Academic Scholarships
Academic Scholarships
Academic enrichment and extension form a core of the academic programme for every student in our community: we provide stretch, challenge and additional learning opportunities for all students. On top of this there is a supplementary programme for our most able students. Through our Academic Development Award programme in Years 7 and 8, Academic Basil Hume Scholarships in Years 9 to 11, and Senior Academic Scholarships in Years 12 and 13, we provide a tailored programme to cater for students who are gifted across a number of subjects. Through this, we hope to develop an intellectual curiosity and exploration beyond the confines of the curriculum. At the heart of our approach is mentoring by a teacher specifically allocated to match the interests and strengths of the young person, as no significant learning can occur without a significant relationship. Under the guidance of the mentor, and the enrichment opportunities Ampleforth offers, we see our scholars surpass expectations time and time again.
John Devitt Deputy Head Academic - Director of Studies
Academic Life at Ampleforth
Ampleforth promotes academic excellence by finding the best in every pupil. We encourage and support each student to realise their full academic potential, to have high expectations of themselves, and to work hard to realise those ambitions. Our academic approach is based on ‘Benedictine Scholarship’, a set of values and traits which you will learn whilst you are with us, including:
• A life-long love of learning
• To be reflective and resilient
• To be intellectually curious
• Being able to transfer knowledge and skills across different contexts
• Striving to do one’s best
• Being discerning and critically engaging with the world around you
• Developing good academic habits and a love of reading
• Becoming digitally equipped for the 21st Century
The academic scholarship programme forms part of our commitment to Progress for All as one of the ways in which we stretch and challenge our most able students.
Part of the academic scholarship programme for Year 11 and 12 centres around making applications to competitive universities. This has been highly successful in recent years with several students each year going on to study at Oxford and Cambridge universities as well as leading Russell Group destinations; despite Ampleforth not selecting purely on academic ability, 65% of all our students typically progress to Russell Group universities, leading universities overseas, and competitive subject areas such as Medicine and Engineering.
Scholarship Programme
• Group and one-to-one mentoring sessions helping to guide scholars on their learning journey and provide personalised advice appropriate to their learning stage
• Termly progress reports
• Programme of external speakers, workshops, educational visits, internal and external competitions and academic societies organised by subject area
• Scholars to maintain a log of their progress and achievements
• Support for scholars to build up a portfolio recording their academic achievements and activities - an invaluable record for writing a personal statement for university applications
• Individual support and help with preparation for applications for the next developmental stage of scholarships at Ampleforth and for competitive higher education institutions
• Access to advice, support, and careers guidance from a wide network of alumni
“There’s just about anything you want to do and you can do it at whatever level you want.You will get a fantastic education at Ampleforth, whatever your potential.”
Hannah Pomroy Deputy Head
Could you become an Academic Scholar?
11+ Development Award
Academic Development Awards are decided based on performance in our 11+ Scholarship examinations and carry a 10% discount on fees for the duration of Years 7 and 8. To stimulate independent and critical thinking and encourage pupils to deploy relevant facts and arguments persuasively, successful candidates attend a fortnightly Academic Development Group where they enjoy talks, activities, and discussions on a wide range of topics. Other academic enrichment opportunities include external and internal competitions, visits to places of interest, and mentoring sessions. The Head of Academic Enrichment, who oversees the Academic Scholarship programme across Years 7 - 10, helps scholars pursue individual academic interests and prepares them for the Basil Hume scholarship assessment for entry into Year 9.
What sort of person are we looking for?
The criterion for selection for Academic Development Awards is ‘demonstrating the potential to achieve significantly beyond expectations for the age cohort’. Successful students will show flexibility of thought, an ability to explain their ideas in a clear and precise manner, and a genuine desire to learn more about the world.
How are candidates assessed?
Candidates sit a 1-hour writing task and a 1-hour mathematical assessment. Sample tests can be found on the College website. The tests measure outcomes against those that would be expected at the end of Key Stage 2. The material will be familiar and accessible for those educated previously in the state or independent sector and does not require candidates to do specific additional preparation. There is also an interview with the Head of Academic Enrichment and a member of the extended senior leadership team which will take the form of a discussion about the candidates’ academic interests and may cover their responses to the tasks they completed earlier in the day.
Every year we run a series of events for families to learn more about scholarships and development awards as well as taster days for students. Please contact Admissions to find out more: admissions@ampleforth.org.uk.
Assessments take place at Ampleforth. At the assessment day, there is typically the opportunity to meet other candidates in an informal context and complete some fun enrichment activities; this is frequently combined with a trial overnight stay.
13+ Basil Hume Scholarship
Basil Hume Scholarships are awarded to students in Years 9 to 11. Scholars either follow a Liberal Arts pathway (encompassing English and humanities) or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics - including computer science). Students are mentored by the head of a related department who assists them in exploring opportunities for further stretch and progress (for example, additional workshops, external competitions etc). The Head of Academic Enrichment, who oversees the Academic Scholarship programme across the whole College, helps scholars pursue individual academic interests and prepares them for the Senior Scholarship assessment for entry into Year 12. Basil Hume Scholarships are prestigious and honorary – they bring no fee remission. However, they are a very strong indication of a child likely to flourish at Ampleforth and can be extremely helpful in supporting a bursary application.
What sort of person are we looking for?
The criterion for selection is whether a candidate is working at a level indicating that they are likely to attain several grade 9s at GCSE in their chosen specialist area (Liberal Arts or STEM). Successful candidates will show interest and commitment to their specialism beyond the curriculum and potentially have aspirations to work and study in their chosen area later in life.
How are candidates assessed?
Candidates sit a 1-hour general task, a 1-hour mathematical assessment, and a 1-hour test in their chosen specialism (Liberal Arts or STEM). Sample tests can be found on the college website. The tests measure outcomes against those that would be expected at the end of Year 8, and the material will be familiar and accessible for those educated previously in the state or independent sector and does not require candidates to do specific additional preparation. There is also an interview with the Head of Academic Enrichment and a member of the extended senior leadership team which will take the form of a discussion about the candidates’ academic interests and may cover their responses to the tasks they completed earlier in the day.
Assessments take place at Ampleforth. On the assessment day, there is typically the opportunity to meet other candidates in an informal context and complete some fun enrichment activities; this is frequently combined with a trial overnight stay.
16+ Senior Scholarship
Senior Academic Scholarships are held by sixth form students who are capable of attaining the highest results at A level. Successful candidates reflect a special talent, interest, and potential in their A level subjects and these students will usually be predicted to attain at least two A* grades at A level.
Students are mentored by a Head of Department from a relevant subject who will assist them in exploring opportunities appropriate to their aspirations. These scholarships carry no financial award.
What sort of person are we looking for?
Successful candidates for Senior Academic Scholarships will be intellectually curious, eloquent in the way they express themselves orally and in writing, and show a sense of independence and drive in their academic studies. They will have achieved or be expected to achieve mainly grade 9s at GCSE and will have the potential to achieve two or more A*s at A level, proceeding on to a highly competitive higher education institution.
How are candidates assessed?
Candidates sit a 3-hour assessment, consisting of four 45-minute papers: a general paper (assessing critical thinking and writing skills), and three subject specific papers chosen from the range of academic A level subjects offered at the College. Sample tests can be found on the college website.
There is also an interview with the Head of Academic Enrichment and a member of the extended senior leadership team which will take the form of a discussion about the candidates’ academic interests, their aspirations and may cover their general paper.
Assessments take place at Ampleforth and are frequently combined with a trial overnight stay and the chance to meet current scholars.
“The school really helped me to excel academically and I was always pushed to my full potential. The staff were always happy to offer support whether I was struggling or wanted a challenge.”
Charlotte Academic Scholar
Expectations of our Scholars
Academic scholars are expected to make strong and ongoing contributions to the academic life of the College, to work hard, and to set a good example to others. It is anticipated that they will work in at least the top 20% in terms of effort grades and consistently attain within the top 10% of their cohort (or their areas of specialism, where appropriate). Senior Scholars are expected to be role models and active leaders to younger students in the College through involvement in academic societies and other activities. Scholarships are monitored and the appropriateness of the award is reviewed annually.
Recent Academic Scholar University Destinations:
2022
• Cicely Craston: Anthropology, Durham University
• Mani Desai: Politics, Sociology and East European Studies, University College London
• Phoebe Heintz: Anthropology, University of Oxford
• Laurence Hirst: Classics, University of St Andrews
• Moyu Honjo: Molecular Bioengineering, Imperial College London
• Serena Hopkins: History, University of Edinburgh
• Rufus Philpott: Mathematics, Durham University
2023
• James Bridel: Classics, University College London
• Frank Collin: Philosophy and Theology, University of Edinburgh
• Arthur Kavanagh: Mathematics and Statistics, Durham University
• Charlie Mitchell: History, University of Oxford
• Harriet Pettifer: Philosophy & Theology, Durham University
• Grace Walker: Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh
2024
• Melisa Anyim: Chemistry, University College London
• Stephen Armstrong: Medicine, University of Exeter
• Josephine Blake-James: Theology, Religion and Philosophy, University of Cambridge
• Alix Hamilton: Music, University of Cambridge
• Finn McCarthy: German and History, University of Edinburgh
• Will Shipsey: Classics, University of Oxford
• Emmanuelle Vidal: Biochemistry, Imperial College London
• Mary Yorke: History, Durham University
For further information about Academic Scholarships or the assessment process, please contact the Admissions Office: admissions@ampleforth.org.uk or 01439 766000
Bursaries
Those in need of financial support are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries. The award of a scholarship is a very strong indicator of a student who is likely to flourish at Ampleforth, and it can be extremely helpful in supporting a bursary application.
www.ampleforthcollege.org.uk
Ampleforth education is
Co-educational Catholic boarding and day school for Years 7 to 13
Ampleforth College, York, YO62 4ER 01439 766000 admissions@ampleforth.org.uk www.ampleforthcollege.org.uk