ABSTRACT
Scholarships for poor scholars had a long tradition in the English public and grammar schools and universities. From the nineteenth century they were increasingly open to free competition by examination rather than nomination by a patron. In the late nineteenth century a scholarship ladder began to be established linking the elementary schools, grammar schools, colleges and universities, which was expanded in the period under review, especially after the implementation of the 1944 Education Act. Following the Taunton reforms and introduction of scholarship pupils from the elementary schools into the grammar schools, the idea of a 'scholarship ladder' developed which would take able elementary school pupils via the grammar schools to the newly founded university colleges. Parents of public school 'scholarship boys' had to provide uniform, games kit, journey money and other 'extras'. The introduction of examinations into schools and colleges brought with it the fear of failure and consequent symptoms of anxiety from pupils and students.
