Scholarship Opportunities 2023 Entry
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About Our School
Wells Cathedral School is a day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2 to 18. It is the only school that offers specialist music training for talented musicians as part of a wider, all-round school community. We have a proven track record in academic excellence, a wide range of co-curricular opportunities, a strong creative arts programme, a variety of competitive and recreational sports and a programme of outdoor educational opportunities, including Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
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We encourage all pupils at Wells to work and play hard, so that they can develop and make the very most of their respective talents and skills, becoming the best they can be in all their endeavours. We want pupils to take full advantage of the extension activities available to them. These enrichment opportunities are especially directed at our Scholars. We want Scholars to be not only leaders and role models in their particular fields, but also keen to stretch and challenge themselves so that they can nurture existing passions and discover new ones.
http://wells.cathedral.school/scholarships
Our Scholarship Programme Every year we award a number of Scholarships to recognise current talent and potential in a wide variety of fields. In addition to a financial award, our Scholars receive enhanced educational opportunities and privileges to help them develop their talents. You may apply for up to two Scholarships. If successful, you will receive one Scholarship in one or both fields. An All-Rounder award may be given, at the discretion of the Head Master, to a pupil who narrowly misses out on an award in one specific area but who nonetheless demonstrates a strong commitment to our core values. The application process and financial awards for our Specialist Music programmes or Choristership are completely independent to the Scholarships outlined on pages 4-15. Please see pages 18 (Choristers) and 19 (Specialist Music) for details.
01749 834441
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Academic Scholarships Criteria For entry at Years 7, 9, 10 and Lower Sixth Academic Scholarships are awarded to pupils based on their current academic ability and potential. Applicants should be achieving in the top 10% of pupils nationally.
Benefits and Expectations
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Opportunities
Academic Scholar
Wells Pupil
Participation in stretch and challenge within lessons
compulsory
optional
Access to subject specific enrichment opportunities
compulsory
optional
Attendance at talks by visiting speakers
compulsory
optional
Academic role model in lessons
expected
desired
Fortnightly Think Tanks (Years 7 to 9)
compulsory
optional
Fortnightly academic enrichment sessions (Years 10 and 11)
compulsory
optional
Timetabled academic enrichment lessons (Lower Sixth)
compulsory
optional
Oxbridge preparation sessions
if appropriate
if appropriate
http://wells.cathedral.school/scholarships
What to Expect on the Scholarship Day •
• •
•
•
An interview with their Head of Year or a member of our Senior Management Team A group activity A 30 minute Thinking Skills assessment (sample paper available on request) Two 30 minute problem solving assessments in their chosen subjects (Sixth Form Candidates only) A one to one interview with our Deputy Head Academic or Head of Academic Enrichment
Review Process All Academic Scholars will receive a formal review of their progress and performance in November of Year 8 and November of Year 11.
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Art Scholarships Criteria For entry at Years 7, 9, 10 and Lower Sixth Art Scholarships are awarded to pupils who will make an outstanding contribution to our art department. Pupils should have a genuine passion for art as well as a natural flair. Candidates need to prepare a portfolio of their most recent work and a sketchbook to bring to our Scholarship Day.
Benefits and Expectations
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Opportunities
Academic Scholar
Wells Pupil
Access to high quality art teaching
yes
yes
Attendance at weekly art club
compulsory
optional
GCSE Art
compulsory
optional
A level Art
compulsory
optional
Access to visiting art specialists
yes
yes
http://wells.cathedral.school/scholarships
What to Expect on the Scholarship Day •
• • • •
An interview with their Head of Year or a member of our Senior Management Team A group activity A 30 minute drawing test A one to one interview with our Head of Art (Mr David Heath) All candidates need to submit their Art Portfolio to Mr Heath via email (d.heath@wellscathedral-school.com) by 13th January 2023
Review Process All Art Scholars will receive a formal review of their progress and performance in November of Year 8 and November of Year 11.
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Drama Scholarships
Criteria For entry at Years 7, 9, 10 and Lower Sixth Scholarships will be awarded to pupils who can make a difference to our Drama Department. Candidates should have dramatic experience both inside and outside of school and demonstrate a true passion for drama.
Benefits and Expectations
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Opportunities
Academic Scholar
Wells Pupil
Access to high quality drama teaching
yes
yes
Half termly Scholars’ drama meetings
yes
no
Participation in School production
compulsory
optional
GCSE Drama
compulsory
optional
A Level Theatre Studies
compulsory
optional
Scholars’ theatre trip
yes
no
Access to Drama workshops
all workshops
some workshops
http://wells.cathedral.school/scholarships
What to Expect on the Scholarship Day •
• •
•
•
An interview with their Head of Year or a member of our Senior Management Team A group activity A one to one interview with our Head of Drama (Mr Damian Todres) to include a performance of their two prepared contrasting pieces (one may be musical theatre) All candidates need to submit a list of previous dramatic achievements to scholarship@ wells-cathedral-school.com by 13th January 2023 All candidates need to bring a portfolio of programmes, photos or certificates to the assessment day
Review Process All Drama Scholars will receive a formal review of their progress and performance in November of Year 8 and November of Year 11.
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Mathematics Scholarships Criteria For entry at Years 7, 9, 10 and Lower Sixth Our Mathematics Scholarships are awarded to pupils with truly exceptional mathematical ability and potential.
Benefits and Expectations Opportunities
Academic Scholar
Wells Pupil
Access to high quality Maths teaching
yes
yes
A Level Further Maths (Sixth Form)
compulsory
optional
Opportunity to enter Olympiads and challenge papers
compulsory
some pupils will be invited to take part
Weekly additional Maths lessons (Years 7-9 and Sixth Form)
yes
Set 1 pupils will have an opportunity for one formal enrichment session per fortnight from advent term onwards
Maths enrichment as a GCSE option (Years 10-11)
Pupils will also have lessons from our visiting professor of mathematics and complete an HPQ (research project)
no
Maths enrichment as an A level option (Sixth Form)
Pupils will also have lessons from our visiting professor of mathematics
no
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http://wells.cathedral.school/scholarships
Be a Specialist Mathematician for a Day Candidates for entry at Year 7 are encouraged to attend one of our Be a Specialist Mathematician for a Day events on either Saturday 11th June 2022 or Saturday 5th November 2022. To register, please visit https://wells.cathedral.school/ openday
What to Expect on the Scholarship Day •
• •
•
An interview with their Head of Year or a member of our Senior Management Team A group activity A 30 minute problem solving Maths test. This is an open ended puzzle which you will not need to prepare for A one to one interview with a Maths teacher
Review Process All Mathematics Scholars will receive a formal review of their progress and performance in November of Year 8 and November of Year 11.
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General Music Scholarships Criteria For entry at Years 7 and 9 We offer two pathways for talented musicians. This, our General Music Scholar Pathway, is for someone looking to pursue music alongside their academic programme as opposed to one of our Specialist Music Programmes, which are for musicians looking to make music their primary focus (see page 11).
Overview Our General Music Scholars take their instrumental lessons in school with our highly respected team of visiting music staff (lesson fees can be found on https://wells.cathedral. school/fees). Like our Specialists, they have access to ensembles, orchestras, accompanists and our exceptional facilities. However, unlike our Specialists, our General Musicians pursue a full academic timetable and typically progress to university to study an academic discipline. For more details, please visit https:// wells.cathedral.school/whichpath
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http://wells.cathedral.school/scholarships
What to Expect on the Scholarship Day •
• •
•
An interview with their Head of Year or a member of our Senior Management Team A group activity A one-to-one interview with our Deputy Director of Music to include a performance of their two contrasting pieces Should any candidate require accompaniment for their performance please submit a copy of the accompaniment via email (scholarship@wellscathedral-school.com) by Friday 13th January
Review Process Scholars may audition to transfer to one of our specialist programmes if they achieve a suitable standard and desire to do so.
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Sport Scholarships Criteria For entry at Years 7, 9, 10 and Lower Sixth Scholarships are awarded to pupils who have the potential to make an outstanding contribution to Sport at Wells. Candidates should already be playing sport both inside and outside of school, whether via the club or county route. Our top Sport Scholarships will go to candidates of County standard or above.
Benefits and Expectations Opportunities
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Wells Pupil Aspirational Performance
Elite
Access to excellent coaching
yes
yes
yes
yes
Ability to represent the School at team level
yes
yes
yes
yes
Guidance with goal setting and reviewing
yes
yes
yes
yes
Sports seminars
no
yes
yes
yes
Nutritional guidance and advice
no
yes
yes
yes
Advanced fundamental movement skills coaching
no
yes
yes
yes
Sports mentor
no
no
yes
yes
Strength and conditioning coaching
no
no
yes
yes
http://wells.cathedral.school/scholarships
Opportunities
Wells Pupil Aspirational Performance
Elite
Leadership training
no
no
no
yes
Sport specific mentor
no
no
no
yes
Access to external coaches and expertise
no
no
yes
yes
Performance analysis
no
no
yes
yes
Opportunity to gain coaching qualifications
no
no
no
yes
What to Expect on the Scholarship Day
Review Process
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programme at the aspirational level and aspire to progress through the levels throughout their time on the programme. Our Elite Scholars are currently performing at national level.
• • • • •
An interview with their Head of Year or a member of our Senior Management Team A group activity A fundamental movement assessment An interview with a member of our Sport Department An interview with their Head of Year or a member of our SMT At least two games activity sessions in their preferred sports
Scholars will habitually enter the
All Sport Scholars will receive a formal review of their progress and performance in November of Year 8 and November of Year 11.
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http://wells.cathedral.school/scholarships
How to Apply and Money Matters How to Apply Candidates need to submit our scholarship application form as well as our registration form/fee (external only) by Thursday 1st December 2022. References and any supplementary information need to be submitted by Friday 13th January 2023 (see our Checklist for details). Our forms are available on our website or by contacting our admissions team. Details of our Scholarship Day will be sent upon receipt of application.
Money Matters Most scholarships will be worth 10% off school fees, but we have a finite number of scholarships worth up to 50% for truly exceptional candidates. Candidates will be notified with a decision by 10th February 2023 (all decisions are final). Additional means-tested bursaries may be available; please contact our admissions team on admissions@wells.cathedral.school or 01749 834441 for more details.
Key Events and Deadlines Open Morning Saturday 8th October 2022 (please note that we’d be happy to arrange a bespoke visit at any time)
Scholarships Online Q&A Saturday 5th November 2022
Scholarship Form Deadline Thursday 1st December 2022
Deadline for references and any supplementary information Friday 13th January 2023
Scholarship Day (Sport and All-Rounders) Monday 23rd January 2023
Scholarship Day (Academic, Art, Drama, General Music and Mathematics) Tuesday 24th January 2023
Decision Day All candidates will hear from us by Friday 10th February 2023
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Chorister Scholarships Boys and girls aged 7-13 who have a passion for singing are encouraged to apply for a place as a Chorister in Wells Cathedral Choir. All Choristers are awarded financial Scholarships worth 25% of school fees, which may be supplemented by further funding through national grant-giving bodies.
To apply, please book a pre-audition by contacting our admissions team as early in the academic year as possible. We also recommend you attend our Be a Chorister for a Day on 17th September 2022 to get a feel for Chorister Life. Successful pre-audition candidates are invited to attend our
They also can earn up to a 20% discount off their fees once they have finished their time in the Choir.
Chorister Auditions.
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http://wells.cathedral.school/scholarships
Specialist Music Programmes Our Specialist Music programmes are for talented young musicians aged 8-16+ who wish to make music their primary focus. They receive a world-class music education, typically progress to study music at conservatoire or university with the aim to perform at a professional level and are eligible for either the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) grant funded by the Department for Education (DfE) or one of our own Music Scholarships. The meanstested MDS grants are worth up to 100% of tuition, boarding and music tuition fees. Our own Music Scholarships range from 10% to 50% of day fees with meanstested bursaries available. We recommend candidates attend our Be a Specialist Musician for a Day before applying for an Audition. Please see our website for our Specialist Music programme fee structure and for details on how to apply for and prepare for an Audition. Talented musicians who don’t wish to have a career in music should consider our Music Scholar Pathway (see page 12) instead.
Key Dates and Deadlines Music Auditions Saturday 26th November 2022 (deadline: 11th November 2022) Saturday 4th February 2023 (deadline: 20th January 2023)
Be a Specialist Musician for a Day Wednesday 28th September 2022 (deadline: 21st September 2022) Wednesday 16th November 2022 (deadline: 9th November 2022) Wednesday 11th January 2023 (deadline: 4th January 2023) Wednesday 8th March 2023 (deadline: 1st March 2023)
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Find Out More If you would like to find out more please contact us on 01749 834441 or email scholarship@wells.cathedral.school (please email admissions@wells.cathedral.school for music and chorister related queries)
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