Emanuel Schools celebrates pupils who show talent and ambition in a particular area of school life. We want to help and encourage those who show great devotion and commitment to their chosen area as well as help them to develop their skills and attributes by offering the dedicated support of our teachers.
Our clubs, societies, rehearsals and fixtures take place before school, at lunch time, after school and at the weekend. In addition, award holders will take part in a variety of additional extension programmes as well as receiving mentoring and monitoring support.
To apply for a scholarship or exhibition, there is a supplementary form to complete at the point of registration for our sport, music, drama, art and design awards.There are no forms to complete for the academic awards, they are achieved based on a pupil’s performance in the entrance assessments.
An Emanuel scholarship or exhibition is an award that comes with a title that remains with the pupil throughout their time at the school. In the case of the co-curricular awards pupils will have to reapply on entering the sixth form. Scholarships include an annual percentage fee reduction, whilst an exhibition is a one-off sum of money awarded at entry to the school. The value of scholarships is typically a reduction of 10% of the fee but can be up to 50%, it may also be combined with a fee assistance to reach a completely free place.
Any pupil who is awarded a scholarship or exhibition is expected to maintain a level of excellence and ongoing commitment to their area of specialism. For example, we would expect our academic scholars to show their intellectual curiosity by seeking to broaden their knowledge, or for our sports scholars to act as a positive role model on the playing fields.
emanuel.org.uk/admissions/fee-assisted-places
Academic scholarships and exhibitions are awarded to pupils who perform exceptionally well in the admissions process, showing great academic potential and overall ability.Academic award holders demonstrate both excellent academic progress and a strong commitment to intellectual life at Emanuel.
Academic scholars and exhibition holders are not assigned to a specific subject area but may show a particular aptitude for one or more subjects. All subjects offer additional opportunities outside the classroom, which academic award holders are expected to participate in.
Every week we run Emanuel EXPO on Tuesday lunch time. This sees a different academic department leading a discussion, seminar or workshop on a particular area of interest. For example, Old Emanuel architect, Laurence Dudeney, shared a snapshot of his work that includes the 2012 Olympic Torch, The Vessel in Manhattan, and Coal Drops Yard near King’s Cross. Whilst the Biology and Chemistry departments combined last year to put on a forensics challenge, ‘Who killed the Headmaster?’
In addition, a wide range of super-curricular events are held throughout the academic year, including the Goddard Lectures which are talks by illustrious names from industry and academia. There are other workshops led by staff and activities led by award holders to enrich and extend pupils’ knowledge.
Every candidate who takes the entrance examination will automatically be considered for an academic scholarship or exhibition. There is no need to complete a separate application form. emanuel.org.uk/admissions/fee-assisted-places
Sport is a significant part of the lives of many of our pupils. Pupils receive exceptional coaching and benefit from the excellent on-site and off-site facilities. At the main school site on Battersea Rise, there are 12 acres of playing fields, a sports centre, netball and tennis courts, a mini-astro, an indoor swimming pool, dance studio and fitness suite facility. Off-site, there are 14 acres of playing fields at Raynes Park. We have an exceptionally well-equipped boathouse at Barnes Bridge.
Sport scholars and exhibition holders at Emanuel are talented, determined and enthusiastic we expect them to act as role models to the school community. Award holders are invited to be part of our twilight programme which includes seminars from significant names within the sporting, fitness and psychology worlds. These sessions take place once per term and are designed to stretch and challenge our pupils in their areas of interest, both on the sports pitches and off.
To gain a sports award, applicants must be able to offer at least one of our performance sports which are rugby, cricket, netball, rowing, hockey and football. Sport scholars are expected to be well rounded and able to contribute to all three terms of school sport, representing the school in our comprehensive fixture list on Saturday’s.
To apply for a scholarship, pupils complete a supplementary application form that includes the opportunity to submit a reference. There are two assessment days, the first in November is for all applicants and the second in January is for those who do well in November and in the entrance assessments.
emanuel.org.uk/admissions/fee-assisted-places
In 2023, Emanuel’s Senior Boys’ Pair won the National Schools Regatta.
Tom in Year 8 is one of our sports scholars, although his strongest sport is cricket, he also plays football and rugby for the A teams. He had a stellar season with bat and ball in Year 7 amassing over 500 runs for the school, including two centuries in two days in May. Outside of school he represents Middlesex CCC and Richmond CC.
He has been supported in school by Mr White (director of Cricket and former professional with Derbyshire CCC, Lancashire CCC and Leicestershire CCC) and Mr London (cricket coach and former professional with Middlesex CCC) who run cricket coaching and mentoring sessions across all three terms.
emanuel.org.uk/admissions/fee-assisted-places
Drama at Emanuel has an excellent reputation, allowing pupils to perform to a professional standard throughout their time at school. There is a vast array of opportunities for pupils of all ages to get involved on stage or behind the scenes.
Pupils in Years 6, 7 and 8 have their own annual summer term performances. The school play runs for three nights in December and the annual school musical typically involves over 100 pupils. Recent performances include Once, School of Rock and The Addams Family. Every other year, 20 senior students travel to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to perform two shows, this alternates with Play in a Week, which last year saw a variety of productions performed in a promenade; we had MacBeth in a corridor in the sports centre, Phantom of the Opera in Chapel and a western play in the lower school playground.
Drama scholars and exhibition holders are dedicated, talented and have an appreciation for drama that goes beyond being a performer. They meet regularly with one another and members of the department to take part in workshops, visits to productions in London’s West End, fringe shows around the city and major performances abroad.
The application process involves the submission of written work and references, from which selected candidates are invited to audition. The audition consists of two parts: a group workshop and a solo prepared piece. Most successful candidates will have appeared in productions both within and beyond their current school.
emanuel.org.uk/admissions/fee-assisted-places
Art and design award holders benefit from a range of co-curricular activities in our specialist paint and print studios, the dark room for photography, a ceramics room with dedicated kiln, glazing rooms and a sculpture studio. Lower School art, weaving and clay club are all extremely popular among younger pupils, whilst award holders and A level students are invited to drawing masterclasses. Pupils are given regular opportunities to visit galleries in London, make contributions to exhibitions in school, with older pupils invited on our annual residential trip.
Potential Art & Design scholars and exhibition holders demonstrate artistic skill and passion for art and design in many forms. Applicants are initially assessed on their portfolio which is submitted electronically; selected applicants will be invited to the school for half a day in January to take part in a practical assessment and interview.
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Emanuel prides itself on the very highest standards in choral, orchestral and contemporary music.
There are over 70 events a year: ‘A Night at the Movies’ in the Hampden Hall; ‘A Night at the Musicals’ at the Clapham Grand; a DJ event at a London nightclub; a ‘Showstoppers’ concert for all pupils in Years 6 and 7; masterclasses with external professionals; carol services; ensembles’ concerts; performers’ platforms; two major house music competitions; and an annual school musical.
Within the Music department, there are 22 ensembles of all sizes, including string quartets, jazz groups, rock bands, orchestras and choirs. Pupils can get involved in workshops, festivals, competitions, community outreach and overseas trips.
Over 350 music lessons take place in school every week with 24 first-rate visiting professional music teachers. We hold ABRSM and Rockschool exams each term.
Music scholars and exhibition holders are proud ambassadors for the department. They take part in all the main musical activities of the school, participate in appropriate ensembles and attend rehearsals. They are supported by the department through termly meetings and the opportunity to take part in masterclasses, department trips to concerts in London and overseas music tours.
Those applying for Music awards should be expected to prepare two performances on their instrument(s) in addition to a spoken interview to discuss their musical achievements and ambitions. The standard of performance of the candidate’s instrument is generally at or above grade 4 at Year 6 entry, grade 5 at Year 7 entry and grade 8 at Sixth Form entry: please note it is not necessary for the exam to have been taken at the point of application.
emanuel.org.uk/admissions/fee-assisted-places
Ice in the Upper Sixth is one of the school’s music scholars. She is a DJ and took part in our club night at the Ministry of Sound, has sung Evensong as part of the choir at St Paul’s Cathedral, and at the Clapham Grand in the Night of the Musicals.
Last year, she completed her Extended Project Qualification on pop music. She created a series of songs influenced by the poems of Patience Agbabi which have subsequently attracted a commercial record deal. Outside of school, Ice plays drums as part of a three-piece punk band The Molotovs who play regularly at venues across the country.
She studies music A-Level and would like to read English literature at Cambridge after leaving Emanuel.
emanuel.org.uk/admissions/fee-assisted-places
