School Scholarship predicament.

[Tiredemma]

Sorry- I realise it may be general First World problem but would value some advice.
DS1 plays Rugby, not shamelessly bragging but he has been noted to have great potential. He plays for the County and is also on the England Rugby Developing Player Programme at Worcester Warriors Academy (he is 14 btw).

DP has been contacted twice by the Director of Rugby at a fairly local Private school offering DS a chance of a Scholarship. He seems quite persistent. Private education is not something we had ever considered due to simply not being able to afford it.

DS however goes to an Outstanding Secondary school which is rated in the Top 20 State schools in the UK. He has a great set of friends and is doing really well- Just started Year 9 and commencing into GCSe subjects of which he is predicted A*s and A (so far).

If we lived in our old house and he attended the local school there this wouldn't be an issue- we would jump at the chance. However his current school ticks all the boxes.

DS is non-plussed- he knows a couple of boys from County rugby who already attend the private school.

I just worry that its a big move for him, a complete change of structure of education, I worry how his relationships with his local school friends will end up etc etc.

On the other hand- I realise that this is a great opportunity for him. We dont want to make a decision that we will regret in the future.

any advice would be great.

[TranmereRover]

go in for it, let him look around the school and see what he thinks of it. you may in any case find that scholarships are only a small % of fees so it's not financially viable anyway.

[Leeds2]

I would go and have a look round, with DS, too. You will probably get a feeling as to whether or not it is any better than your son's present school, and whether there would be better opportunities or not.

I am guessing that one of the pluses might be that they play rugby at the potential school, but don't at his existing school. I may be wrong but, where I live, all of the boys' private schools play rugby, and none of the state ones do.

[goshhhhhh]

How does the private school compare educationally to his current school (top 20 is amazing btw) ? What makes it such a good opportunity?
I think I would have to think long & hard.
My dd goes to a v good state school & her v g friend private. Her educational opportunities seem greater , much wider experience s in terms of people from other walks of life & no drugs culture at her school as far as I can tell.
I think I would find out as much as I could with your ds & make the decision together.

[goshhhhhh]

I meant my dd's opportunities are greater at the state school

[Timetoask]

Before you take DS to have a look, first ask exactly how much the scholarship covers, presumably only a percentage or the fees? If he is happy at his current school, has friends, is predicted good results, is already part of a development Rugby team, then unless you are absolutely sure you can cover the costs I wouldn't contemplate a change.

My ds attends a prep school. The fees increase more or less by 4.5% every year, they have summer, winter and best uniform, all expensive. They need two lots of every sport gear, they go on expensive trips, I could go on. It's not only about the fees but all the extras.

[Tiredemma]

Thats the thing see- I think its a good opportunity but only because its a private school so im assuming its too good to miss.

His current schools GCSE is 87% at A-C (with 25% of those A-A)

The private school is 98% at A-C with 73% of those A-A

He doesn't play much rugby at his school- although due to playing Club, County and Academy Rugby- we felt that this wasnt a massive issue.

You are right, we should go and get a look and a feel.

[LoopyLoopyLoopy]

Are they Worcestershire schools? If you OM me I might have a little insight.

[LoopyLoopyLoopy]

PM

[ruggermum]

another pm!

[AuntieStella]

I'd say that you need to have a hard nosed talk with the bursar about exactly how much of the fees the school is offering to cover, whether it is guaranteed year on year and any other strings attached. Then work out if you can afford the balance. Do they do things like (expensive) international rugby tours - if so, will they pay for him or expect you to find the cash?

Then work out if it is affordable.

If it is, then you need to look at the school and see if it would be a good fit for him.

And also talk to his current coaches. If it's a good rugby school, they'll know it and will be able to tell you how much difference going there could make to his rugby development. Yes, he may well get more playi time and food coaching. But if it also brings headaches between school and club fixtures, and with squad training, it might not be a clear benefit.

[ZeroSomeGameThingy]

It's certainly not a purely first world problem! But there are so many questions you would need answers to...

You mention scholarship. Is it assumed (have they said) that they could offer whatever level of means tested bursary you would need to cover the full fees? And would that continue till the end of A'Levels?

As pps have asked - what is the specific advantage being offered by the private school? Academic or sporting or something indefinable?

Would your DS have the opportunity of "better" GCSE choices? (That seems unlikely given the outstanding nature of his current school.)

Even if your DS could do equally well at GCSE at either school what would be the situation at sixth form level?

Is he planning on university? Would the private school offer more help towards that?

It might be helpful if you ask about the specific school...

[Tiredemma]

Thanks for the advise about clarifying the fees. If its not greatly funded by the school then there is no point anyway (as the surprise baby we had last year currently consumes every spare penny in nursery fees)

As his parent I think my gut instinct is saying stay put in his current school- then see what opportunities may come up once he has done GCSE's and is looking at 6th form / college opportunities.

DS I think is happy either way and just wants us to make the decision for him.
His current school is amazing - he is lucky to be in the catchment area of such a great school does that does offer great opportunities - sport there is limited but he does have opportunities outside of school to meet his needs in terms of Rugby (and Cricket).

I hadn't considered the 'other' financial implications of going to private school- thank you for highlighting these to me.

[Patricia909]

If your DS is in a top 20 state school, doing well and participating in an elite rugby development programme then I seriously doubt whether the local private school would offer him any advantages either academically or rugby wise. You may even find that it inhibits his rugby development as longer days may mean he does not have sufficient time to devote to his rugby. If he is on a scholarship he will be expected to prioritise school rugby - thats what they want him for - and he will be playing at a lower level than in his club. I think there is also an issue around how much rugby a boy of that age should be playing (long term dangers of contact sport etc).

[TranmereRover]

73% A / A* at the private school? I'd be biting their hands off (if he likes it, and it's freeeee)

One other issue - what happens if he is injured and is left unable to play rugby? does the scholarship still stand?

[Theherbofdeath]

He's doing brilliantly, and if he moves something may not work out - eg friendship group, not getting on with a teacher, etc. So I'd keep him where he is and re-consider for 6th form.

[cakeisalwaystheanswer]

Something else you may want to consider is that sports scholarships often specify that DCs have to attend matches, training sessions etc even during study leave periods pre GCSEs. SO if your DS made the cricket team he may be obliged to go in during revision leave to spend hours playing in a match because he has no choice because he has a sports scholarship. You really need to read the small print very carefully, and cynically.

Another thing you may want to think about is that your DS will be replacing someone else on the 1st XV, this can cause problems particularly as the boys will already have gelled as a group. Also the parents of the boy you replace may resent that your boy has been "bought in" and they are in effect subsidising his place.

I really dislike the way some schools go round strengthening their teams in this way, it ensures that they can beat the local state schools and it all goes to booster the myth that private schools are better at sports. Your son's success at sport will not be because of the school he will join but they will happily post his picture in their brochure as an example of an outstanding sportsman that the school has nurtured and prospective parents who are ambitious for their sporting DCs will be impressed. I get very cross with the way private schools seem now to be run by marketing departments but that isn't your problem it's an opportunity for your DS and you should take it if that's what he wants.

[Tiredemma]

Thank you all- great advice here.

Have shown to DP- we are ever more swayed to staying where we are to be honest.

[Tiredemma]

I thought I would come back and give you an update- I had some valuable advice here and appreciate it all.

We originally advised the Director of Sport at the school that we wished to stay put but thanked him for the opportunity. The following week DS asked if it would still be an option as he felt he should at least have a look at the school before discounting it completely.

We went to have a look about two weeks ago and as predicted, we came away massively impressed and feeling a bit stupid for declining initially.
The opportunity for DS in terms of his Rugby is far beyond what we could have imagined.

We met the Bursar last week and have been offered a very generous scholarship and assisted place. This also includes 6th Form.
We have to pay a specific amount each term but it is very manageable.

DS now has to sit an entrance test at the end of the month, assuming he is ok with that then he can start in November. ( Its not something I could pass looking at previous papers!!)

Thank you all very much for the excellent advice.

[ohtobeanonymous]

All the best to your DS and congratulations on his talent in this sport! You must be so proud of him and it is great that he has the opportunities to develop his passion further.
Maybe in a few years we will see him playing for England!!

[Tiredemma]

Thank you.

that would be his dream!

[Eastpoint]

Does the new school have other boys playing at his level? I ask as the sporty boys at my son's school do not play club/county rugby in the autumn term when they play it at school. They do however either play or train 6 days a week (why they are not allowed to play club rugby on Sundays).