Disappointing scholarship. Having to reconsider options for secondary, help!

[sara75]

Hi all. My daughter is is a local state primary school, year 6, so we went through the all secondary school application process. I tried two independent schools as well as the state options (SCHS and Jags) hoping she could get a substantial scholarship (I was hoping 25%). We are on the threshold income wise and do not qualify for a bursary; we could potentially cut corners to get her into an independent school but would certainly not be able to do it for my son in two years time. Didn’t go as plannned of course as her Art scholarship at jags was only £1k off annual fees and her academic scholarship at SCHS was only 5%. I am now thinking at ways forward and was asking myself how realistic it is to try again for the 6th form in a couple of years time. I noticed that it’s very difficult to get to most good Sixth forms in state schools and wondered if it’s the same in private ones. What do you think? Thanks a lot for any comments/opinions

Why would you try for sixth form?
University admissions allegedly favour those from state schools so you may as well stick with state if you are not going private now

Are you happy with your potential state school options?

I understand that one of the main benefits of being in independent secondary schools is the networking that will then help you enourmously in finding a job later in life. Having visited both state and independent schools, I cannot also fail to notice the enormous difference in resources, size of classes, quality of teaching, opportunities etc etc. it’s just another world...,
Not really convinced about my state options. Only one I like is Kingsdale but she only has an half music scholarship there so no offer on 1/3 and anxious wait before September. All the others do not convince me for one reason or another.

Networking is a total myth. It might happen in a boarding school (if your child comes from a right background), but definitely not in a day school like JAGS.

Networking - do you know anyone who got a job based on who they knew from secondary school?

Of course the resources will differ a lot for the fees involved

However I'm not convinced that the class size makes much difference at secondary - some only vary between 26 (private), 30 (state)

Those sound totally normal amounts for scholarships, and congratulations to your DD on winning one at both of these schools.

Yes it is always worth reapplying later. JAGS also has a 13+ entry point as well as sixth form entry. You can use the time to save as much as you can so you can afford the two years (or 5 years if 13+) of fees later.

Networking stuff is bollocks unless you already move in the right circles (I was a scholarship kid at a private boarding school).

I think careers advice and university transfer support is shitloads better at private schools (generally, and definitely in the competitive London ones)

I went to a private secondary school and have not experienced any networking related career benefits! I’d say the ingrained sense of confidence has helped though.

I think the right choice for you depends on the quality of local state secondaries.

Have you thought about grammar schools such as Nonsuch?

Yes, we tried but she didn’t pass the first exam by what probably were two questions. We got between 199 and 207 (they wouldn’t tell us exactly how much as, as far as they were concerned, we passed Greenshaw).......

What about going in for A Levels, would that be worth it?

What are your other state options, from where you live? Lots of good schools in S London (but it can be hard from some postcodes )

There are really excellent state Sixth forms in S London and v close to the private schools you mention and they are not difficult to get into if you have the right GCSE grades. And if you don’t get those you won’t get a place in an independent sixth form anyway. JAGS are notorious for chucking people out if their GCSE results don’t look as if they will lead to the right A level results for their statistics.

Lots of people leave independent schools for state sixth form anyway. Dc’s school has lots of girls from SCHS.

There are several pupils who joined dd's sixth form but tbh it is pretty late to take advantage of opportunities unless they are of a character and aptitude to make an immediate impact. Agree the networking is something that gets talked up but really only benefits a minority and those at high profile public schools. Small scholarship fee discounts are pretty normal now but having one may give access to enrichment activities. Tbh I'd be sceptical of her getting one at one school but not passing the 11+ screening. She may be just the sort of pupil who would excel in a state school with opportunities playing to her strengths rather than an all round competitive environment.

Networking outside the biggest name (mostly boys') school is a myth. Ex private girls school - top 100 on league tables. Highest earners are Drs. Some city types (including me in a past life) but job offers weren't network related - university (and sport related) networking far more useful.

We put down (in this order) Kingsdale, Graveney (but she got 245 rather than the requested 248 for Sept places), Ursuline (we are catholic), Norwood school (very mixed feelings about this one. She got an art bursary there. The school is academically average with a mix of kids, some of the behaviour I am not used to), BTG, Coloma

OntheHop Didn’t know. Why would they?

I really wouldn't worry about A levels when your child is only 11!

Remember if you go state you will have loads of money spare for tutoring / enrichment / supporting through university / house deposits.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I wouldn’t put her in only for sixth form. People leave at that point partly because of the potential for positive discrimination in uni admissions.

If you think she’d actually get a marked advantage study wise from that move, then go ahead, but the networking g think is utter rot I’m afraid.

Go state.

Use your income available for tutoring where needed, music lessons and sports clubs.

Networking is bollocks btw but the confidence, small class sizes, push to be involved in a large variety of activities (sport music drama public speaking etc) are benefits of private.

Thanks LIZS, I know what you mean. Howevet, I have the feeling that she would do much better if she was in an environment where others are also trying their best. She tends to be a follower. That’s why I was interested in independent schools, they seem to be pushing girls to explore their capabilities and have the resources/teachers to really inspire.

Thanks everyone for your comments, they are really appreciated. We will go state (hopefully will get a good option on 1/3) and re-consider in two years time. Fingers crossed!

You might get kingsdale on 1/3? I feel for you..

Well surekybas Catholics you have a great chance of those schools?
Many of which get great results! Did La Retraite not appeal? Are you to far away from Charter or Dunraven?

Students at state schools are in a competitive environment, work ethos in top sets is high and they are trying their best!