HOW WE DID IT

Ben, William and Alexandra Tree attend Langley Prep. Due to a change in circumstances, their father Alex applied for bursaries to top up two of the children’s scholarships. He answers our questions…

When did you apply for a bursary?

We applied for a bursary in 2019 after we received an all-round scholarship o er for Ben and sports scholarship o er for William to join Langley. The bursary was required to top-up the amount necessary to have all three siblings at the same school, as the scholarship funding is limited. The need for the bursary was due to a major change of salary and benefits from working abroad to returning to the UK.

How long did it take you to apply?

The initial application was quite di cult, mainly due to the collation of mine and my wife’s incomes and expenditure information required. It took approximately two days, however the second year, a new template was created and an external service partner cut it down to one day. The hardest part was that the submission timings didn’t line up with the end-of-year accounts of my wife’s limited company.

How much did you know about the bursaries and what did you do to apply?

I had limited knowledge of bursaries, but found out more by speaking with the admissions team at Langley Senior and the prep’s Headmaster. The children were asked to attend school for the day and the two older children were assessed for their sporting and academic abilities, general politeness and interests to see if they aligned with the school’s values.

Do you have bursary provision for the entirety of your children’s school life?

The bursary is managed on a yearly basis and is subject to changes of circumstance.

Did you apply for a bursary at another school, or just to Langley?

We applied to another prep school in Norwich and Langley; unfortunately, that year the other prep school withdrew their scholarship and bursary for sport. The di erence in the children’s ages also restricted some possibilities.

How di cult was it to secure the bursary?

From the deposit of the paperwork to the response, it was easier than expected. The assessment of the children and views of how they would fit in and benefit the school was really based internally within the school. All I, as a parent, could do was to add a letter to describe why Langley would be a good fit. I explained my situation and how the continuation in independent school education was a must for me and for all my children.

What qualities do you have to have to consider applying for a bursary?

You need to demonstrate that your children’s education is paramount.

What impact has receiving a bursary had on your family?

The bursaries given to the children have allowed them to be full time students at an exceptional school and participate in all activities

I EXPLAINED MY SITUATION AND how the continuation in independent school education WAS A MUST FOR

ME AND FOR ALL MY CHILDREN

and sports available. If it was not for the bursary, one of the children would have to miss out on education at an independent school and this would have an e ect longterm. At the moment, with the top-up, all three children are able to enjoy the school, remain in independent schooling and fortunately continue a family tradition.