State school scholarships to Boarding School for girls

[JustAMummy3]

Hoping someone can help with my research, DD is currently in state school, and I am looking for scholarship options, most of the top boys schools have a state school entry system, very competitive exams (ISEB 11+) but these places are specifically state school children. They hold separate scholarships for private school students.
For girls, I can only find normal scholarship entry, obviously with tougher competition due to the level of education they have been receiving, sometimes since birth.

Is anyone aware of any funded places set up in girls schools?

I’m in the South West, but would look slightly up and across to (but not as far as inside London)
She is gifted academically and sports, but it’s a very small countryside school with a high level of extra needs children and minimum time & sports offered to move forward.

There isn't the same tradition for scholarship awards for girls private schools as for boys. And even where they happen, they don't fully fund. The largest I'm aware of is for 50% but that was a while ago and the financial environment has changed.

Try looking for bursaries - these tend to be means tested, but again not a large tradition for girls schools to offer substantial contribution. I've never heard of a private girls school fully funding a pupil - but I'd be very happy to be corrected on this.

You may have better luck looking at bursaries in co-ed schools.

To be honest even if you found a school with significant scholarships and bursaries, there would probably still be fees to pay (uniform, outings, drama, sports match fees, musical instrument, even exam fees for GCSE & A level)

most of the top boys schools have a state school entry system, very competitive exams (ISEB 11+) but these places are specifically state school children. They hold separate scholarships for private school students

Do they?

Scholarships are nominal.

Dd got 1k a term off the fees (top sports scholarship). We then get 30% off with a bursary.

Which schools have specific scholarships for state educated kids?

my DD’s friends have scholarships at a co-ed school in the SW but both are nominal reduction in fees & more about the honour & glory!

OP, look at Christs Hosptial or other coed schools that have a fully funded bursary fees programme or hold on until 6th form and try bursaries then. As others say this is rare in the girls sector - for a start there aren't that many all girls boarding schools in the SW up to London to choose from.

Most private schools offer ‘a scholarships’ or bursaries but it’s a slight reduction in fees. Practically every kid I know at private school has a ‘scholarship’ of some kind - they’re fairly meaningless. Schools hike up the price knowing that so many kids are getting a discount - just like any business and it’s prices.

Why boarding tho, is there really no option to have her at home?

Practically every kid I know at private school has a ‘scholarship’ of some kind - they’re fairly meaningless

I'm really not sure how people can type things like this with a straight face

At my DCs school it’s a maximum of 3 a year with a 25% discount. At another school I am involved with it’s 1 per year
So practically every kids I know at Private school doesn’t have one

I think only certain schools offer them, to increase participation and diversity, and target contacts in organisations to put kids forward. A local day school has bursaries for HA tenant families.

Yes there is a charity that works with our local private to place girls who would benefit from a full boarding private education.

Where we live is over an hour from all private schools.

There are many full scholarships available at for boys, Eton, Harrow, Radley, all specifically for state school children.

Would like my daughter to have the option and I have time to research beforehand. We have a few years yet, probably looking at yr9, but potentially yr7 with weekly boarding.

Traditionally men will donate back to their school & attend fundraising events, women in general don’t choose to do this, it’s never become the norm :-/

There are many full scholarships available at for boys, Eton, Harrow, Radley, all specifically for state school children

I think you'll find it's a limited number per year. Again watch the difference between scholarship & bursary - the words have specific meaning when talking about private schools in the UK and are not interchangeable.

As for girls schools not offering them as previous students don't donate - there are very few girls schools in the UK over a 100 years old and women didn't have the financial capacity to donate large sums to support scholarships and bursaries until more recently. Eton is nearly 600 years old, Harrow 450 yrs old so they've had time to build up the financial reserves.

Have you looked into the state boarding schools ? - here's the link, although a quick read and you'll still be expected to pay for the boarding element - www.ukbsa.com/state-boarding-school/.

Basically what I think we are all trying to say to you is, there is precious little chance you will find a private school that will fully fund your DD's education, if you want a single sex school.

Your choices are sadly limited to paying a substantial amount yourself for boarding, moving nearer to day private schools, still paying but not quite so much or moving to an area with better state schools.

Sorry this seems harsh but private education is not cheap - you're looking at £12,00 pa for a decent one, and that's day school rates.

ps - most private girls schools start at yr 7, although some do have an intake at yr 9, and unless it's a large intake, they are best avoided as it's difficult to break into existing friendship groups

Do you definitely want a girls school rather than a mixed-sex one?

Some of the schools which used only to take boys have the benefit of funds from those times.

I agree with previous posters who say that there are fewer scholarships now. Some schools have changed to offering more bursaries: these can be very generous depending on your income.

Eton, Harrow and Radley are pretty much the only boys only 13 plus full boarding schools left as Winchester is going coed. As others says their resources are linked to their history.

Cheltenham Ladies College has fully funded places mentioned on their website but I would start with Christ's Hospital and state boarding schools.

Thank you, I’ll slowly do research over the next few years, always nice to have a head start.

Without disclosing too much, both my boys are on full scholarships to boarding schools, even though its a long way off, I didn’t want my daughter to feel left out or at any point more effort was put into their education than hers.
She may not wish to follow in their footsteps, but I want to make sure that if she does, I’ve done all the research and made enquiries ahead of time & missed no deadlines.

I’d love for her to create her own path in life, and if her brothers end up doing very well, she doesn’t feel her success was a trickle down from them.

Probably overthinking due to International Women’s Day. I just want to ensure I don’t drop the ball, and let her know of all the opportunities available once we get to that age.

Thank you everyone who has commented, I’m not sure if saving a post is the same as liking a post 😀