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Advice please (Tipsy?)

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:00 pm
by Hector
Tipsy, in a recent post you mentioned e-mailing Pates re a late application. Is this a normal practice, are schools receptive to applications even after reg deadlines, exams and results are out?
As you all know I am new to all of this and I now feel that I have made some wrong decisions for my DD.
When we were originally viewing schools there was one in particular that both myself and DD really liked. However, its reg fee was high, there was an additionally fee for CE (an exam of which we know nothing) and there apppeared to be no bursaries except as top-ups to scholarship holders (of whom, my darling DD is not likely to be). I regretfully rejected the school at this point as it appeared max input for smallest chance.
Also the school is day/boarding and people suggested that as a day girl, DD would miss out on friends and activities. On reflection I'm not sure that would be true as she would still have ten times what she has now!
NOW, however the school has introduced a new bursary scheme, from which it seems DD would be eligible for a full bursary without needing to get a scholarship.
Is it too late to go back to the school, and if not, how do I go about it? I am not confident on the phone,(generally I'm quite shy and not good at asking for things or help). Also I don't know who I should be speaking to- the Head, the Bursar or the Registar/Admissions. Is e-mail ok?
I feel terrible that I'm floundering and letting DD chances slip away.
Ps, how do I add emoticons?

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:10 pm
by T.i.p.s.y
Hi Hector,

In theory it is never to late. I would send a detailed email that you think the school is excellent but you discounted it initially because they did not seem to offer bursaries. Ask if there is any chance that they can assess DD and your income. Is DD at state school and this is why you do not understand CE? If so you need to mention this as often they give state school pupils papers in English/Maths and VR only.

Do not worry about a day pupil at a boarding school. They have the same friends and it is not a problem. I am so nosey - please pm me the school if you feel you can! :wink:

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:38 pm
by Milla
(as for emoticons - just click on the one you want :D as and when you want it and it'll hop across. It will appear in a text form in the typing-in box and then as a jolly yellow face when you press "submit".)

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:45 pm
by Hector
Yes, DD is in a state school. What other subjects do they normally test for in CE, as she has done no languages to date? :(
DD is a quiet, but very friendly girl and I don't really have worries about her ability to make friends wherever. :)

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:47 pm
by Hector
Thanks Milla :)
IT WORKED :lol: :lol: :lol:
I could go emoticon-crazy :roll:

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:48 pm
by mad?
Hector wrote:Thanks Milla :)
IT WORKED :lol: :lol: :lol:
I could go emoticon-crazy :roll:
you will woohoo!! :lol: :roll: :idea: 8) :? :o :) :D

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:49 pm
by Milla
oh, yes. Life will never be the same again, and a whole lot yellower to boot! :lol: They're ghastly little things but useful to show you're trying to make a point without putting the boot in! :lol:

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:56 pm
by T.i.p.s.y
Depends on the age. At 13+ it is French, Latin, Hist, Geo, Science etc and at 11+ I think CE is Eng, Mat, Scie but don't quote me on that.

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:05 pm
by Hector
So I guess that means not many come from state system at 13+, as few state schools do latin and in lots of cases would only have 18 months of french under their belts.
BTW, DD is at 11+ stage, but if we miss out here it could be a hard push to 13+ :(

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:09 pm
by zee
T.i.p.s.y wrote: Do not worry about a day pupil at a boarding school. They have the same friends and it is not a problem.
Maybe, maybe not.

I was a boarder at a school that was about 50:50 day and boarding pupils and there was very little overlap. We shared lessons with day girls, but most of the big bonding experiences were separate (partly because the house system comprised several houses of daygirls only and several of boarders only), especially weekends.

At recent reunions (in real life and on Facebook), several people have observed how different were the experiences of day and boarding pupils.

It's also noticeable that most of the boarders have stayed in regular touch with several boarding friends over the last 20+ years, whereas most of the daygirls had lost touch with most of all of their day friends.

Of course my experience may not be typical, and it was a generation ago, but I would be wary of being a day pupil in a school that was predominantly boarding.