To think my DC is too clever for state secondary school?

[GeniusCreator]

DC is Yr7. Top of year according to what I’ve been told. Read the full series of Harry Potter books by 7 years old. Excels in STEM subjects. Spends ages at home researching science stuff like quantum field theory and nuclear fusion/fission and enjoys it! Designs his own websites and writes his own code for his own games. Primary school were always pretty amazed by him. Secondary school have picked up on him now and have said they’ve never seen anything like him.

He’s already mentioning being a bit bored in class. We live in what could be described as a deprived town and are not well off, no family to help out, so would never be able to get him into a private school. I did check with the private school in the next town but there are no scholarships available.

WIBU to try to crowdfund for private school fees?

He needs a much higher level curriculum than the state school one to continue stretching him. I honestly think he’s destined for amazing things.

<only slightly light hearted>

As I am sure others have said it isn’t a scholarship you want, as they only usually reduce fees by 10%, you want to be looking at bursaries.
If he is as clever as you believe then I would be looking at the top boarding schools for year 9 entry, Eton and Winchester College.
I have to say that he doesn’t sound wildly different to my (bright but certainly not a genius) 11 year old, at least in his reading abilities. Lots of the children in his leafy middle class school were reading Harry Potter at 6 and 7.
What were his SATS scores? Has he been CAT tested?

Talk to the school. I taught at a state comprehensive and there was a gifted pupil programme, pupils were able to take GCSEs and A levels from year 9.

If he's that clever he'll be fine where he is

Crowdfunding for private education is nonsense. Try further afield for scholarships, be prepared to relocate if necessary. Children can excel at state schools, achieve the highest grades etc etc. Child prodigies rarely have successful lives if pressure cooked by parents. Going to uni at 14, for example, is not a happy experience. Encourage his reading, hobbies etc.

Urgh. As a teacher in an independent school, I hope I don't end up teaching your child. Not because of the child, but because of his parent.

If you are genuinely in need of money for fees, private schools offer bursaries for pupils they really want.

Also teaching in lots of state schools is better than in some private schools. You're paying for small class sizes and facilities. You do realise some private schools aren't selective and some get poor grades?

I think any secondary school (private or state) will ultimately be limited by what they can offer such a unique pupil. If you move him up a year or two, he'll likely be more socially distanced from his new year group, is that what he wants? The same consideration is true if he then could go to uni early. Will he miss out on the full uni experience (living independently, making friends etc) if he's only 15/16 and goes with a parent in tow?

What do Cambridge want to see at interview? Do they offer anything for prospective students (residentials, lectures??). Do they value non-academic interests at interview? They must see gifted and talented students, maybe contact them and ask what skills they suggest he works on in his 'spare' time.