Sholarship when child already enrolled

[Poppadop]

Hi, my DS started at a private school this year. He's in year 2. He's really excelling there, and has suddenly just achieved so much with his maths, reading and writing. I couldn't be happier with how he's progressing there, in every way.

The school do scholarships for Y3 entry, which is open to new children joining but also current children. I'm unsure whether to put him forward. I asked his teacher about his progress and whether he'd be a good fit for the academic scholarship, and she expressed her view that he wouldn't struggle with the exam. But, I worry about additional pressure.

I don't really know what it means to have a scholarship at Y3 and what the expectations are that come with it? He's quite reserved and struggles with confidence. I'm so pleased with how he's settled in and I wouldn't want to add unnecessary pressure. For example, I don't know if, as he gets older, there may be pressure to join certain clubs or represent the school in different ways?

Has anyone but their child forward for a scholarship when they're already in the school? And what were the expectations?

For clarity this is an academic scholarship, not sport/art/music etc

It varies by school and also if it's a full or partial scholarship.

I would say, if you can afford not to then don't. It could add unnecessary additional pressure for your son but could also be the only way another child could afford to attend.

Children whose parents can’t afford fees are far better off applying for bursaries, not scholarships.

@Poppadop what exactly does the scholarship offer? Presumably a nominal reduction in fees? Name engraved on an honours board, maybe? I have known boarding prep school scholars whose (yr 5 or 6) award was a 50% reduction in fees which could be topped up by a 50% bursary - so a really substantial benefit. There was no extra pressure once they joined the school, beyond being in the top set, which was as expected. They’re still only small in year 3 so it’s unlikely they’d be asked to do anything onerous.

The only thing is that such an early scholarship isn’t likely to carry much weight for independent senior school applications.

But I really don’t see that there’s any harm in trying for it. The experience of that extra effort should stand a child in good stead for future study - whether if not they’re successful in this instance.

Previously, yes - but assuming this is within the UK, many independent schools are struggling financially now due to the new taxation rules and cutting down on bursaries offered. Best chance for academically able pupils from lower income families is through scholarships. Schools will want them for high performance on SATs etc to make their data look better and bring in more fee paying pupils.

Thank you for the replies. @MsOtisReflects yes I think it's a nominal fee reduction - the school have said it may carry a means tested reduction...We aren't struggling with the fees, and sent him without even considering the scholarship to begin with. A fee reduction would be welcomed but, given we can afford it, I'm not sure if we should.

Isn’t it an accepted thing now for scholarship recipients to be invited to forgo any monetary award if they don’t need it?

To be completely honest, while most academic rewards should be a nice thing to have, year 3 seems a little premature.

DD got a ⅓ off her school fees from age 11 or 12 to 16 I think. We didn’t out her forward for it but she and another girl were offered it after they did some tests.

It was very welcome and very helpful.

DD went for the Y8 academic scholarship and did the assessment in Y7. It’s opened up some great opportunities in allowing her to partake in various activities and go on trips, but there is no monetary value to it.

The opportunities increase when she joins the senior school next year and include things like university trips and mentoring. She’s really thrown herself into it and is definitely more focussed on her school work this year!

I would say go for it! If their teacher says they could do it I’m guessing your child will see the challenge as an opportunity and you can manage the stress. It could just open more doors later, always worth a try I think!

What do you mean by pressure for your son?
I got a (very small) academic scholarship when I transfered to 6th form. It made the fees cheaper, and that was it. My brother got a massive scholarship to a big name school. He got his name on a board, and that was it. Can't remember if it carried through to 6th form or not. Once awarded, there was no acknowledgement or difference between those with full fees, those on scholarships, and those with bursaries.

My DC were both granted academic scholarships (5%) when they entered Y3 at their existing school, on the basis of their academic performance. It didn’t place any additional expectations on them - just as I think is the case in many places, they were expected to keep up their academic standard to maintain the scholarship.

Thank everyone. Is it odd to go for a scholarship when you're already part of the school / only just joined? I don't know why but it feels odd? When it's part of the admissions process, I can see how it might help sway the decision to attend...but, when you're already there, then you've already decided that it's the right place and you can afford the fees. Am I thinking about this far too much?

@underthecovers thanks for the response. I'm not sure what pressure I'm thinking of really, particularly for a y3 student. Doing readings and joining certain clubs maybe? Although "debate club" isn't exactly a y3 thing. I'm probably over-thinking that bit too 🤣

My school seem to do this but I’d be interested to see how many people take it up. If we were lucky enough to get one I’d definitely want the cash. It might have been the done thing back in the day but when you’re looking at £30k for day school fees, even pretty wealthy people might baulk at giving away £3k for a 10% award.

Are you sure the scholarship is funded? Our private school has them and they just mean more work and responsibility for the child, no money attached. I'm not sure what benefits they really have apart from something for their CV.

Hey — yes, my school did this, and it’s not odd at all to apply when you’re already there.
A couple of things to check:

1. What’s the award in reality? Is it an actual fee reduction, or mainly a title/recognition with maybe some extra stretch work? A lot of “scholarships” now are small or non-monetary, so it’s worth asking what it usually amounts to and whether it can be means-tested.
2. What expectations come with it? In most schools, especially at Y3, there’s very little “pressure” attached day-to-day. The main requirement is usually just maintaining good effort/attainment, rather than joining loads of clubs or “representing” the school.

If he’s settled and his teacher thinks he’d cope with the assessment, I don’t see harm in letting him have a go — you can frame it as a low-stakes challenge and see what happens.