Headmaster obsessed with a scholarship at a prestigious school; why?

[lightandairy56]

Not wanting to offend anyone or be goady in anyway by this post.

My current prep school Head has become obsessed with the fact that one of the secondary options we are looking at is a famous and prestigious 13+ schoool. It's mentioned every time I bump into the Head. I've told him that it's an option but actually not our first choice. (First choice is a non-famous much cheaper school which we prefer.... or the local grammar). But the Head seems utterly obsessed with the chance of a academic scholarship for my child at the famous school.

Does anyone know how much income is at stake for a prep school if they can successfully boast of success in sending one of their pupils to a prestigious secondary on an academic scholarship? Because I am now wondering whether my Head has his business hat on rather than thinking where is actually best for my son?

Before we joined we were told a few times they had successfully just sent a child to a different famous 13+ school on an academic scholarship.....and I must admit it did influence my decision to then choose that prep. I thought that the prep might be able to educate my child to the same level....and indeed it looks like they have.

My child is currently at the private prep on a 90% scholarship/bursary and the new school have pre-indicated (chat with bursar and a look Ayer our financials) that similar levels would be on offer. But I am not convinced that as a non-wealthy family he will fit in and I worry about him being teased etc as the poor kid. They also don't do a sport which my child really loves playing.

I've explained this multiple times to the current prep Head but every single time I see him it's mentioned.....to the extent that I'm starting to question the motives. I did read that prep schools love their leavers to go to prestigious next schools as it gives them great advertising etc for prospective parents with their fees. Eg i thought that if ten parents over the next few years sent two children to the prep for a few years because they were persuaded that my child had done so well, that's over a million pounds of Income. Or am I being cynical? Does anyone know from direct experience?

Not contractually, of course, ForeverbyJudyBlume. But the prep offered it because they thought the OP’s son would do well going forward. And now the Head is showing her what doing well means.

Of course she’s completely free to make any decision she wants regarding her son’s next school. And one would hope there wouldn’t be any visibly negative consequences if it’s not the choice the school would prefer. But - she did take the 90% ...

Are you the head of this prep school surprisesparday because you seem mighty intent on frightening the OP as to the negative consequences of her decision. Personally, if the secondary school doesn't offer a sport the OP's son loves that would be a very important factor. A lot of snobbery here against grammar schools, minor public schools too.

Certainly no snobbery against grammar schools on my part - Latymer is my daughter’s dream school. I just think the OP should carefully consider it before rejecting the famous prestigious school. Like many of the previous posters, I don’t think “fitting in with wealthy kids” is actually that much of an issue at those type of schools.

Erm ... Nope. Pretty sure I’m not the Head of a prep school. But I do have some (entirely pleasant) familiarity with them.

And also with MN threads where people sign up to prep schools not really understanding the purpose of the preparation being provided.

Prep schools live and die by their leavers' destinations, of course the head has ulterior motives.

Unless the OP was specifically told on accepting the scholarship that it was incumbent on her ds applying to certain schools, there is NO REASON why her son should go anywhere that doesn't appeal to them both. I agree that the poor relation worry probably shouldn't put her off the posh school, but there are all sorts of other interests why it may not appeal.

I think that Prep school heads will go to great lengths to enhance their leavers list. I know of one particular boys boarding prep who still have their leavers list from 2017 on their website ( they have renamed it recent leavers ) 😂😂😂. They are obviously waiting for a better year , scholarship wise before they update it.

I'm sure that this is an extreme example , at least I hope so .

Does anyone know how much income is at stake for a prep school if they can successfully boast of success in sending one of their pupils to a prestigious secondary on an academic scholarship?

Absolutely none. Other than indirectly, in that other parents might be inclined to send their children to a prep school which has a 'track record' for sending children on to famous schools.

I am a non-wealthy single mother. My DC1 is a 'poor' pupil at a very famous school, with a large scholarship/bursary.

It has been the best thing that could ever have happened to him. I would think very, very carefully before turning down that kind of offer.

My other DC are at good day schools, and the 'big name' school is ineffably better in every conceivable way. Interestingly, DC1's school is far more egalitarian and less materialistic than the others' day schools.

Other than indirectly, ...

And that ‘indirectly’ could make hundreds and hundreds of thousands of pounds of difference. Between a famously long waiting list that causes parents to salivate and lie awake at night, and having to take out an advert in the local papers. Between enthusiastic editorial coverage in the annual Tatler Education supplement and being stuck in the little adverts at the back. Between having an international profile because you’re seen as amongst ‘the best’, and scrabbling for international students because otherwise you may have to close. Between constant, chummy interaction with the grandest public schools, and just ... existing and wondering how much longer you can exist ...

Leavers’ destinations are, as others have said, the lifeblood of a (traditional) prep school.

@EstoPerpetua have you got all your children into high level prep/day/public schools on full bursaries?

Surprise, I'm sure that's the case with lots of prep schools. It wasn't the case with my DC's prep school, though.

I only have one with a scholarship/bursary, Tellingit. He is the one at the 'famous' school.

If the Prep doesn’t have much experience of sending to that school on scholarship what makes you think that they can successfully prepare him to actually get a scholarship? 13+ Academic scholarships to the top schools are very hard to get with intense competition

Glad someone else sees it!