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 Junior 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 long writing task and a 1-hour long 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 Junior 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.

13+ Basil Hume Scholarship

Basil Hume Scholarships are held by students in Years 9 to 11. Scholars either follow a Liberal Arts pathway (encompassing English and humanities) or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematicsincluding 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 long general task, a 1-hour long 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 measures 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.

16+ Senior Scholarship

Senior Academic Scholarships are held by sixth form students who are capable of attaining the highest results at A level. They 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 long 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.

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.

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.

There is also an interview with the Head of Senior 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.”