Harrow Art/Music Scholarships

[boatertown]

Hello,

I am new to mumsnet and I will just do a brief intro. Our household is not a overly wealthy but rather middle class. We want our only DS to go to a good public school. DS has said Eton does not seem to be 'his' type school and he is happy to go to Harrow. We will need to apply for a scholarship and my DS is quite confidently good at Art and music.

I am wondering if anyone knows what a boy is required to do at both Art and Music Scholarship examinations.

AND: is it hard to get a scholarship at Harrow?

My DS plays the cello and french horn, he has done his 1st diploma both on cello and french horn. He has never done any lessons in Art but has received high Art prize and has been in the top Art class straight through for 3 years.

Do we have a good chance?

Are you at a prep school? What does the head say? Have you actually established how much financial reward Harrow offer to art/music scholars? Or will you have to apply for a bursary as well.
DS2's old prep used to regularly get music scholatships/exhitions to Harrow all who were successful were very good musicians grade 8 and above they were not only technically good they had a real passion and flare for their instrument(s), there's no such a thing as a dead cert when it comes to scholarships competition is fierce at schools like Harrow and over the years when DS was at prep we saw some surprising decisions.

Yes our son is at a prep school, head is confident that my DS will get a scholarship. We MAY need bursary but we will see how things run. DS has passion for his instruments and I have never had to ask him to practice because when I am about to say, he is already sitting down, playing away.
He chose all his instruments and we just supported his decisions.

scholarship value is "usually 5%" and they expect grade 5 or above - so if you can afford 95% of the fees then yes you have a good chance.

Would have thought that any 11/12 year old at Ist diploma level (beyond grade 8) on two instruments would be in with a very good chance of a music scholarship to a major public school - assuming academics also sound.

Would just add that being MC rather than super rich can be a problem when it comes to bursaries. So if you are in London and own your own modest home you are probably deemed to have £1million+ in assets plus your income. So unless you have loads of DC you will not qualify for much of a discount.....
.....Unlike certain super rich families whose five homes are all owned by family trusts and which therefore do not count

We live in a rent house and really rely on a bursary. I had a savings account since very young and used most of it to educate my DS(including his hard working father). Well, I know everything (result and reward) is up to the boy himself but I am just asking for opinions.

Anyway here done the art scholarship?

so really the scholarship questions are a red herring - you need a bursary? So contact Harrow and get the info on that?

Look at the Harrow website -it clearly states that the total value of all scholarships awarded is usually about 5%.

An art scholarship will require his current school to support him in the preparation of a portfolio and a personal statement.

Which first diplomas has he done? If it's DipABRSM at pre-13 that's very impressive ...

If he has his diploma in music at this age is he considering a career in music? That really is exceptional at age 11 and I'm really surprised that no-one at his prep has been in discussions with you regarding RCM Saturday schools or specialist music schools. My ds was pretty talented and Grade 5 on 2 instruments at that age and qualified for a music scholarship.

OH golly, I forgot to mention that he is 13 now and he will be the scholarship exam in 2017 next year. He did his cello one last year while he did his french horn once this year.

I think this has given me enough ideas and a general view about this scholarship, thank you everyone.

Does he already have a place?

Harrow are luring a perceived potential sportsman in with a 100% scholarship... why would they not do similar for someone in music of this calibre?

Yes - the Harrow sports scholarships! I find it really interesting how the major public schools recruit academy players players at both 13 and 16 on very attractive bursaries. This includes boys already at other private schools - so not really those in need. Not surprisingly they can then field outstanding first teams. They then sell their outstanding sports tuition to prospective parents who believe that their DS might also play for a national side in the future. But I always think that is a bit of a con. Unless their DS is already on the critical path at 13 he is unlikely to make it. They are just buying the talent rather than producing it themselves.
I think the same applies to music and academic scholars. They are produced and nurtured by their families or choir schools rather than the public schools but the public schools somehow take all the credit for their achievements....
It's all part of the big marketing illusion.

They changed the rules for the national schools rugby because of that, and there is now a limit to the number of players joining a school at 6th form who can be fielded.

But the short answer is yes, individual excellence at co-curricular activity is almost invariably supported by county squad training or regional youth orchestra participation or whatever.

Agree with EleanorRigby. Harrow buy in talent through their Outstanding Talent Award programme. They have scouts out and about and offer these kids full scholarships ....and then take the credit for their talent. It means their A teams are good but their lower teams are more a reflection of typical school teams.

"It's all part of the big marketing illusion"
I guess it depends on why your choosing a particular school. Let's face it results/leavers destinations are pretty meaningless (unless their poor) at all selective/super selective schools.
With regard to sporting achievement, many big name independent senior school have outstanding facilities which are essential for those training at top level and many employ top coaches. Not all we're on the "critical path" (whatever the hell that is) DS2 has friend who he competes against he didn't decide to take it seriously till he was 14 he's now right at the top of his game facilitated by his independent school who employ one of the UK's top coaches (who encouraged the boy to up his game). Rowing is another sport which many don't do before 13.

Wellington do the same...

@Happy: I think you have a point regarding minor sports (fencing, squash, lacrosse etc) at which many private schools excel. But I would argue that that is largely because these sports are not widely played outside private schools in UK so the pool of competition is limited.

Obviously private schools do have great sports facilities and coaches but I do not agree that these are responsible for the success of eg the Harrow and Wellington rugby teams. These are dominated by boys who have been training with academy sides since they were 11 and have been bought in. The role of the school is minimal - and no greater than that played by state schools like John Fisher in Croydon.

"Critical path" incidentally is a widely used term in both sport and project management. It describes the steps you need to take to get from point A to point B and when you need to take them. So eg no good taking up tennis or football at 11 if you want to play at elite level. You need to have started at 3.

Whitgift is another one where allowances are made for the child's lack of academic level when their sporting ability could benefit the school...

May I ask again, exactly which diplomas does he have?

OP - has your DS already passed Grade 8?

Had he already sat and passed the pre-test entrance exam?

It depends on the Prep School though. Does the current school have a tradition of sending kids to the big public schools? If it does, then the Head should have the correct admissions protocols in place.

Hang on ..... so DS is registered at Harrow and is due to audition as a music scholar next term? Shouldn't you already know the answers at this late stage of the game?