scholarships help

[lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs]

DD1 school is not managing to keep her on track with her learning. She is G&T in all subjects and IQ tests show high IQ. Shes in year 3 and currently doing year 6 maths work but her teacher tells us that she is often left waiting for her class mates to catch up as she speeds ahead of her class.
We are considering private school for her but could never afford it so would like to look into scholarships. Can anyone advise us??
She also has a dx of ASD, would this make a difference?

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Many scholarships are now honorary, or peppercorn. Those that still have financial value are often set at about 10% of fees (though up to 30% still at some). They are awarded irrespective of parents' income; usually for academic, sporting, musical, art or dramatic prowess.

Financial assistance in the form of means-tested bursaries are also available at most schools. I'm on a mobile and can't do the link, but some schools are surprisingly generous (try googling what the Whitgift foundation offers). Some also cover uniform and trips. You will however have to research each school individually.

Do you have a short-list of schools? Perhaps some people here will know them (and how enlightened they are for SEN).

Lisa - I think the ASD might make a difference tbh. What is a dx? I am going to be really really honest and say that people who send their children to private schools can be quite demanding. They dont want large classes or children who could be a little tricky in the classrooms. I am sorry, you dont say how serious the ASD is.

In my friends prep school there was a boy who was unpredictable. He would suddenly shout out in class and make a run for it over the playing fields with some teachers running after him. He also found it difficult to particpate in sports (and this was a big rugby playing school), unfortunately most prep schools dont have the option of putting another member of staff in place if extra care is needed. It just wasnt the right school for him and he left just before Xmas.

Generallly anything over about £35k of income will preclude you from any real help with fees. I would contact a couple of schools and be honest and see if they are right for you child. Also, see how their busaries/scholarships work.

dx means diagnois. Her ASD does not effect her in a way that she is volient or agressive, in fact she is very quiet and is very rule lead and never breaks the rules. It affects her in things like changes to routines and struggling in large crowds.

Thank for the advice, Im in Herts and looking at Sherardswood and St Albans prep.

TIA

Rocky12: interested to know more about the rarity of bursaries over £35k. Do you have a link? Whitgift are very generous, but offer help up to £71k for single child, £79k if more than one.

Lisad: sorry I don't know those schools. I have spoken to a number of London schools, and found some more than happy to consider mild/moderate dxes. I think you'll need to check with each school. Good luck.

Lisa - I would talk to a few local private schools and see what they say. Some may be very willing to help given your circumstances and your DD's ability. However, in practice very few schools will commit to 100% support from year 4, so you would most likely have to find 50% or more of the fees.

On the bright side... Don't be too worried about uniform and extras at this stage. I kitted out DS1 for under £50 from the second hand shop and sainsbury's! Also, his school always fundraise so that all boys can go on the expensive trips (eg 3 day art trip to Cornwall).

However, do be aware that as a bursary/scholarship pupil, your DD would be expected to be aiming for academic scholarships at top secondary schools. This can be a lot of pressure (I speak from personal experience).

Good luck! I have read a few of your threads, and you sound like such a lovely mum.

ok, will wait for email from local one first, and go from there. I hate the fact she is so bored at school. Shes doing year 6 maths so what will happen when she finishes that?!

And thank you, nice to know I come across as lovely and not a complete loon like I do in RL

It's a shame to be bored at school but after year 6 work is done the school should be able to provide higher work for her, perhaps with some help from the local senior school. In the meantime could you get her a one hour per week tutor so that she can progress at her own pace? The tutor can tell you which text books to buy and perhaps you can work with her at home?