Prep School Scholarship

[DoWeDontWe1]

Good morning all.
I was hoping someone with experience could advise me. Oldest DS due to start Prep school in Sept. They offer an academic scholarship, which is only worth a fraction of the fees, but every little helps. He seems very bright.
Anyone here whose DS got a scholarship to a UK boys' Prep and who could tell me where their DS was at age 6? In terms of reading level, reading material, general academics. (NB I am not talking about the 7/8+ - but a non selective Home Counties type boys' Prep - feeder to the big public schools.(
Thanks so much.

They offer a scholarship at age 6 - not year 6?

The latter seems more familiar to me for the type of school you describe. (6 year olds surely don't know enough of anything for this to be a worthwhile exercise?)

And - I'm not sure the comparison you're asking for would be much use. If it's a competitive scholarship then surely they just award it to the child who does best on the day?

Sorry - I'm not being much help, but the situation seems highly unusual.

No it's for Year 3 entry. Thanks for the reply. To be honest I'm not sure we'll go ahead with it. Thanks.

Whyever not?

My feeling is that it's always a good idea to attempt a scholarship if it falls naturally into your path.

A) It pushes the child to strive for the highest possible standard - which is surely a good thing as they enter a new school. Whether or not they win the award.

B) It suggests ambition on your part to the school. You've said 'every little helps' regarding the fees. You don't say you've applied for a bursary - but if he does reasonably well in the schol exam that might be helpful if you should later need help with the fees.

C) Right now, preparing for the exam would be a very good use of a child's time ...

It's a little tricky to advise because all schools do their own thing.
Some offer scholarships at 7 because they want to attract dissatisfied state-school parents, and it's a good time for a change with the move from KS1 to KS2. A scholarship can help cement the idea that they're making the right choice to move their child and take on the burden of fees. Some want to attract pupils in areas they're usually strong in but they have a paucity of that year (e.g. musicians or players of specific sports), some want to up the average level of ability for the cohort, some want to broaden the diversity of children's backgrounds, etc etc.

As to the level children receiving scholarships at that age were working at... children who have attended academic pre-preps from early years are likely to be quite ahead of those that have been to a non-pushy state primary. I'm not sure any concrete examples will be of use. DS' friend came from state infant school, on a scholarship (minute, sadly) with maths knowledge and skills four or five years above his peers. His other subjects were completely average for a 7yo.

DS' friend came from state infant school, on a scholarship (minute, sadly) with maths knowledge and skills four or five years above his peers.

• Whereas our own (then) small scholar could only have been said to be significantly advanced in wit, charm, and being himself. Perfectly clever child who prepared for and performed well in the exam without much stress - he had been coasting at his previous school. But I'm pretty sure he was awarded the scholarship because he interviewed well, seemed like someone who would really benefit from what the school offered, and - crucially - looked likely to impress the Public Schools we and the prep had in mind.

Thanks for your replies, both. Really helpful. The school offers them across all year groups (not Yr 8) for incoming pupils. There are only a few each year. DS appears very bright and is definitely ahead but I don't know if he's ahead enough to win one. Anyway - we may well give it a whirl and see - nothing ventured!
No we wouldn't qualify for a bursary and the scholarships aren't worth much, but I'd estimate they're probably equivalent to what we'd be paying in extras, so that's why I say every little helps! He's at another prep at the moment - not a pre prep - so feel a bit awkward asking their advice!