Eton Kings Scholar

[confuseddotcom090]

Hi
My son has a conditional offer of a place at Eton starting 2022. We have no previous connections with the school so don't really know what we are doing.
We just got an email asking if we would like to look around College in case he wanted to apply to be a kings scholar. Via zoom because of the virus, so not sure how helpful a "tour" might be anyway.

Anyhow, does anyone know if this email is standard or they just send it to those whose sons have high academic potential? He's a bright boy but I have no idea how bright. CAT scores in the low 130s, so kind of averagely bright I guess. Not genius.

He is not keen on the idea as he doesn't want to be bracketed as a nerd. I, however, would like a discount. Not being a millionaire. Have offered to split it with him but he's not biting.

Any insights would be much appreciated.

[PoulePouletteEternellement]

Standard!

Stop fretting. Nothing at all to lose by having a look.

[confuseddotcom090]

Ah ok thanks

[TypsTrycks]

I don’t think there is a fee discount for King’s Scholars any more?

[confuseddotcom090]

Oh really? Won't bother then, given that he is not keen

[Beachcomber74]

Over many years of CATS testing I would say in a group of 60 pupils about 2 would get over 130 so he is higher than averagely bright. They won’t send suggestion of Kings Scholars to many but he would need to get on board as the additional work would be intense.

[PoulePouletteEternellement]

They won’t send suggestion of Kings Scholars to many ...

Oh? Have things changed? I'm pretty sure being shown around College was a standard part of the 'getting to know the school' process a handful of years ago. It didn't mean a child was being singled out.

But I know they have a huge number of applicants now so perhaps they've streamlined things.

[PoulePouletteEternellement]

Did you apply for a bursary, confuseddotcom090?

[PoulePouletteEternellement]

From the (new!) KS prospectus:
OPPORTUNITIES TO VISIT COLLEGE
It is not possible to offer visits in person at this time and so all visits will be in real time via virtual media for 2021 entry.
Prospective candidates interested in becoming a King’s Scholar will be offered the opportunity to virtually visit College on a variety of dates in the autumn and spring terms, either after confirming the intended exam route of entry (for boys with conditional places), or on receipt of an application form (for boys without a conditional place). Please be aware places for these visits are limited.
APPLICATIONS
All applications to take the King’s Scholarship examination must be received by 31 January 2021. Boys who have a conditional place must, on the application form, choose whether they are applying for a King’s Scholarship, and hence a place in College, or not. If, having submitted the application form, a parent wishes to reverse the decision as to whether their son is applying for a King’s Scholarship or not, he/she must both confirm this by e-mail and by phone with ... Admissions. After the deadline of 31 January 2021, the decision is irreversible.
All candidates without a conditional place who take the examinations must apply for a place in College ..."

[finsorfeathers]

130 is exceptionally bright. These are standardised scores where 100 is average and 130 is on the cusp of superior/very superior. I would imagine they have asked you as they see that he is a potential candidate. I have no idea if the Kings Scholars get a decent discount though, I think the main appeal is that they don't need to have applied when they were in year 5 and done the ISEB pretest so it is a way of getting in late if they are particularly bright. If your DS is already in then it might be a lot of extra pressure for nothing

[AgeLikeWine]

Boris Johnson was a King’s Scholar. Make of that what you will....

[finsorfeathers]

I don't think there was quite the academic competition in those days!

[MGMidget]

I think Boris is quite bright but plays the bafoon role very well.

[confuseddotcom090]

He's really not keen on the idea so we will give it a miss. His current headmaster said he thought he may end up more rounded if we didn't pursue it, also.

I haven't applied for a bursary. We get CEA from the military, and I am well paid so I don't think we would qualify.

[Andante57]

Boris Johnson was a King’s Scholar. Make of that what you will....

So one person is representative of thousands of KSs?
Ghislaine Maxwell went to Oxford. Make of that what you will.

[peteneras]

Well said, Andante57, my son was a King's Scholar and right now finding himself in the frontline of a large hospital risking lung and life battling Covid-19 just to save others from the jaw of death! Whilst he could have easily opted for a more comfortable direction and spending just half the time at uni as opposed to medical school and earning twice as much today working safely from home - self isolation and all that jazz. . .