SCHOOL FEE CASE STUDIES
The following are brief case studies of some children who have benefited from the School Fees Grant Scheme. To protect confidentiality, names and other potentially identifying information have been changed.
ROBERTA'S STORY
Roberta’s mother, Celine, was adopted by Mary and Adrian when she was six weeks old. Always a difficult child, as she reached adolescence, she began to have a series of relationships, giving birth to Roberta when she was sixteen.
Celine lived a chaotic lifestyle and eventually Social Services approached Mary and Adrian and asked them to act as foster parents to Roberta, then aged two. After careful thought, they agreed to do so, and, with the support of Social Services, they obtained a Residence Order for her.
Roberta, now aged 11, went to the local primary school, where she suffered severe bullying. Her grandparents used their savings to pay her fees at a good local boarding school, where she is doing very well.
They did this for two and a half years, but, now aged 70 and 68 and in ailing health, they can no longer afford to do so and approached the Trust for help with the fees. Together with a number of other charities, and with a bursary from the school, the Trust is committed to supporting Roberta at boarding school for the next five years.
Celine lived a chaotic lifestyle and eventually Social Services approached Mary and Adrian and asked them to act as foster parents to Roberta, then aged two. After careful thought, they agreed to do so, and, with the support of Social Services, they obtained a Residence Order for her.
Roberta, now aged 11, went to the local primary school, where she suffered severe bullying. Her grandparents used their savings to pay her fees at a good local boarding school, where she is doing very well.
They did this for two and a half years, but, now aged 70 and 68 and in ailing health, they can no longer afford to do so and approached the Trust for help with the fees. Together with a number of other charities, and with a bursary from the school, the Trust is committed to supporting Roberta at boarding school for the next five years.
MARK’S STORY
Mark’s parents divorced when he was three, and he has no contact with his father. His mother remarried and she and her husband are alcoholics and were unable to care for Mark, now aged 14. His paternal grandparents also divorced and his grandfather remarried, and both he and his wife, Anne, now 68, maintained close contact with Mark. The relationship with his step-grandmother continued after the death of her husband.
By the age of eight, Mark was on the Special Needs Register at school because of his disruptive behaviour. Although his mother took no interest, his step-grandmother visited the school and learned of the problems he was having.
Two years ago, Mark was locked out of the house by his mother in an alcoholic rage, and his step-grandmother took him to live with her and obtained a Residence Order. She placed Mark in a local secondary school, where he was constantly in trouble for fighting and being disruptive.
Mark was assessed by an educational psychologist, who felt that he needed stability and security in his life and suggested boarding school as an option. Mark was very keen on the idea.
The Trust was approached for support, as Mark’s step-grandmother is on a very low income, and we are helping to support Mark over three years at boarding school. He is now behaving well and enjoying school and very keen to remain a weekly boarder, spending weekends and holidays with his step-grandmother.
By the age of eight, Mark was on the Special Needs Register at school because of his disruptive behaviour. Although his mother took no interest, his step-grandmother visited the school and learned of the problems he was having.
Two years ago, Mark was locked out of the house by his mother in an alcoholic rage, and his step-grandmother took him to live with her and obtained a Residence Order. She placed Mark in a local secondary school, where he was constantly in trouble for fighting and being disruptive.
Mark was assessed by an educational psychologist, who felt that he needed stability and security in his life and suggested boarding school as an option. Mark was very keen on the idea.
The Trust was approached for support, as Mark’s step-grandmother is on a very low income, and we are helping to support Mark over three years at boarding school. He is now behaving well and enjoying school and very keen to remain a weekly boarder, spending weekends and holidays with his step-grandmother.
DANIELLE’S STORY
Danielle, 14, and her 17 year-old brother, Joe, are carers for their father, Steve, 78, mother Sue, 45 and brother Ian, 21. Steve has prostate and throat cancer, Sue is severely disabled following a stroke and Ian is totally dependent following a serious traffic accident when he was 12, in which he sustained severe head injuries.
At state school, Danielle was seriously bullied by other girls and boys, both verbally and physically. On one occasion they tried to set her hair alight. The Trust was asked to help with Danielle’s fees for two years at a small, independent day school, and although the Trust does not normally provide support with school fees for two-parent families, an exception was made for Danielle in view of her parents’ severe disabilities. She has settled happily into her new school and is doing very well.
At state school, Danielle was seriously bullied by other girls and boys, both verbally and physically. On one occasion they tried to set her hair alight. The Trust was asked to help with Danielle’s fees for two years at a small, independent day school, and although the Trust does not normally provide support with school fees for two-parent families, an exception was made for Danielle in view of her parents’ severe disabilities. She has settled happily into her new school and is doing very well.