Private schools and scholarships - help

[Miaou]

Dh and I are considering what to do with our dd1 when it comes to secondary schooling. She is a very bright child (she is P3 at the moment but most of the work she is doing is at P5 level) - but very quiet and shy. She just loves to work, adores the academic stuff but I shudder to think of her in an average state school environment, where learning is not "cool".

Basically, we are wondering about seeing if she could get a scholarship to a private school, where academia is valued, and where she may be less likely to suffer the swot syndrome. I should add that both dh and I went to state schools, underachieved and hated every minute of it, as we were both ostracised for wanting to work hard. If I thought dd1 would have to go through that it would break my heart.

I would really like to know more about the private sector schooling, particularly scholarships - how "bright" would you have to be to get one? What qualities do schools look for? Do private schools foster and encourage a positive attitude towards learning that differs from state schools? What do you particularly like about the private school your child attends?

I don't really want to get into a state v private argument, but would love a bit more info on this subject.
TIA
Miaou

Hi Miaou

Your dd1 sound a bit like mine. We're looking at the secondary schools this year in anticipation of transfer next year (Year 6).

Here in London there are plenty of state schools with an academic ethos -- I know your situation is rather different on a Scottish Island (!) but I'm not sure there is such a thing as an 'average' state school. Sure, there are plenty of schools that might not suit the more 'bookish' child, but I'm sure there are others where such a child would find soulmates, good teaching and a supportive environment. So don't dismiss them out of hand.

Having said that, there are scholarships available at private schools, although these tend to total a maximum of 50% of fees, which would still mean a large outlay if you were thinking of boarding. Some have means-tested bursaries to top the scholarships up for deserving but impecunious families.

The 'how bright do you have to be' is a 'piece of string' question. Someone whose opinion I respect said of my dd1 that she wasn't sure that she'd be up to scholarship level, despite having finished Year 6 maths by the end of Year 4, and reading constantly, ranging from Jacqueline Wilson to Animal Farm and Dickens.

Make of that what you will. This may get controversial, so if you want to email me off-MN, do!

I'd have a look at what's available near to you. Sometimes a private school which isn't the MOST academic (i.e. thinking not St Paul's girls-type place) will actually be better for someone like your DD (from your decription). The competitiveness in some "academic" schools (both state and private) can be overwhelming and as off-putting as the "work is for swots" attitude.

As Frogs says, individual schools offer different sorts of scholarships and sometimes there are scholarships if there are family links to army/church etc. As a rough guide your DD should be performing at least level 5 in her SATs (do you have them in Scotland?) but many schools prefer to use verbal reasoning tests etc.

dh got ascholarship to monmouth and altho this was years ago apprently one orf the reasons he got it was that when he was asked what he liked to do in his spare time, he didnt say chess ro whatever, he said he liked to play!
aaaaaaaaaaaah

my brother and sister got scholarships here but its boarding

ladywallopofcod, when were your brother and sister at CH?

My brother went and my nephew was Senior Grecian two years ago.

Miaou - I went to the High School of Glasgow - and really, really loved it there. 3 of my best friends had bursaries and they were definitely bright (6 As at Higher and went on to get Firsts at uni), but obviously you can't really predict that from just sitting an entrance test. It's very, very selective academically, ability to pay is definitely secondary to spotting potential in children.

I went there from age 4 -18 and each year we would take the entrance test ourselves to give the benchmark for applicants. But there was a lengthy interview process too with and without parents. If you teach at the school, your fees are reduced substantially, similarly if either you or your spouse is in the armed forces or a minister. Fees also decrease after 2 children.

It's a great school, best in Scotland academically, but also places a huge emphasis on extra-curricular activities - very into the arts and drama and very sporty too. I was "average" by my school's standards (3 As and 2 Bs at Higher) but my other achievements were never overlooked - I was into music and drama. The pastoral care system is great, and discipline is obviously a priority.

Financially dh and I aren't in a position to consider it for ds at the moment, but then he may not even pass the entrance test anyway (but he's only 2! )

Miaou - a friend of mine is based overseas but is planning to come back to the UK next summer. She used The Good Schools Guide (you probably know you can subscribe online),to try to get a "flavour" of some schools she was considering for her 3 kids. She also used a School consultancy or some such thing to help in the search; they gave advice based on her requirements for the children, eg. what's good for a sporty/ academic/musical child. She was very impressed in that she felt the advice was very tailor made. I think the details are on the GSG website.

To second Marialuisa, scholarship requirements vary from school to school; there is no single benchmark of achievement to aim for. You just need advice on the standards required at the schools near enough to you.

Thanks very much everyone for your advice so far. I'm fairly ignorant of the whole private school system, so at this point any information is helpful!

Frogs, I accept that there are some state schools that are better than others but often that is so difficult to judge. My school looked great on paper and in visits; the problems occurred for me higher up the school where I suddenly found that to be non-conformist was a crime. In terms of our location, I think that if we were serious in pursuing this line we would move somewhere appropriate, given that we will probably have to move for secondary education anyway.

MariaLuisa, thanks for your comments about picking a school that has a balanced approach to academia - an important point to consider, particularly after reading some of the comments on the homework thread!

Coddy (love the new name, please keep it, I can say I have titled friends now ), at your ds!

Thanks for the links, Coddy and MofS, Glasgow looks particularly appealing. And thanks Hectic for your advice.

I think we need to go and have a good think about this - as things stand at the moment poor dd1 would certainly not pass an interview as she will not speak to anyone she doesn't know!

alib we were all there

Ladyc, is the sad face because you didn't enjoy it?

it was boarding i was 10!
pooor cod
brother liked it

Boarding at 10...ouch. If we stay where we are dd1 will be boarding at 12 and I think that is soon enough tbh.

My brother and nephew hated CH the first year but learned to love it thereafter.

My brother wouldn't send his son, or my nephew his when he has one, but the other nephew loved Royal Hospital School Hobrook Ipswich.

I was supposed to go to CH at 11 too, coddy, my head master talked my parents out of it.

When were you there? Brother waas in Barnes A then Peele B.