SCHOLARSHIPS
SCHOLARSHIPS AT RADLEY Radley is proud to celebrate and reward excellence through Scholarships and Exhibitions. We welcome applications for Academic, Art, Drama, Innovation, Music and Sport awards for 13+ Entry, which are assessed in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms of Year 8. Most Scholarships and Exhibitions are honorary and do not carry any fee remission (apart from free music lessons for Music Scholars), but talented candidates requiring financial support are encouraged to apply for meanstested funding alongside the scholarship application.
Candidates can apply for one or more scholarships and online entry forms are available from June of Year 7. All scholarship applications must be supported by references from the candidate’s current school and external coaches/teachers, if relevant. Applications from nonregistered candidates (boys who did not apply in Year 6 or who do not currently have an offer from Radley) are welcomed at this stage.
Our Scholarship assessment days are amongst my favourites of the admissions year. We all enjoy meeting boys who have such enthusiasm, skills and talents, and it is very exciting to see the potential of each cohort. The boys really enjoy the experience as well. SOPH I E L A NG DAL E DI R E CTOR OF ADM I S SION S AN D COM M UN IC AT IONS
02 12
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS The Academic Scholarship is Radley’s most prestigious award and recognises outstanding ability across the curriculum. The two-stage assessment process is rigorous, designed to uncover raw intellectual talent and a scholastic mindset. Candidates who enter for Academic Scholarship will sit an English and Maths paper at their current school in February of Year 8. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to sit the second stage of papers over two days, one of which will be at Radley. This will include a second Maths paper, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Modern Foreign Language (French, Spanish, German or a Language Aptitude Test), and Latin and Greek (if studied). There will also be a critical thinking session, a team building exercise and two interviews, one with a member of the Senior Management Team and another with a member of the English Department. Scholarship papers from previous years are published on our website.
When I came to Radley, I was slightly apprehensive as I had never been in such an academic environment, but my scholarship gave me great confidence and has allowed me to hold my own. I had always worked hard but I have found the academic life at Radley to be one of inspiration and inclusivity. In addition to the busy Junior Scholars’ programme and the Junior Project Prize, there is always something to stretch you. Whether it’s a talk by a world-leading academic, delving into the Radley College archives to explore our historic military links, or debating issues of the day with girls from Downe House, there is a genuinely vibrant academic culture at Radley. At the time of writing, I’ve only been here a year, but I am so excited for the future and hope the fantastic opportunities keep coming! THOM A S JOI NE D R ADLE Y A S A SHELL F R OM S T GE OR GE ’S SC HOOL, LUXEM B OUR G
04
Scholarship Papers from previous years
ART SCHOLARSHIPS Our Art Scholarship recognises talented artists who demonstrate outstanding ability and commitment. The assessment, which takes place in January of Year 8, includes practical tests and interviews, where candidates will be expected to discuss their portfolio of work in a range of media. This should include pieces created at school and in their own time. In their interview with a member of the Art Department, boys will be expected to show a genuine passion for the subject and have a wide pool of artistic interests. Award holders will be expected to take Art at GCSE and it is hoped they will continue the subject to A-Level.
I discovered my love for art at prep school. I enjoyed working in various mediums and trying out new techniques, but my real passion is observational drawing. I was attracted to Radley for many reasons, but the wide range of artistic opportunities on offer was a real clincher. In addition to the facilities, the teachers have been very supportive and have invited me to masterclasses with leading artists. These inspirational sessions have allowed me to explore new ideas, some of which I have incorporated into my own work. As an aspiring artist and designer, I know that Radley will support me every step of the way and my scholarship gives me the confidence that anything is possible. B OA Z JOI NE D R ADLE Y A S A SHELL F R OM S T H U GH ’S , CARSW ELL
06
DRAMA SCHOLARSHIPS Our Drama Scholarship celebrates boys with a deep commitment to, and aptitude for, acting and performance. Drama awards are made as a result of practical assessments and interviews held at Radley in the January of Year 8. Candidates will be expected to choose and prepare a monologue lasting from 60 to 90 seconds. In addition, boys will take part in a workshop consisting of improvisation, drama games and sight reading. They will also have an interview with the Director of Drama. We are happy to view showreels, portfolios and recordings on the day, but these should not be sent in advance. Award holders will be expected to take Drama at GCSE and it is hoped they will continue the subject to A-Level. They will likely play a significant role in the theatrical life of the College, both as part of whole school productions and inter-Social competitions.
08
My love of drama developed at prep school, where I did LAMDA and had singing lessons. A teacher encouraged me to apply for the scholarship at Radley and I’m so glad that I did. Performing at The Globe as part of the ESU Shakespeare Competition was an amazing experience. More recently I secured a role in the College Musical which was comfortably the best play I’ve ever been in. Theatre at Radley is genuinely outstanding and I know the dons will support me as I develop my craft in the coming years. TOM JOI NE D R ADLE Y A S A SHELL FR OM E LS T RE E SC HOOL, BER K SHIR E
INNOVATION SCHOLARSHIPS Our Innovation Scholarship rewards boys with big ideas and a determination to realise them. Successful candidates will have an entrepreneurial mindset and technical ability in design engineering, robotics, coding, computer science, video production or game design. The assessment process, which takes place in November of Year 8, is unique and aims to uncover outside-the-box thinkers with outstanding communication and problem-solving skills. In early November candidates will be required to submit a portfolio of independent work which demonstrates their knowledge of and interest in the subject areas. This is followed by an assessment day involving group challenges designed to test ideation and technical ability across a range of disciplines, a written assessment where boys will respond to a brief, and an interview presentation where candidates will be quizzed about their response.
10
Employers are increasingly seeking candidates who are creative, strategic, work collaboratively and can use an interdisciplinary skill set to solve difficult problems. The Innovation Scholarship is our commitment to rewarding outside-the-box thinkers with an entrepreneurial spark who will be the catalysts for a greater sense of ingenuity across the College. I cannot wait to meet the candidates and to see how they think. AL A S TAI R VAAN , HEAD OF COM PUT ER SC IENCE
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS Music Scholarships are awarded to boys who will make a significant contribution to Radley’s musical life and thrive as part of our vibrant Music Department. Potential, a genuine love of music and excitement about the opportunities available at Radley are the most important criteria for an award. As a guide, most successful award-holders are at least ABRSM Grade 6 on their principal instrument, and often significantly higher; however, musically communicative, compelling playing at a lower level and clear potential for musical growth can also lead to an award. Award holders will be expected to take Music at GCSE, perform regularly and play a full part in our orchestras, bands and ensembles. Boys will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces on their main instrument, a piece on their secondary instrument(s) and/or to sing. In addition, boys will be given a short piece to study for 20 minutes prior to performance and will be interviewed by the Director of Music. Applicants are also encouraged to bring along any examples of composition work and/or to discuss their wider musical interests. We encourage prospective scholars to arrange an informal preaudition one or two years before entry for the Director of Music and/ or Head of Performance to give guidance and advice regarding the application and to talk about music at Radley. Music Scholars are awarded free instrumental and singing lessons. Music Exhibitioners are given free instrumental tuition in the two instruments played at their audition along with singing lessons, if appropriate. The Bastyan Organ Scholarship is available for Sixth Form candidates who play the organ or piano to a high level. The scholarship is worth 50% of the boarding fees and this can be means-tested up to 100% of the fees where necessary. A separate audition is required.
12
I have always had a great love of music. Before I came to Radley, I was a member of the National Youth Guitar Ensemble, made the finals of the Berkshire Maestros String Competition and attended the Oxford Strings Chamber Music Course. As a guitarist and violinist, I enjoy playing a wide range of styles which is part of why the Music Scholarship has been so significant for me. I have performed with all the main ensembles and enjoyed masterclasses with leading classical, folk and jazz musicians, all of which have helped me grow and mature as a musician. I encourage any young musician to consider applying. Radley has one of the best Music departments, and it’s undoubtedly the most supportive! I’m excited to experience more inspiring opportunities throughout my time here. Z U BY N JOI NED R ADLE Y A S A SHELL FR OM T H E OR ATORY PR EP SC HOOL, R EADING
SPORT SCHOLARSHIPS Our Sport Scholarships celebrate exceptional sporting ability and a desire to make a significant contribution to the College’s sporting life. We expect candidates to be outstanding in at least two of our focus sports: rugby, hockey, cricket, rowing or tennis. Exhibitions can be awarded if a candidate is outstanding in one major sport or a number of our minor sports, including athletics, real tennis, rackets, squash and golf. The scholarship assessment day, which takes place in the October of Year 8, will involve a series of practical tests, including general fitness assessments and coachled sessions in the sports a candidate is offering. We will assess a maximum of three. Whilst we are happy to hear about boys’ football ability, we do not assess football for scholarship. We are always keen to see prospective candidates in action, either at their current school or a local club, which will enable the Director of Sport to advise on the suitability of a candidate for assessment.
14
Since I started playing rugby in Singapore, I have dreamt of becoming a professional. When I moved to the UK for my secondary education, I was fortunate to receive a Sports Scholarship from Radley, which has enabled me to take my performance to the next level. In addition to outstanding coaching, I have developed my overall fitness through regular strength and conditioning sessions and I have started to understand the role of nutrition in athletic development. I was delighted to be selected for the Developing Player Programme with Gloucester Rugby, which has further whetted my appetite for a professional career. Whatever your sport, I wholeheartedly recommend Radley as a place to further your sporting and academic ambitions. M A X JOI NE D R ADLE Y A S A SHELL FR OM M E R CHISTON C A ST LE SC HOOL, EDINBUR GH
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