private education really can be bought on a small salary if you fully commit yourselves to meeting the costs.

whitewing

Private schools can be great for building confidence.

Is DD being bullied or do you just want to get her educationally more advanced?

If she is happy not in a private school, then you could look into getting a private tutor or something, maybe even for all your children, and with more controllable costs.

I disagree with the comment about a bigger house and therefore not needing a bursary. My opinion is that if you qualify for a bursary then you qualify.

inkie

Our eldest DD was offered a place at a top selective girls school after getting one of the highest makes in the entrance exam. We were hoping that she would get a significant bursary - in the end were offered 25%. Would still have had a significant amount to find.

In the end we decided against it. We have another DD and it would not be morally right to send one and not the other.

Lunar_Eclipse

We're going through the admissions process now and plan to switch to the private sector next year, for secondary schooling. Whilst our income is much higher than 30k, it's not enough to send two children privately.

DD2 is exceptionally bright, so I'm hoping she will be offered a scholarship and then bursary assistance. But I'm not counting on it; we're going to downsize our house. Our local school is excellent (according to Oftsed!) but it's of paramount importance to me that they spend the next 7 years in the best environment possible, which is not at the local school.

You have to decide what your priorities are. And what you will do with your other children. Personally, I think it's incredibly unfair to give children vastly different (educational) opportunities. There is no debate that a class size of 20 is always better than a class size of 34, just ask any teacher or Head (as I have done; they all think large class sizes are an issue, regardless of gender, ability or special needs.)

julie2710

I am a single parent and although my income is above the average, I pay my mortgage on my own and have to pay for child care for my other son. To be honest I would do what ever I had to to keep my son in private education and ensure his brother follows on.

The class sizes are much smaller, 12 children with a teacher and a teaching assistant. They have far greater opportunity than the local state school. He is a very confident little boy who is very bright and becomes easily bored so the constant challenges harness this.

The other benefits are that I can drop him off early and he has afterschool club which enables me to continue to work full time.

I never considered apply for a bursary to be honest. Good luck with whatever you decide. I think the important thing is finding something that will suit the needs of your DD and the rest of the family.

Counting_Pennies_2

Can you not look into having a dedicated TA for your daughter in main stream schooling?

I know of many people who have special needs children, they are assigned a full time or part time TA to sit directly with them and give them that one on one attention that is needed, this is all done in main stream.

You have to fight for it. You need to engage with the right professionals, and keep fighting, but surely that is worth it to avoid private fees and dragging her out of the environment she already knows

nearlyrich

I have always thought that bright children will do well whatever the school they go to, I was thinking about sending DD private when she didn't get a place at the local selective grammar but decided against it, she went to a local comp and ended up Head Girl and as she is only one school year behind her brother was glad to get a chance to be herself not XX's sister.Like most things in life you can chose how you spend your money but it's a big committment and it's nice to treat all the children the same in my opinion.