100 % academic Scholarships

[ComfortFoodCafe]

Wondering if anyone knows of any schools that offer 100 % academic scholarships.

My 9 year old son is exceptionally academic with maths & science. He is working years above his peers to the point his mainstream primary school have said there is nothing more to teach him currently on the cirrculum as he knows it. (Hes currently working at KS3 for science & maths when hes in year 5.)
I know mainstream senior school isnt the answer & no schools around me (durham) offer a 100 % academic scholarship. Is anyone aware of any scholarships?
We are even considering trying for Eton college but the distance is worrying me slightly.

Are you wanting a bursary? At most academic schools nowadays, academic scholarships are often very small in terms of ££ and are more about enrichment activities etc. Schools are concentrating on offering bursaries instead to pupils who might not be able to afford full fees.

Is he equally strong in other subjects and sport? He will really need to be the full package to get that level of bursary. The only ones I know of are for exceptionally talented students applying from inner city schools for A level.

not sure where you are but what about Latymer upper? They seem to offer scholarships based on financial need but not sure if they are 100%.

As above, you mean a means tested bursary. Scholarship amounts nowadays are purely nominal (and wealthier recipients are encouraged to forego them).

If you’re interested in Eton you need to get your skates on. Do you already have all the info on the website? Have you registered so you can be kept up to date with application procedures, processes, deadlines? It’s a sensible option as it’s one of the few places that will still be able to offer 100% bursaries going forward - but if you’re serious it will mean a busy and intense next couple of years. You’ll need to be organised, resilient and optimistic - and your son will really have to want to go. (Which he can’t know until you’ve visited, of course.)

My childs school does. They have a specific foundation that offers places to kids whose parents would otherwise not be able to afford fees. It is actually a 110% scholarship.

We are in a similar part of the world to Eton though, so maybe not of interest.

I got a 100% scholarship but that was many years ago
My DC's old school offers a maximum of 25%

If he is that bright, what about Grammar Schools?

I think you need to clarify whether you are looking for a bursary, a scholarship or a combination of both? Bursaries are means tested and each school has its own criteria. Schools like Eton are obviously richer and may be able to offer more than a small town independent for example.

It is possible to get a fully funded place if your child is an exceptional all rounder but, in our experience, these childrens families were at free school meals income level. Scholarships tend to be nominal amounts, not worth much but my own ds was offered up to 50% academic scholarship (many years ago now though). This can be topped up by a bursary if you meet the criteria. I’m not sure whether the VAT addition has now affected the amount schools offer.

Yes we are looking at grammar schools, there is a independent grammar school by us that are very low fees £5,500 a year but no bursary.

Sorry all yes I meant bursary. He is not talented at sports (he struggles as hes a type one diabetic and his blood sugars always drop during it so its put him off unfortunately) but he does play piano. Yes Im on the lists for Eton, we have till April to put in the forms.

Google tells me Durham to Windsor is between 4 and 5 hours by road or rail.

So, doable occasionally but a hard slog for the unending two or three weekly round trips. Really you’d want to have a closer contact (relative, godparent, close friends) who could pick up the briefer weekends and attend sports and other weekly events, leaving you to travel down and stay overnight whenever you’re able to.

Excellent that you’re already registered. Pointless to say this, but don’t overthink it. If you and he like the school and think the school would like him, apply and trust the process. It’s just one option, but a fun one, if you have the energy.

Ah, unfortunately it will need to be in the UK. He is a type one diabetic so cannot consider anything overseas as it will complicate matters to much.

My family live 80 miles away from Windsor, if needed we would just move its not an issue. Yes i know ive left it late, unfortunately! The plan was always mainstream senior but now i see it would keep him from reaching his full potential & i have never done this before.

Lots of schools offer 100% bursaries, including all of the major public schools AFAIK. Just make sure you're searching for bursaries not scholarships.

Eton have a scheme to put exceptional boys from less well off backgrounds into a feeder prep school for 2 years. Or they did. Is that still going?

100% bursaries are available at q a few schools, depending on income, but I only know the day ones round these parts (W Mids).

You haven’t left it late - 9 is the ideal time to begin the process purposefully. Family 80 miles away from Windsor is ideal - lucky you!

Be assured that a huge proportion of Eton parents have never done this before and are driven by exactly the same motivation as you. (There’s really no great advantage, in terms of applying, in being from a family of ex-Etonians; so many are turned down and can do nothing but fulminate in their prep school headmaster’s office …)

I think that ended a good while ago, @softly.Boys can apply from their state schools more easily these days. Although some parents like to give their child a couple of years of boarding so they can make a proper judgement about senior school boarding.

My income is free school meals basically, i am carer for my eldest child who has a learning disability but I know my youngest deserves quality education that cannot be reached in a mainstream senior if you know what I mean. He is very bright, he does maths equations for fun.
Now I know its bursary I have found another with Durham Cathedral school foundation but it also depends on a interview with the head along with the admissions exam.. how does one coach a nine year old child for that?
Am I allowed to apply for more than one school to widen the chances? Or would that complicate matters?

Eton is in the UK?!
As is the school I am talking about that is close to Eton i.e. Wellington College.

Absolutely you can apply for more than one school - this is entirely normal and no school should have a problem with it. Everybody does it.

You would be mad to apply to only one school, @ComfortFoodCafe!

The whole process of visiting a number of schools, comparing and contrasting, working out which meet your own criteria - it’s a learning period and should strengthen your determination towards the schools you like.

Obviously don’t overburden the child. London parents are an alien species who seem to have no limits - but for more chilled out country-wide potential boarding parents you should, with due diligence, be able to narrow your list down to around three (at most four) places that seem keen to welcome your particular child. It’s quite a strenuous process without a prep school to hold your hand and offer guidance.

Your DS sounds exceptional. Personally though I would not want to send a diabetic child to a boarding school during their teen years when they grow so fast etc I would not be able to sleep at night.
So I would focus on top grammar schools in your area and very academic day schools but I would want to live close by.

I don't think you need to worry about coaching a nine year old for an interview. Schools know that they are interviewing young kids, and they're not looking for some kind of artificial polish or presentation (beyond basic everyday politeness). In fact they would prefer the kids to act as naturally as possible and to answer questions with their own thoughts. Schools also know that this is a stressful situation for a kid, and they will try to put them at their ease.

It's in the school's interests to identify good candidates who have natural ability. So they will try to make it easy for your kid to show his ability.

I think Atom Learning had free resources for children on free school meals. There may be interview tips on there too. Have you tried that yet?

No I haven’t, thanks I will take a look!

His happiness is important too. A lad we know got a scholarship to Eton it did not work out the gulf was simply too wide. Dd socialises with teens from a local public school we are pretty posh ourselves 😀 but even so. Dd is adamant she wouldn’t want to actually go there.

Durham maths school may be open by the time he reaches 6th form and sounds like a maths school would suit him as they go beyond the usual A level curriculum.
I think there is a private maths school opening that will offer free places but think it's in London.