Sixth Form Scholarships, Awards and Grants 2026-2028
INTRODUCTION
This guide provides detail on the Scholarships, Awards and Grants that are in place to support students in the Sixth Form. For each, the guide covers: (a) the application process; (b) the achievements and qualities that we would expect to see in a successful applicant; (c) the responsibilities that would be placed upon a successful applicant throughout the tenure.
The specifics vary from award to award, however they collectively share a single aim: to support and promote Leadership within the Sixth Form, for the benefit of the wider School community. We expect Award Holders to act with Integrity, Courage, Empathy, Judgement, Ambition and Responsibility, and to lead others to do the same. And we expect Award Holders to inspire others through their actions and participation across all areas of School life.
Leadership is about people: for there to be Leadership, there needs to be those leading and, as importantly, those being led. A pupil who does well in their GCSEs or achieves Distinction in their Grade 8 Bassoon exam is not, per se, a Leader. But as soon as they inspire another with their actions, they becomes one.
This is at the heart of all that these awards serve to promote and celebrate.
2027 Summer 2027 Varied
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader.”
John Quincy Adams, Sixth President of the United States
SIXTH FORM ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Academic Scholarships are awarded to candidates who show commitment, determination, courage and persistence in pursuit of their academic goals. Academic Scholars are not only expected to display academic excellence; they are expected to take risks, show intellectual curiosity, and act as leaders amongst their peers in terms of academic engagement.
We expect our Scholars to take the initiative in sharing their ideas and findings with their peers.
To be a Scholar is to be interested and hungry for challenge.
The Programme
The Scholarship Programme is coordinated by the Heads of Scholars, Mr Elkin-Jones and Ms Hutchinson. Scholars are expected to take a leading role both within the classroom and beyond. They attend regular workshops, lectures and student-led debates, which provide opportunities for them to extend their thinking to broader contexts. The aim of the programme is to provide all Scholars with varied opportunities for challenging debate, creative disagreement and intellectual stimulation.
Who May Apply?
Students will be identified in September, following the publication of GCSE Results.
Application Process
Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview with the Heads of Scholars, Mr Elkin-Jones and Ms Hutchinson. Further details will be given at the beginning of the academic year for Lower Sixth students.
Expectations
Sixth Form Scholars are expected:
• To actively promote the School’s six traits of Leadership, through their academic endeavours
• To excel academically (both inside and outside the classroom)
• To model the qualities of an Academic Scholar – determination, ambition, resilience and above all the true spirit of enquiry
• To take advantage of opportunities to develop themselves academically beyond the classroom: for example, by entering national essay competitions, by taking part in student conferences, by contributing to School publications, by providing academic mentoring for younger pupils
• To play a key role in the organisation of the Scholars’ Dinner, and other academic events.
Requirements
• To be in it for the right reason: not to further their own CV or Personal Statement, but to make themselves and the School a better place
To have achieved outstanding levels of academic attainment throughout their education (including excellent GCSE results)
• To have consistently demonstrated a co-operative, independent attitude toward learning inside and outside of lessons, that has also been shaped by a sense of open-mindedness and humility
• To have consistently modelled the qualities of an Academic Scholar to date – determination, ambition, resilience and above all the true spirit of enquiry.
Tenure
A successful candidate can expect to keep the title, status and responsibility of Sixth Form Scholar until they reach the end of their time at Cokethorpe. At the end of the Lower Sixth, there is a review in which each Scholar must justify how he or she is meeting the expectations of the award.
SIXTH FORM AWARDS
(ART, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, DRAMA, MUSIC AND SPORT)
We believe in the importance of recognising talent across a range of disciplines. Our Art, Design and Technology, Drama, Music and Sport Award Holders are provided with opportunities to further develop their talents. Award Holders are expected to be ambassadors of their departments and represent the School in art exhibitions, drama productions, music recitals and inter-school sports contests. In return, Award Holders receive extra support from their respective departments as they progress through the Sixth Form.
Who May Apply?
Any pupil in Fifth Form may apply, whether currently at Cokethorpe or at a different school and considering an application for Sixth Form. Assessments take place in the Michaelmas Term, for the following academic year.
Tenure
A successful candidate can expect to keep the title, status and responsibility of Sixth Form Award Holders until they reach the end of their time at Cokethorpe. At the end of the Lower Sixth, there is a review in which each Award Holders must justify how he or she is meeting the expectations of the award.
ART AWARD: SPECIFIC DETAILS
Letter of Application
Candidates should submit a letter of application addressed to the Head of Art, Ms Williams (efw@cokethorpe.org); this should detail the ways in which the candidate could make an active contribution to Cokethorpe School using their artistic talent. It should refer to their particular passions and past achievements as well as illustrating character and motivation.
Portfolio of Work
Candidates should present a select portfolio of their work which may consist of a maximum of ten pieces of work and a maximum of two sketchbooks. This may include any combination of paintings, drawings or photography. Candidates could also showcase their use of digital media in the form of a short film or animation (no longer than three minutes). Candidates could also bring with them photographs of three dimensional pieces. Candidates should also include a supporting sketchbook.
Award Assessment Day
Candidates will have an interview during which they should expect to discuss issues arising from their written application. Art Award candidates will be asked to complete an observational drawing exam. Each candidate will be interviewed by the Head of Art when they will be given the opportunity to talk about their work.
Expectations
Sixth Form Art Award Holders are expected:
• To have been regular attendees of Art and /or Textile AOBs and be prepared to support current AOBs
• To have taken part in School exhibitions, Plinth installations and Community Art events in School;
• To be predicted a Grade 7 or above at GCSE
• To proactively and independently look for opportunities to enter external Art competitions and attend Art workshops to further their skills
• To support the Department on Open Days and Option events, actively promoting Art within the School and wider community
• To be in the process of completing an Arts Award qualification and continue this progression in Sixth Form (although, of course, we are mindful that some applicants would not have had the opportunity to pursue the qualification, which would be taken into account).
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD: SPECIFIC DETAILS
Letter of Application
Candidates should submit a letter of application addressed to the Head of Design and Technology, Mrs Brown (hvb@cokethorpe.org); this should detail the ways in which the candidate could make an active contribution to Cokethorpe School using their creativity and ingenuity. They should refer to their particular interests and make reference to any ‘design and make’ activities they have worked on recently, at School or at home.
Award Assessment Day
Candidates will have an interview with the Head of Design and Technology during which they should expect to discuss issues arising from their written application, and during which they will be given the opportunity to talk about their work. Design and Technology Award candidates will also be asked to complete a short design exercise where they will be expected to demonstrate their problem solving skills through annotated sketches.
Expectations in Sixth Form
Sixth Form Design and Technology Award Holders are expected:
• To be in the process of applying for an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship or Smallpeice Trust course and/ or have planned Design or Engineering-related work experience
• To have been regular attendees of Design and Technology AOBs and be prepared to support current AOBs
• To be predicted a Grade 7 or above at GCSE
• To proactively and independently look for opportunities to enter external design competitions, complete MOOCs, and work on personal projects beyond the curriculum
• To be considering a career in a related industry
• To support the Department on Open Days and Option events, actively promoting Design and Technology within the School and wider community.
DRAMA AWARD: SPECIFIC DETAILS
Letter of Application
Candidates should submit a letter of application addressed to the Head of Drama, Mrs Hooper (clh@cokethorpe.org); this should detail the ways in which the candidate could make an active contribution to Cokethorpe School using their dramatic talent. This letter should include a paragraph regarding involvement in Drama productions and any certificates of achievement such as LAMDA qualifications.
Award Assessment Day
Candidates will have an interview with the Head of Drama. Additionally, candidates are expected to deliver two contrasting monologues of no more than two minutes each. The choice of monologues should be made by the candidate and should demonstrate their dramatic range (eg comic/tragic, modern/classical). Candidates will also be expected to participate in group work in order to demonstrate their ensemble and leadership skills.
Expectations
Sixth Form Drama Award Holders are expected:
• To be an inspiring role model
• To demonstrate a genuine passion and commitment to Drama
• To represent Drama at Open Days and preview evenings
• To participate in extra-curricular productions
• To organise/produce and/or participate in independent performance(s)
• Take a leadership role in House Drama.
MUSIC AWARD: SPECIFIC DETAILS
Letter of Application
Candidates should submit a letter of application addressed to the Director of Music, Mr Wilson (bjw@cokethorpe.org); this should detail the ways in which the candidate could make an active contribution to the musical life of Cokethorpe School. It should indicate which pieces will be played and the requirement for accompaniment.
Pieces that have a written accompaniment should be performed with the accompaniment; a pianist will be provided or candidates may bring their own. Although backing tracks can be used, the School would prefer live accompaniment.
Award Assessment Day
The assessment day will require candidates to:
• Perform one short piece on first instrument or voice
• Perform one short piece on second instrument or voice
• Complete sightreading and listening tests, similar to those used by the ABSRM and appropriate to the candidate’s standard.
All candidates will be asked questions of a general musical nature, and candidates must also satisfy the Music Department of their enthusiasm and commitment to music. Additional skills such as ability in the field of composition will also be taken into account. We are looking for Music Award Holders who love music and bring enthusiasm, drive and commitment to their music-making.
At the time of the audition, candidates for the 16+ Music Award should be at least Grade 7 in their principal instrument or voice and Grade 5 in their second instrument or voice; promise and potential, however, may be as important as actual achievement.
Expectations in Sixth Form
Sixth Form Music Award Holders are expected:
• To demonstrate a genuine passion and commitment to Music
• To be an inspiring role model to others, setting a good example at all times, for example through attendance and regular practice
• To participate fully in the wide range of ensembles and play a leading role in the life of the Music Department
• To represent the Music Department and showcase what it offers at all events, concerts, tours and Open Days
• To take leadership roles in ensembles and House Music
• To participate in the Music Award Holders programme, including attending events and trips.
SPORTS AWARD: SPECIFIC DETAILS
Letter of Application
Candidates should submit a letter of application addressed to the Director of Sport, Mr Robinson (jr@cokethorpe.org); this should detail the ways in which the candidate could make an active contribution to the sporting life of Cokethorpe School. This letter should include a paragraph about representative sporting achievements and examples of leadership in the last two years.
Award Assessment Day
On the assessment day candidates will be expected to take part in the following assessments:
• Prepare and deliver a short warm up or a simple skills practice of their own choice
• Fitness testing
• Group meeting (Candidates/PE Staff)
• Individual meeting (Director of Sport)
The assessment provides opportunities for the candidate to demonstrate their personal fitness, leadership potential and sporting knowledge.
Expectations in Sixth Form
Sixth Form Sports Award Holders are expected:
To be an inspiring role model for Sport
• To demonstrate a genuine passion for Sport
• To represent sport on fixtures, Open Days and preview evenings
To participate and lead teams across all Sports
• To organise and participate in AOBs for pupils in the Corinthian Partnership and Prep School
• To be able to demonstrate the values of hard work, responsibility and commitment to Sport
• To get the little things right; to look smart, to show sportsmanship and to have respect for all.
SIXTH FORM LEADERSHIP GRANTS
At Cokethorpe we offer a unique scheme to recognise students who demonstrate leadership through their contributions to all aspects of School life, and who promote our core values by acting with integrity, courage, empathy, judgement, ambition and responsibility. By awarding Leadership Grants, we celebrate and develop the qualities to inspire others.
Successful recipients of this prestigious grant will receive a £750 contribution towards their first year university fees (or equivalent), and a further £250 budget to support an event or activity organised to benefit the School community. Grantholders may choose to merge budgets, to support a joint venture.
Each year, five grants will be awarded.
Who May Apply?
The Scheme is open to Students in the Lower Sixth.
The Application Process
Prospective candidates should write to Mr Tolputt (ejt@cokethorpe.org), by noon on Wednesday 27 January 2027. The letter, which should be sent as an attached pdf, should demonstrate, with supporting evidence, the candidate’s suitability (see Candidate Specification, on the next page). The letter should not only highlight the applicant’s past achievements and accolades, but also serve as a statement of intent – a manifesto for what he or she will bring to the Sixth Form. The letter should be detailed and specific.
The candidate should nominate, in their letter of application, a teacher to act as referee. The referee should provide a short reference - no more than 300 words - in support of the application. The reference, which should not be seen by the candidate, should be emailed directly to Mr Tolputt.
Short-listed candidates will attend a panel interview with members of the Senior Management Team, and other senior colleagues, during the week beginning Monday 1 February 2027. Following the panel interview, he or she will prepare for a Presentations Competition (which will be judged by an external adjudicator).
Grants will be offered by the middle of February; the Grant tenure will begin after Lent Half Term (Lower Sixth) and continue until the student leaves the School.
CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION
A successful candidate will:
• Inspire others, in all that they do and all that they are, ‘to dream more, learn more, do more and become more’
• Actively promote the School’s six traits of Leadership
• Be a role model to pupils lower down the School, and – likewise – to their own peers
• Be involved in many, if not all, aspects of School life, and – through their involvement – demonstrate the virtues of hard work and commitment
• Get to know pupils in the younger years, and thus lead through kindness, humility and service
• Take an active role in their own leadership development, both inside and outside the School; for example by taking part in Model United Nations and by attending student leadership conferences
• Be hard working and organised; he or she will be expected to be busy, and to manage priorities that will, at times, conflict
• Be confident to take charge and to take responsibility; be confident to let others take charge and to let others take responsibility
• Take a central role in the life of the Sixth Form Centre; they will be dynamic, proactive and creative, and have the integrity to suggest ways in which the organisation or fabric of the Sixth Form can be improved
• Be looked up to, as though as an adult, by children in the Prep School and in the lower years; they will be expected to run AOBs, and to be actively involved in the Tutor Partnering scheme
Be independent and self-reliant; they will be required, with little support from teachers, to organise an event or activity to benefit the School community
• Be in it for the right reason; not to further their own CV or Personal Statement, but to make the School a better place.
CPFA TRAVEL GRANTS
The CPFA Travel Grants provide generous financial support to Lower Sixth students who intend to travel during the Summer holidays. Individuals or groups may apply for a grant; preference will be given to initiatives that are planned and organised independently, with little or no adult involvement (or that of an organisation). If an application is successful, the size of the grant will depend on the nature of the planned travel and the number of other successful applications; however, expect in the region of a few hundred pounds.
The Grants are intended to support travel that is educational in its broadest sense, that brings benefit to community, and that strengthens connections. Activities should be of educational, cultural, academic, charitable and/or ecological value. For example, a subject-specific Summer School, an overseas trip to support EPQ research, or a ‘full immersion’ visit to develop a language.
Through these Grants, students will be encouraged and expected to look beyond the immediate, and to strive to become more interesting and interested young adults.
Who May Apply?
The Scheme is open to Students in the Lower Sixth.
The Application Process
Individuals/groups apply to Mr Tolputt by Noon on Monday 31 May 2027, as a formal letter of application with a travel itinerary, details of the activity, and details of costs and funding (emailed to ejt@cokethorpe.org as a pdf attachment). Applicants will then have an interview with Mr Tolputt and Mrs Cooper.
THE PATHWAY TO SIXTH FORM: KEY DATES
2025
Tuesday 17 June
Sixth Form Preview Evening (for all Fourth Form and their parents)
Tuesday 14 October Sixth Form Taster Day (for all Fifth Form)
Monday 3 November 16+ Awards: Deadline for Applications
Tuesday 11 November Assessment Day for 16+ Awards for Sport and Music
Wednesday 12 November Assessment Day for 16+ Awards for Design and Technology
Thursday 13 November Assessment Day for 16+ Awards for Drama and Art
Friday 28 November Sixth Form Experience Day (for external applicants)
2026
Monday 12 January
Friday 23 January
GCSE Mocks Begin
GCSE Mocks End
Thursday 5 February Fifth Form PRE
Thursday 5 March Futures Fair
Friday 6 March Sixth Form Experience Day (for external applicants)
Monday 4 May Public Exams begin
Friday 19 June Public Exams end
Wednesday 24 June Public Exams Contingency Day
Thursday 20 August
Wednesday 2 September
GCSE Results Day
Lower Sixth Induction Day
September 16+ Academic Scholars identified following publication of GCSE results
PLEASE NOTE
All pupils are assumed to be staying into Sixth Form; for any pupil who does not intend to stay, notice must be given in writing to the Headmaster before the first day of the Summer Term. Late notice will incur a full term’s fee in lieu of notice.
