Private school bursaries and charitable status

emsywoo123

pinkclouds wrote: »

. Even if you have the means to pay the full fees, a fee-paying school can still turn you down.

I know, we lost a few after they had been there a few terms for "various" reasons

I just wondered why the OP was surprised that they did not receive a larger bursary.........they are discretionary, and if the school routinely gave out 75% bursaries on the basis of affordability, then I am sure lots more would apply?

onlyroz

emsywoo123 wrote: »

I know, we lost a few after they had been there a few terms for "various" reasons

You mean like kicking them out if their exam results aren't up to scratch, so that they can maintain their place in the league tables? :rotfl:

Angel_Jenny

Some schools have a set upper limit for scholarships. The school I attended gave a maximum of 20% of the school fees for day pupils or 30% for boarders.

emsywoo123

onlyroz wrote: »

You mean like kicking them out if their exam results aren't up to scratch, so that they can maintain their place in the league tables? :rotfl:

They were only about 4 so no

Spendless

emsywoo123 wrote: »

They were only about 4 so no

Was it for their behaviour? My local private school asks for a beaviour report from child's previous school in addition to sitting the entrance test and won't accept a child to start in September if an application has only been made in the summer hols. They want to see the behaviour report first.

OP if you needed a 75% bursary would you have been able to afford everything else that goes with privately educating? It's not just the fees, it's the uniform, the trips, the exam fees, the extras. My son's friend, his parents have just looked round a boarding school for him and his older sister and despite them having 90% of fees paid for them, they decided not to go ahead, for several reasons, but one of them was how much they'd have to pay for 'everything else'.

Find a good state school and top up with extra tuition if needed. Long story but I recently became concerned about my son's apparant weakness in literacy and with Secondary school on the horizon I worried about this having a knock on effect of his stronger subjects of Maths and Science. I ended up paying a private tutor and 4x1 hour session @ £15 an hour cracked it. £60 sorted loads cheaper than private school.

RuthnJasper

ManicMum wrote: »

Hello

not sure if this is correct place to post.

We recently applied for a bursary for our eldest to go to a private school. We were very pleased she was awarded one but it was only 25% of the fees which was ridiculous. They had all income details which with our calculations, would have meant we needed 75% bursary minimum.

Now being a cynic, I know private schools get special tax breaks if they offer bursaries. Do these actually have to be taken up though or can they say 'well, we offered a bursary but they didn't want it'?

After I turned down the bursary with our reasons, I heard nothing more. Hmmm.!!!

thanks

Write direct to the Headmaster with exam results, character reference for your child, and your circumstances. I used to work in a very ancient and famous public school (not Eton, hehehe). Often the Headmaster doesn't make the choice, but is TOLD by the Bursar which students to accept.

I know from personal experience that this can sometimes succeed. In the last similar case I was involved with, the child was the son of a single mother who had come to this country, with not a penny in her pocket, as someone who had lawfully been granted asylum from the most appalling circumstances (NOT that it matters a jot - except to the bigots out there - but; yes: mother and child were black). Against the Bursar's advice, the Headmaster met the mother and the boy and ended up over-ruling the Bursar and championing the cause of the boy.

The young man in question was a complete and utter delight. Popular with his Housemates, teachers, and support-staff and a high-achiever academically. He fully deserved his place and he and his mother (I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with them both) were lovely people.

You could also cc the letter to the Headmaster to the Warden of the school (possibly the details can be found on the school's website).

However things pan out (and please don't forget that the school does not make the child. Many high-achievers never set foot inside a private (public) school.), I'm sure your child will excel in his chosen field with your love and support.

Best wishes. x

RuthnJasper

Spendless wrote: »

Was it for their behaviour? My local private school asks for a beaviour report from child's previous school in addition to sitting the entrance test and won't accept a child to start in September if an application has only been made in the summer hols. They want to see the behaviour report first.

OP if you needed a 75% bursary would you have been able to afford everything else that goes with privately educating? It's not just the fees, it's the uniform, the trips, the exam fees, the extras. My son's friend, his parents have just looked round a boarding school for him and his older sister and despite them having 90% of fees paid for them, they decided not to go ahead, for several reasons, but one of them was how much they'd have to pay for 'everything else'.

Find a good state school and top up with extra tuition if needed. Long story but I recently became concerned about my son's apparant weakness in literacy and with Secondary school on the horizon I worried about this having a knock on effect of his stronger subjects of Maths and Science. I ended up paying a private tutor and 4x1 hour session @ £15 an hour cracked it. £60 sorted loads cheaper than private school.

Wise words. Bear in mind also that children can be terribly cruel - bullying occurs even in "elite" schools - sometimes, sadly, against the scholarship pupils.

I went to an ordinary comprehensive, am proud of my educational background, and have an IQ score of 159. Education IS important - but it's what we go on to DO with that education that makes us who we are.

x

emsywoo123

RuthnJasper wrote: »

Wise words. Bear in mind also that children can be terribly cruel - bullying occurs even in "elite" schools - sometimes, sadly, against the scholarship pupils.

I went to an ordinary comprehensive, am proud of my educational background, and have an IQ score of 159. Education IS important - but it's what we go on to DO with that education that makes us who we are.

x

The children in DD's prep school that receive financial assistance are not known to the rest of us........only the bursars, Head and Head's PA know who they are.......so no bullying for that :0)

melb

that's good - but everyone can see what car Daddy drives and that can be enough to work it out!

Angel_Jenny

emsywoo123 wrote: »

The children in DD's prep school that receive financial assistance are not known to the rest of us........only the bursars, Head and Head's PA know who they are.......so no bullying for that :0)

It was like that at my school but all the pupils talked about it anyway. It didn't bother me that people knew I was on a scholarship. The worst bit was being tested each term to make sure I was "on track" as if your grades slipped for two terms in a row you could be asked to leave. It was really strict.

I agree with the comment about other costs. My school uniform could only be purchased from one shop and just the blazer was £80. School trips would be skiing or other expensive things and there were near monthly educational trips at around £100 each.