Scholarship 13+ boarding schools

[Doloresvivamarie]

My DD is at a state school but has a place at a co-ed boarding school from 13. She did well in the Headmasters list and we have been told she could have a go at scholarship papers. We have had a quick look through them and they look pretty scary - more like GCSE level. Yikes! She is only 12. Also she is not following the Common Entrance syllabus and the scholarship is clearly following the common entrance. DD is following national curriculum obviously. Loads of gaps in knowledge.

It's 9 months until she does the scholarship or normal entrance exams. I don't particularly want to spend hours of time tutoring her for scholarship. The boarding school says it will take into consideration that she at state school presently, but I am not convinced. Also concerned that it will put her under enormous pressure (scholarship papers scared me, let alone her!)

Has anyone done scholarships from state school? Do the boarding schools really take this into account? Are the prep school pupils at a major advantage in your experience? Is pressure immense?

(Actually she wouldn't need scholarship as her (unmarried)uncle paying for fees. However now the school have suggested scholarship, DD is flattered and wants a go)

[waterhorse123]

Hi,
you will find that most scholarships nowadays carry no automatic remission of fees, or if they do, this is very small. The idea being that the scholarship is an honorary thing, reflecting ability, but bringing little or no pecuniary advantage. The idea now is that funding should be directed into bursaries for the less advantaged rather than into the pockets of those parents of bright children who can afford to pay, as sometimes happened before.
So have a go at the scholarship, because it can't do any harm, can it, and eventually, on her CV, it will one day look good when she applies for university and is able to say she had a scholarship at age eleven for her abilities.
And yes, they are hard and do seem mostly to be aimed at children coming via the private sector who have studied the CE curriculum, but you can get all the relevant books from Galore Park (a bit pricey) or sometimes if you are lucky, second hand.
You have nine months, so go for it.

[summerends]

I would have thought that a good school would be able to differentiate between potential rather than attainment through fast -tracked teaching. It must be easier to differentiate for maths, English and humanity papers that look more for outside reading than syllabus covered. If your DD is especially strong at any of those than definitely go for it. If not you have to decide whether her enthusiasm for trying should be encouraged even if it may be stressful ( for you and her!). I suppose she would have a stronger start at the school if she did some extra work and the senior school obviously thinks she has the academic potential to do well.

[Doloresvivamarie]

Thanks so much for your messages. Really useful and yes, you are right, it worth a go and could be useful for university applications.
Thanks Waterhorse for tip on Galore Park. AMAZINGLY useful. I have checked out website and they even sell common entrance text books, so brilliant. Will invest in some and papers. This has helped to make it possible and not such a mountain to climb. Best tip ever.

Will definitely get geography. Teacher at school tells me state school geography and common entrance geography cover very different subjects. Such an eye opener, I had no idea the syllabuses were so different.

Many thanks

Dolores