Please Talk to Me About Scholarship for a Private Senior School...

[rockinhippy]

DD is currently year 4, so as I've not dealt with Senior School at all yet - I've no idea if this is something I should be looking at NOW & if not, WHEN should I start making enquiries/getting her name down etc

I'm wondering if I'm slow & need to act now, as I've heard on the grapevine that one of DDs classmates already has a place at our local Private School

Also how does the Scholarship system work ?? - & what if anything improve her chances of qualifying?? - out of school interests perhaps ??

I've been led to believe that as DD is considered G&T level, this will help with Scholarship - is that right ??

We are still torn between going this route & our local state schools - though I doubt we can afford private on DHs wages - my earning power is better, but unfortunately my health isn't, so we rely on him - hoping this can change, but sadly I can't bank on that anymore :(

We are very lucky that the only 2 in our catchment area are both known to be excellent Schools - BUT I've heard recently that one has a bad reputation for how it deals with bullying around here, we don't really get a choice - you put your preference, but Schools are allocated.

DD has been a target of bullying several times already, even from her group of friends sadly pretty & clever etc makes her a target :( - so this is a big worry, especially she has health problems that flare up due to this sort of stress (IBS) this can mean she misses school or is ill at school, so naturally affects her ability to do as well as she can at School - though thankfully she's ahead enough that so far its not held her back.

She is very feisty, so for the most part copes pretty well with bullying & already has some pretty good coping skills that she has worked out for herself, :) BUT it does still make her ill - hence why we are considering going this route as hopefully we then DO have a choice of a School that does deal well with bullying - the private School is also a short walk from our house - the others a bus ride away - which could be of benefit as she often gets very tired (not yet diagnosed but have my suspicions) & a shorter day could help there when exam stress etc kicks in - she never gets stressed by exams/schoolwork - just unkind DCs

So I'd be very grateful for any info you can give me on this please

TIA

You can access grammar schools without going private if you live in an area that has state grammars. When looking at senior schools I would be quite open and ask what their scholarship/bursary policies are. No point setting your sights on a school that won't consider you.

As for bullying, it goes on in private schools just as much as state schools. If that is a particular concern then you need to discuss it when considering which schools you apply to. Ds is moving schools (from one prep to another) and I've been completely candid with his new school about issues at his current school (not bullying related).

Thanks bisjo - sadly there are no other grammar schools in our area & yes, that what I intend to do, I have found an enquiry form on their website & intend to be open in my approach via that.

Bullying is a concern, but even more of a concern is how it affects DDs behaviour, I don't like her feeling she has to opt out of things for fear of doing well & p'ing others off, which is a bit of an issue ATM - one of our local state schools is fantastic & if I could be sure we'd get in there then I'd be happy, but we don\t have a choice as such

I wouldn't ask those sort of questions via an enquiry form. I'd arrange a visit and discuss it then. First visit without dd and then if it is positive do a visit with her. I assume you are looking for year 7 so viewing in year 5 is the right sort of time to start viewing possible options.

Thank You :)