Scholarships - criteria

[mulberrybag5]

Hi everyone

does anyone know anything about the criteria for sports scholarships? How good do you actually need to be? Ds1 is at county level for 2 racket sports (he’s currently in primary) and I appreciate it’s not a huge reduction from fees (one of the schools I’ve look at doesn’t offer any reduction) but wondered if he may be eligible? I appreciate it depends on the individual school so broad advice would still be so helpful!

Thank you.

Very much depends on the school and what their sports focus is. For instance, a lot of schools will offer a decent scholarship for very talented rugby players.

Many look to be cricket and hockey focused!

There are usually a set number of sports scholarships, so they’ll be given that number of the best applicants. With a bias to sports that the school focuses on as PP says.

Your DC certainly sounds talented so worth a shot!

Thank you! I’ll see what I can find out at open mornings!

It depends on what the school's main sports are. DS got offered a sports scholarship and he was strong in two of their main sports. He is also very good with athletics. They did tests on running, speed, jumping etc (in addition to the main sports).

It will vary hugely. Attainment is one aspect but potential and fitness is another. They will assess those who may be able to transfer existing skills and physical talent to other sports to represent the school, even if no previous experience of those specific sports.

It really does depend on the school and their priorities (and how competitive it is to get in generally), but often in the younger age groups they will be looking for all round athleticism, coach-ability and particular strength in one or two sports. Scholarship details for various entry points are usually on the website.

Sixth form scholarships may be offered to players really proficient (county or national level) in a particular sport to boost the school’s first team.

Whether it is right or not… ChatGPT suggested the following 7 schools as being good for tennis : Reeds, Ewell Castle, Cranmore, Bedford, St James’s, Merchiston Castle, Strathallan.

No idea about any of them other than Reeds which does have a good tennis rep.

For tennis I would say playing regularly on the age group national circuit (grade 2s) and qualifying for the end of season grade 1 (top 16) would get you a scholarship at a decent tennis school. Age group nationals, if they haven’t changed in the last 10 years are u9/10/12/14/16/18 so u9/10 is before secondary entry.

None of those tennis schools are near us sadly!

Look at the school perspectus and see what they are saying about sports. I know a boy that gets a sports scholarship who is a county level cricket player who actually plays in county team 2 years older than his age group. He has to play for his school team every Saturday and sometimes in other sports too. He has to be at Open days in case parents wish to ask him about the sporting aspect. He gets 30 percent off full fees.