Fee reductions with scholarships at London independents

[LimeSqueezer]

Is anyone willing to say what % off fees their children received for academic, drama, etc scholarships at London day schools (and name the school?). I have a sense that some kids are getting 30% or more off, though many are perhaps offered only 5% off. I expect this is perhaps most common at second tier schools trying to lure those likely to have offers from the very top schools. Just trying to get my head around options next year . . .

We have a confidentiality clause regarding the amount offered, such that breach of this could end up with the scholarships being withdrawn. I think this is fairly standard.

I don’t think therefore you are likely to get responses stating the value of scholarship, which scholarships they are and naming the school.

Surely speaking to your local schools and the schools you are interested in that would suit your child/reading the scholarship info on their websites would make more sense?

There are lots of variables - income if attached to a bursary, scholarships for new pupils may have decreased since posters were awards theirs, etc.

You might get lots of responses from posters on the other side of London to you, or you have a daughter and they post about an all boys school, or your child is not very sporty and their child attends a school that prioritises sports.

Yes agree, the larger % come with confidentiality clause but in general 5-10% for art, drama, sport, 10-20% for academic. For some second tier schools they will offer larger academic for a handful of dc but those dc often get grammar school offers and go there instead. If your dc is at the level of getting a tiffin offer straight out without the waitlist then that is the ability to get the more generous academic scholarship offers. Similar with sport, if they are at a top level with more than 1 school chasing them then you will get a better offer.

I think it depends, really. I know at some schools, eg Emanuel, you can combine scholarships and get quite a good discount that way. Others offer only one per student. Some have a flat rate eg 20% and others have tiered amounts.

Emanuel scholarships. 10% off but can hold more than one.

St Paul’s school - £60!!!

Your best bet is to check out the websites of the ones you’re interested in and if you need more, call the admissions officer.

£60??? Surely that's a typo? 😂

Would the school more in admin time and paper work to apply the discount ...

Thanks, really helpful, thanks!

I've looked at websites and visited, but not got clarity from Queen's College London, for example - hence asking. I'm not asking about bursaries, just scholarships.

I'm amused by the £60 from St Paul’s, though I know schools that offer 'honorary' scholarships only with no fee reductions.

Any ideas on drama scholarship expectations?

Have you emailed the schools? I am surprised they are not forthcoming as I emailed Queen's prior to ask specifically that and the registrar was very transparent.

We don't go to Queen's however were offered a drama (5%), major academic (7.5%) and music scholarship (5%). You can hold numerous at any time and children can be offered at a later stage if identified to have a particular talent (which I think is great).

Confidentiality clause here too and we’re not at Queen’s. The difference in drama offers IME has come down to a combination of the child’s dramatic CV, essentially, combined with where they are academically. A child who is already a working performer and has an exam result that’s either just about or actually in the territory of an academic scholarship can be offered a significant scholarship. A child who has done LAMDA exams and some school or local youth theatre performance and isn’t in the academic scholarship contention would be in the single digits, quite often at 5%.

St Paul’s are all ‘honorary’ - DS got £50 and a fish pin! The music exhibitions gave free tuition, though, which was handy.

SPS push all their money towards bursaries - they really think they can become ‘needs blind’.

Ah, the fish pin! That must have swayed it for you, then!! 😂

I'm aware of a few schools that only offer bursaries with no fee reductions on scholarships - interesting that that SPS's approach.

Thanks, @CatatonicLadybug and @GummyNut , I really appreciate the specifics! I've visited, but not asked these questions specifically yet. I thought I'd gather a little background info first!