Bursary denied - Independent school Post Reply

[Minastudio]

na

[tooposhtopush]

I can't help but I do feel for you.

I've always thought that the bursaries were a little odd because someone who earns great money for the UK as a whole, say £80k, doesn't have a chance of putting their children through indy school, assuming they have to pay for everything else such as housing, and yet doesn't qualify. It does look like there is a funding gap but I'm not sure who would step forward to fill it. I guess the only way is if your child could get a scholarship?

[Sw11twentyfourseven]

I would recommend speaking to a financial advisor, if you own a property could you release equity from your house?

Sending a child to public school is a huge sacrifice for many parents. You cannot expect the rest of the parents in the class to subsidise your child’s education.

[Abitdotty]

I had heard that at many independent schools there thad been more applications for bursaries/financial support this year due to all the problem that COVID has caused.

[lucy.pite@yahoo.com]

You could try speaking to the school themselves and explaining your dilemma.
If they have space they may prefer to have a child filling the space even at a reduced rate - after all their overheads are largely the same whether they have a couple of extra children or not. Worth a try!

[LMPN79]

I presume you must have just missed out by a whisker. If not, I think you are culpable for considering private when outside your means. I have a household income well past 6 figures and private school is not an option.

The bursary system is there for true lower earners. Not for the squeezed middle!

[Sudifoodie]

I suspect you will have considered this but I went to JAGS thanks to top up help from my Grandman, my Dad's earnings as a single shop owner were very modest.   Similarly my son was fortunate to able to enjoy the same help (they made up the difference on top of what I could afford and I went without holidays, car etc) from my parents and in-law.  It might be hard for the child, not being able to afford the extras, ie the trips and courses but we put up with that.  None of us have ever regretted it and my son's grandparents are incredibly proud of their investment's academic success.  (he went on to Cambridge where he did get a bursary as I was on my own by then and only had a freelance income).

[Scientist]

The scholarship route would most likely have been your best option - if your child is truly exceptional, the school might have extended an offer. The fact that this hasn't been offered may mean that there are no more options for you at this particular school. You are not alone - many people are caught in the "squeezed middle" and there's not much you can do about it.  

The alternative is to consider radical potential solutions.....we have friends who even moved to a different country, partly to address a similar challenge ! Good luck. 

[LMPN79]

Fortunately state schools exist!

Having gone to a highly competitive private school myself, my kids are going state. Private school fees are now astronomical. Back in the 80s/90s, there was at least a hint of normality. The middle class parents of my private school friends couldn’t afford private school today. It’s a pity these schools are so out of reach, along with abolition of assisted places, this only adds to the inequality of education opportunities today.

Can someone tell me why they are SO expensive today?

[Peggy_blu]

I went to private school and my parents struggled financially.

They remind me on regular bases that they regret this decision.
There was lots of pressure and stress in the house to find the funds for the fees. We went without a holiday for years. I constantly felt inadequate compared to my friends lavish life stylish.
You also have to remember it’s just just the fees you have to pay for. You need to plan for extra costs for additional clubs , trips , lunch, music , exam fees , uniform .

If you really want to do the private route , can you move out of London to buy a property the same price for less and then put your child in a different private school. Just an idea.

[Minastudio]

na

[Scientist]

Fortunately state schools exist!

Having gone to a highly competitive private school myself, my kids are going state. Private school fees are now astronomical. Back in the 80s/90s, there was at least a hint of normality. The middle class parents of my private school friends couldn’t afford private school today. It’s a pity these schools are so out of reach, along with abolition of assisted places, this only adds to the inequality of education opportunities today.

Can someone tell me why they are SO expensive today?

I would also like to know.

I would guess that because they are in a marketplace competing for the very best staff, that is one reason. Also, most of them occupy ageing and in many cases listed buildings, which require a huge amount of costly maintenance - and surplus funds to ensure there is always money to tackle unexpected emergencies. They also have massive grounds and facilities which require constant maintenance and upgrading. They are expected to have the latest equipment and technology, which costs more money than most state schools could afford. They are run like businesses because they have to be and they are competing for the global (yes - especially these days) elite, so they can't afford to stand still.

Apart from those reasons, I don't know. But you might as well ask why middle class people can't afford houses in Kensington any more - not 'so' long ago, they could. 
 

[Scottov]

This is something I know a lot about, having once been responsible for awarding bursaries at a leading boarding school

Firstly, the level of support for a day place Vs a boarding place is very different

Secondly bursaries are hard to assess because sources of other support are opaque - grandparents etc

Thirdly, no one has a right to a bursary; it is not enough to not be able to afford the fees. The school has to want you and your child. A bursary offer often reflects where you sit in the pecking order, not what they think you might need. So an offer of 15% reduction of fees is just that, and if you can make it work then great! Scholarships and bursaries are not distinct despite the official line. The former reflects the desirability of the child, and the later who much so.

Lastly there is a huge difference between what one family says they can afford and what another says they can. Schools are acutely aware of this and very jaded by it

The London market is soooooo competitive, but outside of it all a small (very small) number of schools are not recruiting schools where bursaries are a commercial decision

Your best bet is to choose a boarding school out of London, and tell them what you can afford (don’t lie, if you undersell
They will write you immediately). They’re bleeding right now. Counter-intuitively you’re more likely to get a 50% discount from a boarding school than 15% from a London day school

Otherwise you’ll just have to accept that there is no basic right to private education and you can’t afford it.

Many people do sell up and move to the country for this reason. If it matters to you that much.

[Scottov]

Yes, I can tell you why fees are so expensive but you might not like it.

Teacher costs are astronomical and the teachers pension scheme is a black hole

Contrary to what people think, private schools get £0.00 annually from the government. Business rebates are worth stuff all, and few are making profits so tax advantages are nothing

Plus, the costs of fee remissions are very high. A total of 20% of fees is not uncommon - but rarely disclosed. Some schools liked to finagle there numbers

The dependence on foreign, mainly Chinese students is a vicious cycle. They pay full fees to subsidise the domestic pupils who can’t afford it

And lastly facilities - the arms race is mostly over, but many are faced with grand old buildings that are expensive to heat, and cost fortunes to maintain and upgrade

There are still expectations are amongst some parents for the shiniest, newest facilities - ironically from the local families who pay far less the full tariff

Independent schools are not rich. That’s a myth from and for guardian readers

[LMPN79]

Thank you, I really appreciate the responses!

Suspect it’s also a question of priorities. We could probably stretch to fees but I feel it’s a vicious circle. The schools here in SW London seems heavily skewed to be highly competitive and I don’t think it’s a very healthy environment. This is no doubt because high fees demand academic results at any costs. My child would have suited what some of the less academic options were 20 years ago - from the results it’s clear they’ve now also turned into hothouses. I find it really rather sad.

I also have a somewhat traditional view that I’m not willing to be in a situation where I have to work myself into the ground to afford the fees. And what if I lose my job and have to take them out, I wouldn’t expect school to bail me out.