Help! What is the procedure when applying for scholarship for prep school

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DS1 is exceptionally bright, described by his current teachers as thinking on a level several years ahead of his peers. Although his current state school is good, it is in a very deprived inner city area and cannot cater for his needs and he is frustrated by the easy workload. We are about to apply for a scholarship/bursary for a local prep school. It is an academically selective school and they have already said that there would be a place for him not knowing that we are unable to pay the fees. The school actively advertise that they have bursaries available and encourage bright children to apply.

I have no experience of private education and do not know what the procedure is. Should I speak to the headteacher of his current state school and let her know that we are applying? When I told the prepschool that we would be applying for a bursary they asked for a recent report from his current school. Would that be last year's Y2 report or should I ask his school for a report from Y3? Will the prep school take into account his state school background and the fact that he is born in late August? The assessment is a three day trial with maths, english and VR tests during those three days.

I just want us to be in the best possible position when applying for a place. If he gets a place it is then up to him whether or not he wishes to change schools, but I do not want his chances ruined by our ignorance.

Make an appointment with the HT...dont be shy, just phone up....they will be only to pleased to consider your son for a bursary or scolarship. That's why they advertise them...my own DD was at a private prep from reception to year 3 on a bursary simply because I enquired.

The year 2 report will be fine...the prep will want you to fill in some income forms so that they can check your incomefalls within their limits...obviously you won't get a bursary if you earn too much.

The prep wont take his state education into account...either he's bright enough or he's not. His chances wont be ruined by your ignorance..he has good brains and good parents....all he needs to get ahead.

We took DD out of her prep at age 7....she wasn't turning out to be academica enough in our mind and it had shrunk to a tiny size....she's come on much better in her new outstanding primary....but it's finding a school that fits YOUR child....it seems like you're looking in the right places and if he is stong academically then he will be fine.

I would suspect that the prep school will offer scholarships based on performance in the entrance exams - eg, award scholarships to the top so many performers.

I would also suspect that the level of award at this stage is something like 5 - 10%. This is a marketing tool for the school, to attract more able candidates to this school instead of them going to one of their competitors. It is not something that is going to factor in in the affordability of the school - that is where you need a bursary.

If the school is financially astute, they will have a limited bursary fund and strict criteria for qualifying. They will have forms to fill out - so that is what you will need to do. They may assess your finances themselves or outsource it to an independent organisation.

What you need to do is ask for the bursary information - you can ask the registrar for this. You do not have to approach the head, initially.

Thank you very much for your advice. It is really helpful. I have done a lot of research and have all the bursary information. But it is the unprinted, unwritten rules are what I worry about.

When I went to the open day I felt out of place as I have been out of a professional working environment since my other disabled child was born. There was nothing wrong with the school or the parents, not uber posh, just that my life has changed a lot over the last few years and I have lost my confidence. I also have no experience of the private sector.

I'll send in the report from Y2 and float the idea with his current school and see whether they are supportive or not.

The school may take into account that he has been at state school. We have been looking at one for ds because we are thinking of moving house and the timing of the move might make it hard to get a state school place as good as his current one.

They did say they take into account his previous education and give state school kids and optional 1-1 test before, to help guide parents and also so they can assess potential.

Agree that scholarship is likely to be very small and that it is bursaries that will hopefully make it affordable for you.

A lot of schools a v keen to find suitable bursary candidates. It isn't always easy to find candidates who fit the performance criteria (generally, and understandably, they will want the bursaries to go to top performers) and the financial ones. Moving over early, before the gap between the state and academic independent curriculum widens too much may make this easier.

Be confident, be upfront (they are advertising these bursaries, they want to fill them) and present yourself as someone the school would want to work with.

Don't put too much faith in his current school's views; many schools are v resistent to change and there may be complicated political backgrounds to their reactions. They may also be keen to keep him!