Search found 450 matches

by ailurophile
Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:20 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Transport to and from CH
Replies: 29
Views: 5867

Re: Transport to and from CH

I recall that when my son was in his second year at CH he was invited to spend the weekend with a friend in Northampton. I got a bit jumpy about the travel arrangements, as son was typically vague ("I think we're going by train, but I'm not sure..."). As it turned out, there was a continge...
by ailurophile
Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:46 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Thinking about being a hopeful new parent
Replies: 27
Views: 8452

Re: Thinking about being a hopeful new parent

Let me clarify my comments. We are essentially a needs blind institution like Harvard or Yale. This means that when we assess a student the income of the parent is essentially ignored. You only find out if they are the son of a milkman or merchant banker AFTER you accept them. Having sat on an entr...
by ailurophile
Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:11 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Thinking about being a hopeful new parent
Replies: 27
Views: 8452

Re: Thinking about being a hopeful new parent

Onewestguncopse wrote think the following may be useful to you - I speak as someone who works for CH now I might add! 1. As far as I am aware, with the exception of asking for a Governor presentation, the income level of the parent is ignored. If it is above a certain level you will pay full fees. I...
by ailurophile
Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:15 am
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Helpful Tips for New Parents please!!!
Replies: 265
Views: 42474

Re: Helpful Tips for New Parents please!!!

Unlike Lonelymom, I find that my boys appear to use their 'indoor' trainers for all kinds of outdoor sports activity, including the vey muddy steeplechase! But they assure me that outdoor trainers are unneccesary for sport (although they do wear these as casual shoes when they're in civvies). BTW, i...
by ailurophile
Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:59 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Re: Are we alone?

The school's own published data suggests that no less than 20% of current pupils came from independent prep schools, yet only about 4% of families appear to pay an assessed contribution at or above the average cost of a private day school. Doesn't this indicate that some families who have been mana...
by ailurophile
Mon Feb 16, 2009 3:14 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Re: Are we alone?

Lonelymom, thanks for the PM, it was very thoughtful of you. I'm still not very familiar with the Forum, and didn't know where to look - now I've found several messages! With respect to the last few posts, all I can say is that we've always been scrupulously honest (not much chance to conceal any in...
by ailurophile
Sun Feb 15, 2009 1:52 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Re: Are we alone?

Maybe they take into account that while the 2nd child is living at home there are costs involved such as food and transport to/from school. If they then go to CH with their sibling these costs are removed and therefore the family can afford to pay more. However, from September 2009 the 50% for the ...
by ailurophile
Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:36 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Hopeful year 7 parent
Replies: 123
Views: 23680

Re: Hopefull year 7 parent

Congratulations Lonelymom, the fun starts here! And good luck to all those still anxiously waiting, I remember just what it's like...
by ailurophile
Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:28 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Re: Are we alone?

I would assume though, that anyone qualifying for housing benefit would be on a fairly low income anyway, which would surely mean that they aren't paying any fees? No doubt you're right Lonelymom, but if you do the maths then anyone with children at CH will be on a fairly low income once the fees a...
by ailurophile
Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:21 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Re: Are we alone?

How can pension contributions NOT be included in assessed income? Some people don't have pension plans because they can't afford them, and know that they will be living on just a state pension when they are older. But if pension contributions are going to be taken into account when assessing fees t...
by ailurophile
Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:18 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Re: Are we alone?

I feel a bit upset by this to be honest. Of course, I want my son to get in but am now dreading it. The estimate they sent me last year seemed ok but what you are describing is no way to live. It would seem to be though that there must be many more parents out there in a similar position. I dont kn...
by ailurophile
Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:18 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Re: Are we alone?

Spreading the shortfall out over the remaining period of the child's term at school must be a minimum, and given the fact that now students get loans for university, maybe something similar could apply. Your child will probably have a loan for that so we are really talking about the amount of the l...
by ailurophile
Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:38 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Re: Are we alone?

Stellavision, you have identified one of the fundamental problems: any attempt to increase your income will simply be swallowed up by an increase equal to this (or potentially more than, if you have a second child at CH) in school fees! The Foundation have actually urged us to do "whatever you ...
by ailurophile
Sat Feb 07, 2009 3:38 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Re: Are we alone?

Thanks for the replies. It's good to know that we are not the only ones struggling - but it's also worrying. The literature put out by the school still states that 'We strive to make boarding education affordable for parents' and that 'The contribution you would be asked to make is the amount the Fo...
by ailurophile
Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:03 pm
Forum: Parents - Past, Present & Future
Topic: Are we alone?
Replies: 519
Views: 92573

Are we alone?

I’m new to the Forum, which I found via Google. I was actually looking for an ‘official’ forum to try to identify other CH parents who may be in the same situation as ourselves. We have two children at CH, currently in UF and 3rd form, both happy and doing well. However, keeping the children i...