Key point: my daughter (aged 8 in year 4) has a talent for sport. She is achieving several years above where she should be for her age and has recently been invited to a pathway group for the county team. We are considering an independent day school in Winchester due to sports facilities, coaching and the extra-curricular activities they offer which are far above any state school.
Am I naive to think she could get a scholarship and bursary?
More details: my daughter is bright, with English (average ability) and music being her weaknesses, but maths and science she is working above where she should be and she shows great understanding of how things work. She loves performing, being part of choir and glee club. Her passion is for sport though. She does well in PE and the last few years has been one of the chosen few to take part in the selective relay races on sports day.
We've got a prospectus from the independent school and booked for an open day in March 2019. She couldn't take her nose out of the extra-curricular activities booklet they sent! The school describes itself as 'appropriately academic' with a big emphasis on sport. I like this as I wouldn't want DD in an overly pushy academic environment.
Bottom line, we are looking at independent due to sports facilities and smaller class sizes with less disruptive pupils. I've read she may be at a disadvantage with the Common Entrance exam as she hasn't been to prep school. Is this really true? I don't understand what the difference is (other than smaller classes/more attention).
We couldn't actually afford the fees, so we'd need them to really want her and offer a bursary of at least half the fees.
Please enlighten me! Neither DH nor I have any experience of independent schools.
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46 replies
Happysummer · 03/11/2018 16:59
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