Private School scholarships Post Reply

[Greenfields]

Hi

I’m beginning to think about secondary options for my son (still a few years away but good to be prepared!). I am concerned that paying private fees would be a real stretch for us so I’m wondering about scholarships. Are there particular schools where scholarships are easier to achieve? Ie less popular or less academic schools? My son is very bright but I imagine there are a lot of bright kids around.

Thanks a lot

[schoolsshow]

Hi Greenfields, 

You're not alone; in fact, over a third of pupils at independent schools are fee-assisted and around 6,000 pay no fees at all! It really is the most affordable time to move into the private school sector.

I'll attach a link I think you might find useful about fee assistance, but you may find that attending the Independent Schools Show (free if you register in advance) could be beneficial as you have the opportunity to speak face-to-face with representatives from over 200 schools (usually more efficient than laborious email chains and phone calls), and quiz them about their bursary schemes, but also there will be two educational theatres in which experts will be covering a range of topics, including ways to combine private and state education and making private schools affordable.

Hope this helps!

http://schoolsshow.co.uk/saving-money

 

[Scottov]

Hi

I’m beginning to think about secondary options for my son (still a few years away but good to be prepared!). I am concerned that paying private fees would be a real stretch for us so I’m wondering about scholarships. Are there particular schools where scholarships are easier to achieve? Ie less popular or less academic schools? My son is very bright but I imagine there are a lot of bright kids around.

Thanks a lot

if your child is very bright, and from a local comp, there are lots of schools that might be worth looking into.  it depends on if you're prepared to look at boarding, and most probably outside of london.  the South West and north are good shouts.

if you are looking for a scholarship to a london day school then the competition is fierce

[Greenfields]

Thanks a lot. I'm afraid I'm looking at London day!

[Scottov]

Thanks a lot. I'm afraid I'm looking at London day!

There are NO soft touches in the London day market. No easier schools.

If you are determined to go down that route I’d try to make sure you don’t put too much pressure on him when he sits common entrance or any bespoke admissions test

You can do more harm than good if the pressure is too high at home

[Purdyeve]

From my own knowledge, scholarships rarely amount to much more than a 10 - 30% discount, so still pretty costly.  A specific scholarship would likely have additional elements, eg a music scholarship usually means that teaching in one instrument is paid for.  Many of the schools in London also offer bursaries, but these are means tested and very oversubscribed.

You say that your son is very bright - you may want to look at the Grammar school options as well.  Others may disagree, but my personal view is that a lot of work needs to be done in order to prepare for the entrance exams. The pre-test day is something to behold - literally thousands of kids queuing around the block.  I'm not trying to scare you but, as Scottov said, the 11+ process in London is fiercely competitive, and is getting more so year on year.

[Scottov]

From my own knowledge, scholarships rarely amount to much more than a 10 - 30% discount, so still pretty costly.  A specific scholarship would likely have additional elements, eg a music scholarship usually means that teaching in one instrument is paid for.  Many of the schools in London also offer bursaries, but these are means tested and very oversubscribed.

You say that your son is very bright - you may want to look at the Grammar school options as well.  Others may disagree, but my personal view is that a lot of work needs to be done in order to prepare for the entrance exams. The pre-test day is something to behold - literally thousands of kids queuing around the block.  I'm not trying to scare you but, as Scottov said, the 11+ process in London is fiercely competitive, and is getting more so year on year.

The distinction between scholarships and bursaries is entirely artificial. Many schools only allow you to apply for bursaries after you have won a scholarship

I wouldn’t focus on the scholarship vs bursary thing, the real distinction is in and out of London

[VMW]

My son has been on a large bursary (ranging from 65-70%) at one of the large London Day schools since he started 6 years ago. He only received an academic scholarship a year into starting at the school which amounts to 10%.
It’s all a process I am afraid and every year we have to complete Bursary application forms which scrutinise your every finanacial situation. I have no problem with this as we are so grateful for the support. He has a named sponsor whom we write to every year to thank. We do own a house and have a small mortgage which is declared but our annual income is low.
I am afraid you can but try. My son did receive bursary offers at a number of the schools so the bursary places are there if you meet the criteria.

[nappyvalleyreader]

That’s a tricky one ! All London Day Schools are highly competitive to gain admission to.

Trinity and Whitgift offer up to 50% ‘non-means’ tested scholarships ie not dependent on parental income.

Bursaries are also available but obviously only for those achieving the admission standard. They are ‘means tested’ and the schools will review parents’ income , assets etc before awarding / deciding on the level of award for a bursary - these can be almost the full fees.

The criteria for bursaries and scholarships are available on the Whitgift Foundation website.

There are entries at 10+ and 11+.

Both schools have 13+ entry available too.

All levels of entry are incredibly competitive. 13+ places tend to go to those who are already at Prep schools but that does not mean they could not be awarded to someone at a state school if they achieved the exam standard.

Music, Sports , Art scholarships are also available . Ask the schools for admission standards for those. These involve separate assessments .

All boys sitting the Trinity and Whitgift exams are considered for an Academic Scholarship depending on the marks they achieve in the entrance papers. There is no separate scholarship paper for Academic Awards.

Good luck in your search !

[sleep5candle]

It is definitely possible if you do your research and work hard at it- like anything. I have two children both at private boarding preps with bursaries. One child is academically gifted, one is average in most subjects but has other attributes.
In the older ones case we applied for a specific scholarship and went through the process. He was offered a place and we were means tested.
In the younger one’s case, grandparents were paying fees and they had to stop when they retired. School then gave us a means tested bursary.
For senior schools which we are now applying for for our eldest, the advice from his prep is to apply to the schools we like, tell them we would require a bursary and if the school wants him, then we should be able to get a means tested bursary.
However, some schools are able to give more bursaries than others and in our case it will be a full boarding option so Eton, Winchester, Westminster. (Although latter does day). The older schools tend to have more money available for bursaries. Hope that helps.

[dudette]

I read recently that the head of Westminster is aiming to make the school means/blind in the next few years - is anyone that is bright enough to get a place will be able to go no matter what their financial circumstances. Maybe worth a look.

[somemum]

If your son is into anything like DT or design, inventing, or is entrepreneurial, Whitgift offer ‘DT’ scholarships that you can apply for. As I understand it, for that, they’re looking for children who take initiative, think outside the box, anything out of the norm

[LHT courses]

I understand Alleyn's intends to significantly boost it's bursary/scholarship funding over the next couple of years, with a view to creating a more socially diverse school environment.
It might be worth you calling the admissions department for a low-down about this.
Good luck.
Rachel
Mentoreducation.co.uk

[wenlinchineseschool]

Try Dulwich too. The headmaster has a plan to increase the number of children on financial support to 50%.

Really liked his speech.

Good luck!

[JessyJ]

Hi! Tell us where your son wants to study? I am an international student and receive a scholarship. In fact, if your son has a high passing score and a lot of knowledge, he will also be able to receive scholarships at many universities and colleges. However, be very careful when choosing a University. Now there are many scammers who deceive students. By the way if you want to check a particular University you can check here -honor society. I am a member of this society and if there is some kind of fraud against students, all this information is there in the database.