Amaya Lewis-Patel, 13, is a Year Nine pupil and bursary recipient at James Allen?s Girls? School, London. She and mother Monica discuss the application process and how she qualified for it
When did you apply"
Amaya: I was at JAGS Prep School and I think I must have started the process during the summer term in Year Six ? when information was sent to me by the secondary school ? about Year Seven.
How much did you know about the bursaries on offer at Jags and what did you have to do to apply"
Monica: I knew there were bursaries on offer, as I know that most fee-paying schools offer them. I needed to fill in some basic paperwork about my financial status and then submit documentation to support it. There was also a brief meeting with the Finance Director at the school once the offer was confirmed, to talk through how the bursary would work, what would be covered and how payments were made ? which was helpful. Above, Amaya Lewis-Patel with her mother Monica applied for a bursary to senior school
Do you have the bursary provision for the entirety of your school life"
Monica: The bursary is assessed every year, at the end of the school year, and in preparation for the next, in the event that your circumstances have changed. The level of bursary you?re offered may then also change ? it could go up, it could go down.
Did you apply for a bursary at another Senior School or just to JAGS"
Monica: Just JAGS ? we weren?t considering an alternative school for Amay...