Mixed schools near(ish) to Beckenham for 13+ (scholarship) entry

[Flitterflutter]

I have a very academic daughter who is not happy in her current school. We are considering 13+ entry for independent schools, but we would need her to get a scholarship (for various reasons, we wouldn't be likely to be eligible for a bursary). I have looked and a lot of schools seem to only do 13+ entry applications deferred from Y6, which we have clearly missed.

She has identified Caterham, but it is really too far; Alleyns (no 13+ entry). We have found St Dunstans, but I wasn't sure if that was the best school for her.

One of the goals is to get a school with really good extra-curricular activities (sports and clubs).

I am not really familiar with the independent sector, but I wondered if there were more schools, perhaps with school buses from Beckenham that we weren't too late to apply for? Any thoughts/experiences would be appreciated.

Did you check the monetary values of scholarships at schools you’ve already looked at? It’s often a nominal sum these days - as schools prefer to be seen to be widening access by using their money for bursaries. So the award of a scholarship might not make much difference to affordability for you.

You don’t mention your daughter’s age but, as you’ve noticed, many independent schools have their 13+ entries finalised two or even three years ahead of entry. So it’s tricky if you’ve missed those application points. But there’s always an element of churn - particularly now, as the pandemic will have discombobulated people’s finances.

(No knowledge of schools in your area, I’m afraid. I can tell you that the threshold for bursaries is much higher at boarding schools, as their fees are much higher …)

Even the deferred 13+ schools may have places for additional candidates taking 13+ . It is always worth a call but funding may be already be allocated or due to be assessed shortly.

Royal Russell has entry at 13+ and there’s a direct tram from Beckenham Junction. Scholarships available and you’re not too late to apply (although the closing date isn’t that far away).

I wouldn’t bank on a scholarship though. They are highly sought after and competition stuff. How will you all feel if you fall in love with any school but can’t afford it? Scholarships usually only attract a 5-10% fee remission and at a lot of schools give no discount at all. Schools are increasingly offering scholarships for “honour” only and using the bursary schemes to cover funding shortfalls.

Bishop Challenor’s near Shortlands? I don’t know how academic it is though.

Can I ask how academic Royal Russell is? I had the impression it was perhaps less academic than Trinity and Whitgift?

@ghislaine it is a great location but sadly a catholic school wouldn’t work for our family.

@LIZS oh, I hadn’t even considered that would be possible. I will look again at some of them, although I am still struggling to know what is going to be a feasible distance!

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues you are certainly right about the value of some scholarships. There are a few out there that would maybe be feasible (e.g. more than the 5% or even 0% I’ve seen). Boarding school isn’t an option.

@Flitterflutter Of course it’s not as “academic” as Trinity and Whitgift in the sense that it’s not full of only the very brightest / highly tutored children selected at 10-11 years old. They have a much more mixed intake.

But many very bright children chose to go there as it’s NOT an academic hot house. They have a gifted and talented programme, set in the main subjects and sometimes it’s better to be at the top of the cohort than scraping along at the bottom. Children do very well there. Two thirds of GCSEs were grade 9-7. Their sports and extra curricular are beyond impressive, and as they have boarders there it has that buzz about it.

I would encourage you to find out more and move away from pure league tables, results and the reputation on the street. You are looking to move your daughter from an environment she’s not happy in. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find. Definitely don’t discount it.

You can’t beat visiting any of these schools in real life though. Your gut reaction is usually the right one!

You should also put her name down for chance vacancies at Alleyn’s, JAGS etc and keep in touch with the schools

Eltham College is another one worth looking at. No formal entry at 13+ but occasional places do come up. School bus from Beckenham.