Page 2 | Sport scholarship - only 1 sport

Yuja · 2023-04-26T11:49:03+00:00

My DD is a very good swimmer - she comfortably qualifies for a range of events at county level and is on track to reach regional level next year. She currently goes to a state primary, however, through her club she has become aware of a local private school that has a strong focus on high performance swimming and is keen to apply. We can't afford it by any stretch of the imagination so would also need a bursary, but the scholarship booklet says they must be assessed in 2 sports. DD only has 1. She hasn't got the opportunity to play anything else as her school is tiny and doesn't run any sports clubs, and I don't have enough time to take her somewhere else for it around her swimming and my other DC. Is it still worth applying for sports scholarships on 1 sport or no point? Swimming is one of their listed main sports.

Glittertwins · 26/04/2023 18:26

We've kept it as a hobby that they're good at. We can't afford school fees in case of loss of enthusiasm, unable to meet school expectations. We know of one this year who got a scholarship and lasted one term before returning.

CurlewKate · 26/04/2023 20:56

Check what the maximum bursary they offer is-many private school bursaries are only contributions, not full.

CurlewKate · 26/04/2023 20:57

Sorry- also consider the cost of uniforms and other necessary "stuff". Make sure it's covered.

lolo99 · 28/04/2023 19:56

It's the same with music etc, your second instrument doesn't need to be amazing but you need to be excellent in your first. Check out if she/he is excellent in the first and IF the school actually wants that sport. Also academically they need to be excellent.

CatfordKitten · 01/05/2023 11:08

We have been approached by a school who want to offer our DS a sports scholarship. He is currently in Year 8. The school are very keen for him to join them.

Is it worth it, currently at a private school without a scholarship. Do you think he will need to sit some sort of test? What discount on fees am I likely to be offered?

Madcats · 01/05/2023 11:20

Scholarships at DD's school are worth about £1,500 and all pupils have to sit an entrance exam (which I assume they have to pass). The school does have a few pupils on full bursaries (it is an old school with a fair amount of money in the Bursary fund) and, per their website they tend to be 40-100% of fees.

Every school is different.

You will need to look on their website and talk to the Bursar, CatfordKitten.

CatfordKitten · 01/05/2023 11:48

No details on website of how much scholarship is worth.

CurlewKate · 01/05/2023 12:22

@CatfordKitten Ring the bursar and ask-they will have something in mind if they've approached you. Be wary though-you need to know what happens if, for example,your son's current promise doesn't continue and what time commitment he'll be expected to give in and out of school.

leftandaright · 01/05/2023 22:04

swimming alone is harder to get a sports scholarship to most schools as it isn’t one of the main sports that most schools regularly compete at. For maximum sports scholarship potential, your child needs to be able to make a difference to the team’s performance on the big Saturday fixture list. Typically hockey, netball, tennis, athletics, cricket . Not to say swimming alone won’t be appreciated by all schools - only you may need to look further to find a school willing to give a financial discount to what is perceived as a minor sport at most private secondary schools.

At my dc’s school, they have a child who swims nationally for a non uk country and whilst they get dedicated training 7 days a week at the school (and they are not a sports scholar as they don’t offer breadth to the schools sports teams) it’s not enough to maintain fitness for swimming comps at a national level. Most swimmers at elite level need to be at day schools for club training or choose very specific swimming senior schools (mount Kelly and ????)

caringcarer · 01/05/2023 22:41

If she swims 6 times a week she will have good fitness. Running would be a good second sport for your dd. Try taking her to a Parkrun. My DS plays cricket to county level but also runs twice around a lake near our home 3 times a week, 3km each time.

Pearfacebananapoop · 01/05/2023 23:21

It's definitely worth a try but be prepared... my daughter is also a competitive swimmer, incredibly fit but not a runner by any stretch. We went to a sports assessment (not a bursary but similar set up for 4 places). The reason we went is this is a boys school that had just started taking girls and I completely under estimated the level of competition. There was girls there in Wolfrun outfits, England Tennis, England Rugby.... DD came out in tears! She still places 25th which wasn't bad out of 100+ girls but the level was a shock. Had she had to swim it rather than run it would have been fine!

Original poster

Yuja · 02/05/2023 09:18

leftandaright · 01/05/2023 22:04

swimming alone is harder to get a sports scholarship to most schools as it isn’t one of the main sports that most schools regularly compete at. For maximum sports scholarship potential, your child needs to be able to make a difference to the team’s performance on the big Saturday fixture list. Typically hockey, netball, tennis, athletics, cricket . Not to say swimming alone won’t be appreciated by all schools - only you may need to look further to find a school willing to give a financial discount to what is perceived as a minor sport at most private secondary schools.

At my dc’s school, they have a child who swims nationally for a non uk country and whilst they get dedicated training 7 days a week at the school (and they are not a sports scholar as they don’t offer breadth to the schools sports teams) it’s not enough to maintain fitness for swimming comps at a national level. Most swimmers at elite level need to be at day schools for club training or choose very specific swimming senior schools (mount Kelly and ????)

It is a major sport in this school- which is why it's caught her attention! I get what you're saying though I'm sure hockey or netball would be beneficial but she doesn't have those

OP posts:

Bapbap · 02/05/2023 09:21

Pearfacebananapoop · 01/05/2023 23:21

It's definitely worth a try but be prepared... my daughter is also a competitive swimmer, incredibly fit but not a runner by any stretch. We went to a sports assessment (not a bursary but similar set up for 4 places). The reason we went is this is a boys school that had just started taking girls and I completely under estimated the level of competition. There was girls there in Wolfrun outfits, England Tennis, England Rugby.... DD came out in tears! She still places 25th which wasn't bad out of 100+ girls but the level was a shock. Had she had to swim it rather than run it would have been fine!

Yes there's a big difference between swimming fit and running fit. Most sports scholars will be expected to do some training with other sports scholars (not necessarily allied to their chosen sport) and they will be expected to keep up. Our school uses the bleep test and that's hugely influential.

Atkins77 · 02/05/2023 09:40

We have a very similar situation as you have. You should apply and aim for SCH and BUR, which could be well over 50% of all fees. The other advantage is that these special sports colleges provide much better training conditions compared to a local state school and your local club together, so she is likely to perform even better by attending a school such as Mt Kelly. For us, the bottom line is your (her) ambition, is it all in swimming or are academic as important? Very few balance both... it is possible, but not easy, so very few reach top-level swimming (or other sport) and end up at a top university. An example would be the Bath Swimming program and swimmers such as Cameron Brooker.

GracieGracieGracie · 02/05/2023 10:04

Could you say/hint which school it is? I'm very familiar with private schools in the SE so may be able to offer some advice.

CatfordKitten · 02/05/2023 12:47

Mixed school known for outstanding sport.

GracieGracieGracie · 02/05/2023 22:55

MF? If so, got friends there.

Bapbap · 02/05/2023 23:03

Whitgift?

MrsSlats · 07/05/2023 09:37

Definitely apply.
My daughter is a sports scholar for gymnastics. Our school, on paper, has a 2 sports rule but on closer inspection I found out it is only applied to all round sports scholars...doing netball, hockey etc. Anyone on a minority sport scholarship, gym, tennis swimming etc doesn't have to compete for other teams.

On the assessment day they were tested in a range of sports....from team sports to cross country and gymnastics. They aren't looking for the next Jessica Ennis Hill....just girls with an ability above their peers.