ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Being an Academic Scholar has really broadened my horizons, giving me insight and interest in areas I would never have thought to explore otherwise. Freddie - Academic Scholar
ACADEMIC for Life
Academic Scholarships Academic enrichment and extension are at the core of Ampleforth’s educational programme for every student in our community. Within our Benedictine tradition, scholarship is not simply a means to academic success, but part of a lifelong search for knowledge, understanding, and truth. Our Academic Scholarship programme provides additional opportunities for the most academically able and curious students. Through Academic Development Awards (Years 7-8), Basil Hume Academic Scholarships (Years 9-11) and Senior Academic Scholarships (Years 12-13), we seek to stretch students across disciplines, deepen their curiosity, and encourage exploration beyond the curriculum. At the centre of the programme are weekly Scholars’ Lunches, where students encounter new ideas, texts and questions alongside peers and teachers who share their enthusiasm for learning. The emphasis is not simply on knowing more, but on thinking more deeply. Our hope is that the habits of scholarship formed at Ampleforth endure forever, helping students navigate their lives with curiosity, confidence, and intellectual independence: part of their Compass for Life.
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 lifelong love of learning + Being reflective and resilient + Being 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 Despite Ampleforth not selecting only on academic ability, the majority of our students progress to leading Russell Group universities where they study a wide range of subjects. Part of the Academic Scholarship programme for Years 11 and 12 centres around making applications to competitive universities. This has been highly successful with several students each year going on to study at Oxford and Cambridge universities and other top, world-class institutions in the UK and overseas.
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
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. Successful candidates attend weekly Scholars’ Lunches along with the older Academic Scholars to explore new ideas, think more deeply, and develop the confidence to pursue an idea wherever it might lead. 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 the school, 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 an Academic Development Award 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. This takes the form of a discussion about the candidate’s academic interests and may cover their responses to the tasks 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 usually 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 supported by the Heads of Subject in related fields who assist 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. This takes the form of a discussion about the candidate’s academic interests and may cover their responses to the tasks 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 usually 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. This takes the form of a discussion about the candidate’s 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.
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.
Scholar Destinations: 2022 + Cicely Craston: Anthropology, Durham University + Mani Desai: Politics, Sociology & 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 & Theology, University of Edinburgh + Arthur Kavanagh: Mathematics & 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 & Philosophy, University of Cambridge + Finn McCarthy: German & History, University of Edinburgh + Will Shipsey: Classics, University of Oxford + Evie Tempest: Anthropology, Durham University + Clementine Tighe: Medicine & Surgery, Newcastle University + Emmanuelle Vidal: Biochemistry, Imperial College London 2025 + Alix Hamilton: Music, University of Cambridge + Anna Harrison-Topham: Politics & International Relations, Durham University + Finbar Flannery, Theology & Religion, Durham University + Anastasia Wu: Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London + Henrietta May: Mechanical Engineering, Exeter University + Harry Ludiman: Business & Management, Durham University + Amber Rego: Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast + Daisy May: Medicine, Queen Mary University, London + Annie Mitchell, Theology, University of Edinburgh + Sasha Reed: Italian & English Literature, University of Edinburgh
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
ACADEMIC for Life
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.
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. See our website for full details of upcoming Scholarship Assessment Days and closing dates for applications: ampleforthcollege.org.uk Ampleforth College, York, YO62 4ER 01439 766000 admissions@ampleforth.org.uk