Does anyone have a child on a sports scholarship?

[changer22]

I'm interested in learning more. We're always being told that DS has a talent for sport but I wondered just how good a child needs to be before being entered in for a sports scholarship at an independent school. He's 9 (and at a state school) so quite young but I realise a number of prep schools offer scholarships around Y3/Y4/Y5.

[SAHDthatsall]

So the 10 yo cricketer above - sounds like you live in central London? Is he playing Middlesex or Surrey at the moment?

[Lucy765]

Micah that's an interesting outlook, particularly because my son is only 10 it could be even more relevant (the amount of training hours expected) so thank you for that

[Lucy765]

SAHDthatsall yes we live not too far from central London as we live in Hampstead and he's currently playing Middlesex

[SAHDthatsall]

So if he's 10 now should he not be starting senior school this September so are you a bit late? Or which school year currently?

[LIZS]

I was assuming y5 so you need to be registering asap, for either 11 or 13+ entry as some will pretest for 13+ early in y6. Surely it would be easier to get to North or West London from Hampstead? Where do other kids in Middlesex squad go?

[Lucy765]

Yes he is in yr 5, and it would be easier to access North or West London I was just trying to give a vague idea of where we were situated. I believe several boys in the squad are going to the schools mentioned above (Whitgift and Dulwich) and a further handful are going to schools such as Harrow and Radley but we were just not sure which schools were specifically sports orientated in the area, all suggestions are sincerely appreciated

[SAHDthatsall]

Well don't expect too much from the schools in the early Years (7+). Even though they may go there with some level of sports scholarship they are still the babies of the school and a long way to go to the First XI - indeed they may well have peaked early and may not improve and find a different sport! The level of cricket at many schools in Years 7/8 can be a bit ropey too, it's much better when the prep boys arrive at 13+.

I'm astonished and dismayed that a coach would say something silly about future possibilities (England!) at such an early stage, that is a dumb thing to say! Reminds me of an Essex U9 player that was touted from age 6 as the next big thing and when we played them at U10s he wouldn't have even made our squad!

Whitgift is outstanding for cricket, almost too good compared with the rest. Dulwich is ok. Merchant Taylors is perhaps an obvious north London one but I don't know it? Millfield (boarding) is the other obvious option as a real sports school with amazing facilities and coaching.

FYI the best Surrey young player around this age group / slightly older has had the phone ringing off with offers from schools for the last couple of years and could go virtually anywhere for no cost - initially prep schools and then senior schools - falling over themselves to offer him a free place. Last I heard he was Harrow bound. He currently plays up to 4 years above his age group.

[Lucy765]

I take your concerns about age and the possibility of peaking too early, I am fully aware that he is still very young and nobody can be sure of what will happen over the next couple of years. I just thought it would be great if we could give him the opportunity to excel in a sporting environment given his enthusiasm and apparent talent for cricket, thanks again for the pointers in terms of schools.

[Takeitupwiththeboss]

SADH, are you sure this boy is playing 4 years up for Surrey?As I understood it the guidelines from the English Cricket Board were boys should stick in their age groups (even if supremely talented as this lad sounds). 1 year up maybe but 4? I'd be worried about safety as well as overload.
On another note from that, is that the way of it for Prep and Senior schools to come out and offer to individuals directly after doing the rounds of County sides?

[SAHDthatsall]

Yes, sure. Not sure about guidelines but since you can play adult cricket from U12 (Year 7) upwards I doubt there would be other restrictions.

I don't think it is normal, no. But relies on word getting round I guess and some promotion by someone with contacts.

[mouldycheesefan]

Agree with Micah. My dd competes at a reasonable level and is very sporty I would not want her to do a sports scholarship as she would then be involved in a myriad of sports at school level which would detract from her ability to spend time in her chosen sport.
Our local comprehensive has children who compete for England and GReat Britain they had pupils competing At the 2012 Olympics , not sure about Rio. No doubt they could get sports scholarships but that may not be beneficial to children already competing at elite level who therefore can't really get involved in schools sports.

Op if your child is not doing any sports outside school I don't think they would be eligible for a sports scholarship as they will be up against county and regional competitors.

[nottodaydarling]

Certainly there is one boy who plays up in the CAG for Surrey cricket who has been approached by senior schools. Senior schools do watch prep school tournaments to spot talent and if your child is good enough they might be approached - but not normally until year 7/8. If your child is talented enough they do not have to belong to outside clubs etc although if they are good at a sport and enjoy it normally would want to play out of school. Most sports scholarships involve the child spending a day at the senior school doing lots of sports.

[LIZS]

DC school also tests underlying fitness levels with a bleep test, for example. They really are looking for the exceptional , or with the potential to be A team/club training squad/county players ideally in more than one sport. I've known excellent athletes not get one because they were not at same level in other sports.

[mouldycheesefan]

What is the reason why you want him to get a scholarship op? Is it to see if there is a reduction in fees?

[AnotherNewt]

OP's DC is probably well through their secondary school career by now!

It's Lucy765 with the cricketing DS who reanimated it, with a question about which London schools are best as developing promising cricketers. She didn't say she was hoping for a sports scholarship (though she might be).

[Gryphon41]

You should look at Worth School too. Excellent head of cricket and just established a cricket junior academy

[Allthebestnamesareused]

Just needed to check that the OP realises that most scholarships these days pay a percentage of anywhere between 5-20% of annual fees rather than being full scholarships these days (in case that makes a difference).

[hertsandessex]

I have seen two broad approaches for sports "scholarships" - aptitude and achievement. The aptitude is a similar to the approach used by state schools with sports specialism where they test for sports aptitude - speed, agility, strength, etc. Scholarship awards are unlikely to be very high - maybe £1000 a year or perhaps 10%. More common is based on achievement to date where they are looking for children who have already played at a high level by the age of 10-11 (I know exceptions and varies with sport but broadly county level if not higher). These scholarships are still mostly only 10-20% but could potentially be much higher for exceptional children with some negotiation. Perhaps 50% and I have heard of one child who at 11 was already identified as potential national level who was poached by another private school with almost a 100% scholarship.

[what34]

I think Alleyns school would be good to consider as well. Also youngrunners.uk website

[2014newme]

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