13+ Queen Scholarship-Westminster and Kings Scholar Eton College

[indoldrums]

Hi ,
Our DS is very capable and hardworking boy. He has passed all exams for 11plus for top grammar and independent schools but unfortunately no scholarships. We are interested in 13 + as there are scholarships with these schools although comes with boarding which we can ask for burseries. Can anyone share their experiences with tests of these schools. Further if there are any other top
Schools which provide substantial scholarships or burseries ? Thanks

Did you sit for scholarships at 11+?

From what I know of the Westminster and Eton scholarships, they are pretty much the uber-scholarships for scholars. If you didn't make the cut at 11+ for a scholarship at other indies, what plans do you have in place to get him to a much higher level by 13?

For substantial bursaries and scholarships, you will need to look at the boarding school sector - in particular the old style public schools. But most scholarships are only 10% which isn't much help if fees are around the £40k mark. Bursaries are more generous if you qualify - some schools will only consider scholars for bursaries, others will consider everyone.

What's wrong with the grammar schools? They are free so a scholarship won't matter.

If you have a places at a good grammar, think very carefully about whether it's a good idea to give that up to have a possible shot at an indie scholarship at 13 as you probably won't get a second bite at the cherry.

Why do you prefer boarding to grammar if he’s passed?

@MarshaBradyo

Why do you prefer boarding to grammar if he’s passed?

We think boarding provides more opportunities and child becomes more resilient for rest of his life.

@OhCrumbsWhereNow

Did you sit for scholarships at 11+?

From what I know of the Westminster and Eton scholarships, they are pretty much the uber-scholarships for scholars. If you didn't make the cut at 11+ for a scholarship at other indies, what plans do you have in place to get him to a much higher level by 13?

For substantial bursaries and scholarships, you will need to look at the boarding school sector - in particular the old style public schools. But most scholarships are only 10% which isn't much help if fees are around the £40k mark. Bursaries are more generous if you qualify - some schools will only consider scholars for bursaries, others will consider everyone.

We got only paltry amount as scholarships but DS is very clever and can certainly be a good scholarship candidate and if we can add up some burseries

@OhCrumbsWhereNow

What's wrong with the grammar schools? They are free so a scholarship won't matter.

If you have a places at a good grammar, think very carefully about whether it's a good idea to give that up to have a possible shot at an indie scholarship at 13 as you probably won't get a second bite at the cherry.

Nothing wrong with Grammar as they are more inclined towards exams rather than nurturing personality, confidence and character.

Suspect most grammars may disagree that they are not interested in nurturing personality, confidence and character... my boarding grammar certainly was (probably more interested in that than academics!)

Bursaries are means-tested and having known quite a few people go through the process of applying for a bursary to top a scholarship, if you are hitting the £100k before tax joint income, or you have second properties etc then you may find that the bursary offer is not much if anything.

For scholarships, pretty much everywhere is 10% - but check if that is off the full fees or only the non-boarding part as that makes a difference. I do know of bigger scholarships, but they're either at slightly less well-known schools, or are a combined academic and sport/academic and drama/academic and music. Does your DC excel in any of these - high grades in unusual instruments, county level for sports etc?

I'm assuming your DC is at a prep school if you are planning on having a shot at 13+ - where is your HT recommending?

If you are not at a prep, you may find that you need to play catch up fast as a lot of these schools pre-test in Y6 and allocate offers based on that.

If you are not already at one of a handful of prep schools the chances of being awarded a QS or a KS are small.

WUS usually get 6 of the 8 QS awarded at 13. The Eton KS tend to go to students at the Dragon, Summerfields, Ludgrove or similar. These students have all spent at least two years preparing for these specific exams with experienced school tutors.

There are doubtless many equally clever students at other schools. The prep school pool is small. But, as with athletics, you can have enormous raw talent but if you have not trained for a specific event and are competing against those who have, you are unlikely to win.

If I were you, I'd be looking at a Bursary place at one of the lesser names schools. Firstly, Academic scholarships at Big name schools are simply honorary so it makes little to no dent dent to your fees. Secondly as the PP mentioned, the Vast majority of Eton KS,Win Coll elections and Westminster QS are already at Academic preps so the chances of winning one although doable is extremely small(considering he failed to win one at lower ranked schools)

In your shoes, I'll take the Grammar place at least for now and try for a Bursary place(if you qualify) at one of the mid ranking schools.