Independent school offers

[Prepmummmy]

In terms of independent school applications, the schematic we were given by the schools we applied to, was for a pre-assessment in October, followed by CE in Jan, and offers would be issued in February. However, we received a reserved place offer, following the pre-assessment, and I’m a little confused as to how to respond! Our daughter has already qualified for some good grammars, including Kendrick, and catchment is not an issue, but we have also applied to a couple of independent schools, on the off chance of a scholarship, and depending on that outcome, would then decide.
Is it usual for places to be offered at this stage? And in terms of returning the forms we have been sent, there is a box to tick for indicating whether we are accepting this place now, or whether the school is our 1st choice for CE. We don’t want to accept any place offered, until we know the outcome of any potential scholarship..as this could change our decision. Should we somehow inform them that we are holding out on the basis of other options? Am just not sure what the ‘etiquette’ is on responding! Any advice would be much appreciated.

I think most scholarships are 5 or 10% so if she has got a place at kendrick that would be a significant saving.

Thanks wishforsnow, I know most aren’t of huge value, but the schools we applied to apparently offer upto 30%, so it was worth a shot! We are only considering alternative options for reasons specific to our daughter, and not because we feel one is more superior than the other, so I agree the grammars would be a much easier choice for us.
Choices aside, what I was really asking, is in terms of the typical Common Entrance procedure, is it usual for offers to be made after the pre-assessment tests but before they have sat the CE exam? The timeline schematic we were given, clearly states offers will be made in February..after both the pre-test and CE exams have been taken, so we weren’t expecting to receive a formal offer so soon. Just wondered if this was common practice...thank you!

I don’t think it’s usual but it’s the equivalent of an unconditional offer from a university isn’t it? They want your DD. If they have not offered her the scholarship exams I would ask about how she could get a scholarship at this school.

I would ask to defer making a decision. From their point of view, they want to plan their finances. Knowing numbers early makes this easier. I would assume they know DDs are applying to a variety of schools so probably expect a holding response.

Only you can decide what fees you are willing to pay vs nothing. You have to weigh up any advantages that private has over the grammar and, importantly, where your DD will be happy and thrive. I would always do this over chasing scholarships. These don’t mean much in the world after school. (My DD got one).

Thank you BubblesBuddy, that's really helpful. We have also received scholarship information, so will try and defer on the offer for now.
Thank you!