Sports scholarship East Sussex/Kent

[Toolatefortea]

Wise mumsnetters - we have a sporty, bright, but lacking in confidence yr 5. We are coming from a small state primary where he is top dog and has been for a number of years, but obviously don't know the standards at private schools. We think he is talented, deep down he knows he is, but struggles to admit it publicly! We are currently looking at schools in the East Sussex/Kent area for yr 9 entry (he is already down for a local prep near us further West for the interim two years). We don't know the area well but are planning a move to be near my aging parents so I am coming to you for advice. We have been told (and are fairly confident) that he would be sports scholarship standard if he continues the way he is. The thing is, we need the scholarship to help with finances, but don't want to put him in an 'easy scholarship' school just for the sake of it. Competitive sport makes him do better academically and if he finds himself in an 'also ran' school sports wise, or one that hands out scholarships willy nilly - (he will need to feel he's there on genuine merit) then we think he'd be demotivated.

I'd therefore be very interested to hear your opinions on the sporting abilities and level of scholarship competition at the following schools... we need to find one somewhere in the middle, as far as how hard it is to get a sports scholarship is concerned. So, from East to West (I think...?!)

Brighton College
Eastbourne College
Bedes
Battle Abbey
Claremont
Ashford
Kings Canterbury
Tonbridge

Hope my rambles make sense and thank you in advance!

Please be mindful a sports scholarship is likely to be 10% maybe 15% max. Depends too on the sport if it’s played at the school? And what level you think he’s going to be at by then, our sports scholars are county level around year 5/6 playing amongst u12/u13s. It’s a very high standard,

we are a Midlands based not your location apologies but those are the standards here.

Many thanks indeed - I am aware that discounts are tiny, but every little helps - not to mention the confidence boost it would give him. He is very capable, plays all sports outside school to a high level (rugby too, but obviously there's no county selection until they're older). He isn't fussed about a school that plays football or rugby (I know some schools do one or the other)

What about Hurst or Ardingly? Do you want single sex or coed? Where does the prep typically feed?

Yes good suggestions, thank you, I’ll have a look at those too! Any ideas on the scholarship standard at either school. His (future) prep doesn’t have a specific school it feeds to don’t think, but we’re not there yet so it’s a question I’ll ask.

Does it do CE (Tonbridge still use it I think) ? Some of those schools intake at 11+.

Yes it does (I thought all preps do??) .. we’ve contacted some of the schools above and have got the ISEB info where relevant for next year too as I’m sure some will offer/reject applications by the end of year 6. We can’t move area for 2 years for various reasons which is why he can’t start until year 9.

There is a trend away from CE unless they feed more traditional secondaries. Some will use it for entry, others set their own entrance tests, but yes many pretest in year 6 and may make an offer conditional on CE results.

Not Battle Abbey if your focus is on sports - its sports offering is pretty limited because the site is small.

Have you considered Whitgift? Very sporty and generous scholarships. Very wide catchment.

I wouldn't have considered Battle Abbey/Claremont/Ashford as known for Sport schools unless something has changed since I lived in that area.

Be cautious of sending a child to a predominantly boarding school as a day student (Kings Canterbury/Tonbridge).

What sport is it? There’s state schools in Kent there offer basketball training to a high level. Would you consider this?

Thank you both, Whitgift is just too far I think. Good points re day/boarding ratios. I also fear the Tonbridge sports scholarship, being extremely sporty, (and an all boys school) may be too much of a reach? Could the same be said for Kings (albeit Co-ed)

Also, Kent is a grammar school area. Have you factored in this for secondary school before the year 9 entry?

A good , sporty grammar school may be another option? I believe there was a list published recently of top sporty state schools.

No, not basketball, but thank you. The main team sports really (Hockey predominantly, but also cricket and football/rugby..) he thrives in a team environment, probably because he feels he can hide behind his teammates, even though he stands out. The confidence thing again and hoping maturity will ease this!

Thank you, but we cant move until the summer before he enters year 9. Grammar would otherwise have been an option (we’ve briefly thought about Cranbrook, but I hear they are planning on stopping yr 9 entry.. is that considered a sporty school in line with some of the others listed above?

No Cranbrook is not on par with the independents. Might be worth looking at the national inter-school competitions to see where these schools rank.

https://www.judd.online/page/?title=In%2DYear+Admissions&pid=59

You can join grammar schools later than year 7, but looks like still have to do tests. I’ve listed Judd school above, which is usually considered a sporty school.

@Toolatefortea Kings Canterbury, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge don't require Common Entrance Exams any more. All of them make offers in Y6.

With regards to standard required for sports scholarship - not one of the schools you list - but at ours scholars are a MINIMUM of county first team standard or are on the youth pathways at major clubs (Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea). They have five scholars in various school years competing at national level.

It’s a sporty school but not one that you’d instantly think “sport” if asked its main strengths.

Might you qualify for a bursary rather than relying on a sports scholarship?

Thanks so much, I appreciate the advice. We’re not too worried about the likelihood of him getting a sports scholarship.. we’re confident for many reasons, it’s just him that isn’t!

Bursary is unlikely but not my main concern, it’s finding the right sporting fit first, then tackling the academic side!

I would definitely reach out to the admissions teams at all these schools, telling them about your child’s particular talents and interests and arranging visits, either for Open Days, or for a personal tour. You will get to see the facilities for yourselves, hopefully meet some pupils and get a feel for the place. If the school feels right for you, you can delve deeper into the scholarship / bursary aspects.

Tonbridge is imo the best at sport on that list, but as such competition for sports scholarships will be fierce - they do however offer bursaries and foundation awards to provide fee assistance so it's really worth a conversation with admissions.

Thank you! I assumed that would be the case, considering it’s all boys with a 140 year intake..

Does anyone have any views on Sutton Valence? I’ve now discounted Battle, Ashford and Claremont as echoed by some previous posters.