Radley scholarships

[Pumpeedo]

DS has won a place on the Warden's List for entry in 2016. DS is a strong all rounder but we will need a scholarship to scrape together the fees. We understand that the Radley scholarships are super competitive and that in an attempt to raise the early registration standards, they are far tougher to win than many other senior schools. Does anyone out there have first hand experience of this route? Does anyone have any suggestions for similar full boarding schools that may be less competitive to get in to??

I've no experience of Radley, but be very careful if the only way you can do this is with a scholarship/bursary combination. Schools that only offer bursaries to scholarship holders really can pick and choose and you need a back up to avoid disappointment.

St Edwards? Similar area and I understand there are generous bursaries attached to scholarships.

DS did this exact route. He starts in sept.

Speak to your prep school head. Loads of Scholarship past papers are on their web site, so current school should have an idea if an academic one might be possible. I think they awarded 4 or 5 academic ones this year.
PM me if you like.
And well done on the Wardens Place - not easy to win either!

Pumpeedo - the scholarships are worth 10% off fees max. So c£3,500 per year. Do you mean you need a bursary and he will only get a bursary if he wins a scholarship? (Talk to the Bursar about access to bursaries). I assume you are talking about an academic scholarship? Talk to your prep school to ensure they prepare him sufficiently and in time (exams are in early March not May) - 15years of past papers on the website, so no excuses! I don't think they are tougher to win vs other schools - they are competitive, yes, but compared to Winchester, Eton or Westminster, St Pauls, KCS the papers are more straight forward in my opinion. The scholars are not going to make a material difference to the public exam results - or the " attempt to raise the early registration standards" as you put it. The year group will be 140. There are a lot of very bright boys there (who also manage to play in the 1st team, sing in the choir, play in the orchestra and act in the play) - I think the DNA of Radley is to encourage a boy to be as rounded as possible and to participate fully in everything that is on offer.

Other full boarding schools - St Edwards, Sherborne. Both are lovely schools which offer both A levels and IB (Radley only does A levels), very sporty and Sherborne has the advantage of being single sex but in close proximity to Sherborne Girls so there are lots of joint activities. Both in towns vs Radley which is a rural campus. All 3 schools will have academic DC capable of going to Oxbridge and other top universities (if that is any measure of academic prowess?).

I want to echo other posters to point out the difference between scholarships and bursaries. Although there is an element of financial reward with a scholarship, these days they are principally a recognition of academic excellence. Bursaries are there to help parents who would otherwise not be able to afford to send their son to the school, they don't necessarily have to be top of the school.

If your DS has won a place then the school obviously likes and wants him. I think that the first thing you should do is contact Radley admissions and ask them for further information about applying for a bursary to help with fees.

Your DS may well be scholarships material as well, which will probably increase your chances of a bursary too.

Thanks IndridCole. I understand Radley will only offer bursaries to scholars, unlike many other schools. I also understand (from prep head) that recently Radley have been trying to bump those already registered with boys from the Warden's List. Other posts on MN would support this. On the advice of 1805 I have contacted the bursar today. Does anyone know of any socials to avoid? I understand some are known for being a bit swotty and boring.

Ah, I see, their website is not very informative on the subject!

I wish you and your DS the best of luck anyway .

Pumpeedo - If your DS is joining via the WL, I'm not sure you get a choice of social - this is from the Radley website

"Boys applying through the Warden’s List, or for Scholarships, Foundation Awards or 6th Form entry will be allocated a Social by the Warden".

List boys start receiving offers at the end of year 5, so if the place is accepted and deposit paid, unless they are academically borderline (an issue for prep school and parents as Radley have no way of knowing as they (currently) don't assess) or accept a place at another school (eg. Eton), then the year group starts to fill. It must drive Radley mad as they do the WL assessments in year 7 and many families keep 2+ offers going until Dec of year 8. That is probably why, around the edges, there is some angst as to absolute numbers coming from the List and the WL.

Thanks everyone for your help. Will report back next March with an update and keep my eyes peeled for you 1805!

You're correct Sleepingdog. That said I'd prefer to send him elsewhere than to a social that doesn't suit him. I dare say they consider his HM report when allocating socials.

Good luck Pumpeedo - below is info re: bursaries, again from the website. It doesn't look as if they are scholarship dependent.

Radley aims to widen access and is committed to ensuring that all can aspire to a Radley education regardless of the ability to pay. Bursaries of up to 100% have been created to fund places for those who would contribute to the life of the school and benefit from what it offers.

Scholarships

About 25 awards are made available each year for academic excellence, exceptional talent in art, music and drama or all-round ability.

The value of these awards is up to 10% of the annual fees. These awards may be supplemented by a means-tested bursary to make a total award of up to 100% of full boarding fees. Applications for such bursaries should be made as early as possible.

Foundation Awards

Foundation awards are available for boys from the maintained sector who require substantial finanacial help. The extent of the award will be determined by means-testing, but could amount to 100% of full boarding fees. Foundation Awards exist for boys at 11+, 13+ and 16+. For those at 11+ Radley will provide support for 2 years at a Prep School before continuing to Radley at 13+.

Candidates should be academically able and ideally possess other talents, eg. musical, artistic or sporting.

Silk Award

This award (amount dependent on ability and need, determined by means-testing) is for a candidate showing all-round qualities whose parents are not able to afford full fees. Between candidates of equal merit, preference will be given to sons of clergymen and boys living in Oxfordshire.

Armed Forces Fund

Radley Armed Forces Fund bursaries are available for the sons of any service men or women of all ranks who have been killed in the service of their country or discharged as a result of their wounds or injuries regardless of whether or not they have connections with Radley.

Bursaries

For boys who are currently at Radley and whose finanacial circumstances change, some additional funds could be made available to allow them to continue their education at Radley.

Hugo Rutland Fund

The Hugo Rutland Fund provides help for current Radley parents facing unforeseen financial difficulties.