Scholarships & bursaries

susancs

judygarland wrote: »

Thanks for all of the replies. DD is just desperate to move schools and start afresh and after a bit of reading up on the internet, I'm not so sure that private schooling is the answer. I'm definitely thinking of getting an English Tutor as I am not at all happy with what her school are currently doing. She is at the same level she was at in year 6. We have a parents evening coming up and so I will be having a chat about the standard of her English. I look through her books to find uncorrected spelling mistakes. In my day, your work would come back covered in red pen.

I'm glad of a two week rest from all the trauma of going to school.

OP, in regard to your daughter's English grade remaining the same as her KS2 grade, we were told by our children's secondary school that there is often an initial dip in in English grades when in KS3 (years 7-9) as the skills required for the same grade at KS3 are different in that they require more analysis and critical thinking. The national average grade expected at the end of year 8 is 5b so your daughter has exceeded this with a 5a.

A friend of mine who is a secondary school English Teacher explained that they do not correct all spellings in red pen (as they did in our day) as it can be very disheartening to a child if their work is mainly full of these corrections, especially if the content is good. She tends to praise the content and verbally comment to the child that they need to watch their spellings, showing them some common spelling mistakes they have made. This seems to work as I know my friend usually has pupils who do very well in GCSE and A level exams.

Just thought I would mention the above so you have this information for your upcoming parent's evening.

quinechinoise

judygarland wrote: »

Are there any forum readers that have managed to get their child into a private school with either reduced fees or 100% funded?

My daughter's school does offer 100% bursaries. However, as far as I'm aware, only one child at the school has one - and I've no idea who that child is, just that a full bursary was awarded. We have a tiny bursary, that barely covers all the insurances and extras - ON TOP of the fees. (In effect, our "bursary" means we are still paying the advertised school fees. It's amazing how all the extra essentials add up.)

You have to do a full financial disclosure every year. And applying for a bursary doesn't mean you'll get one or that you'll get a full bursary. The school can give priority to whoever they want to give priority to. That might be local kids, not necessarily just "poor" kids or "clever" kids.

It's always worth jumping through the hoops because if you don't ask then you definitely won't get. However, you will not be the only family chasing that elusive bursary. Scholarships are sometimes easier to get because they are awarded on merit. However, they will only cover part fees - they can vary from around 10 to 50 percent, depending on how generous the school is.

If you feel your daughter is sufficiently bright enough to pass a scholarship exam, then that could be a good route. If she's awarded a scholarship, you could also apply for a bursary and they might be more inclined to award a partial bursary to enable her to use the scholarship award. Maybe.

The bullying and social difficulties will not help your case. I'd emphasis her inclusion in the G&T programme. Schools want assets.

There are other options to consider too. From homeschooling to switching to college at 16 (for Highers/A-Levels). She doesn't have to be stuck in that secondary school forever, even if you can't get her into a private school.