Scholarships
Introduction
ASibfordSchoolscholarship
isnotjustaboutcelebratingexcellence,it’sabout developingandsharingit.
Our scholarship students are given the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activitiesandextrasupportintheirchosenareaoftalent.Theyaresupportedbystaff whoareexpertsintheirfieldandencouragedtochallengethemselvestoachieveatthe veryhighestlevel.
Furthermore,scholarshipstudentsalsoactasambassadorswithintheschool,sharingtheir enthusiasmandencouragingfellowstudentstotakeanactiveinterestintheirsubjectarea.
Scholarswillbeencouragedtotakepartinextra-curricularactivitiesandextendtheir interestbeyondtheschoolday.
TheaimsofthescholarshipprogrammeatSibfordSchoolare:
toencouragestudentswhoareexceptionallygiftedandtalentedtojointheschool. torecogniseoutstandingtalentwithintheschoolatkeytransitionstages. tocontinuetheschool’slongtraditionofprovidingpublicbenefit.
Whatscholarshipsareoffered?
TherearetwocategoriesofscholarshipatSibfordSchool:
Academic:Whereastudentshowsexceptionalacademicabilityandpotential. Talent:Art,Drama,Music,Sport.
All-RounderscholarshipsmaybeawardedattheHead‘sdiscretiontocandidateswhoshow promiseinmorethanonearea,includingacademic.
Scholarship awards are honorary although, for exceptional pupils and, at the Head’s discretion,financialawardsforscholarshipsmaybeoffered.
Whocanapply?
Scholarshipsareavailabletoexistingpupils,andalsonewpupilsenteringSibfordSchool inYear7,Year9andYear12.
All scholarship applicants will be expected to provide a short personal statement (approximately300words)abouttheirworkandinterestsinrelationtothecategoryof scholarshiptowhichtheyhaveapplied.Additionalassessmentcriteriaforeachscholarship categoryisoutlinedinthefollowingpages.
Keydatesfor2026entry
Year7scholarshipapplications
Deadline-1November2025
Assessmentday-21November2025
SixthFormscholarshipapplications
Deadlineline-6February2026
Assessmentday-w/c23rdFebruary2026
Year9scholarshipapplications
Deadline-6February2026
Assessmentday-26/27February2026
Pleasenote: Applicationsforscholarshipswillnotbeconsideredwithoutsupportingevidence. Withtheexceptionofinternationalapplicants,itisessentialforastudenttoattendthe scholarshipinterview/trialinperson.Internationalstudentsapplyingforanacademic scholarshipwillbeinterviewedviaSkypeiftheyareunabletoattendinperson.
Applicationprocess
SeniorSchoolapplicants
ToapplyforaYear7orYear9scholarship,youwillneedtocompletethescholarship formandreturnittotheSibfordSchooladmissionsoffice,alongwithacopyofyour child'smostrecentschoolreport(ifyouareanexternalapplicant)andanyevidence requiredtosupporttheapplication.
Applicationscanbesentbeemailtoadmissions@sibfordschool.co.uk,orbypostto: SibfordSchool,SibfordFerris,Banbury,OX155QL.
Scholarshipapplicationsforpupilsshouldbereceivedby:
Friday1November2025forYear7applicants
Friday6February2026forYear9applicants
Theapplicationwillbereviewed,andanemailwillbesentinvitingsuccessfulcandidates toattendaSeniorSchoolscholarshipday.
SixthFormapplicants
ToapplyforaYear12scholarship,youwillneedtocompletethescholarshipformand returnittotheSibfordSchooladmissionsoffice,alongwithacopyofyourchild'smost recentschoolreport(ifyouareanexternalapplicant)andanyevidencerequiredto supporttheapplication.
Applicationscanbesentbeemailtoadmissions@sibfordschool.co.uk,orbypostto: SibfordSchool,SibfordFerris,Banbury,OX155QL.
Scholarship applications for pupils who have applied to join Sibford Sixth Form in SeptembershouldbereceivedbyFriday6February2026.
Theapplicationwillbereviewed,andanemailwillbesentinvitingsuccessfulcandidates toattendaSixthFormscholarshipdayweekcommencingMonday23 February2026. rd
Pleasenote
Ifsuccessfulonascholarshipday,ascholarshipofferwillbesentwithina fortnight.Unsuccessfulcandidateswillalsobecontactedatthisstage.
AcademicScholarships
Academic scholars at Sibford will demonstrate exceptional academic ability and potential.Theyareexpectedtobeapositiverolemodelforfellowstudentsand maintainexcellentstandardsofacademicprogressandconductatalltimes.
Whatneedstoaccompanyanapplicationforanacademicscholarship?
Inadditiontotheactivitiesonscholarshipmorning,applicationsshouldincludeyourmost recentreport,areferencefromyourcurrentschoolandaportfolioofatleasttwopieces ofworkthatdemonstrateacademicstrengthinarangeofareas.(Forexample,ahistory projectorscienceexperiment).
Howwillapplicantsbeassessedonthescholarshipmorning?
ApplicantswillbeaskedtocompleteaMathsandanEnglishassessment.(Year12 applicantswillbeassessedontwowrittenpapersbasedontheirchosen subjectsforkeystage5.)
ThisisanopportunitytodemonstrategeneralMathsskills(45mins)andcomprehension andwritingskills(45mins).Applicantsneedtobringtheusualclassroomequipment,pen, pencil,rulerandacalculator.
Expectationsofanacademicscholar
Meeting with the most able coordinator once a term, maintaining a high level of academicworkandeffortinarangeofsubjects.
Whatdoesitmeantobeanacademicscholar?
Successfulscholarswillbestudentswhotakeprideintheirwork,maintainshighlevelsof achievementacrossarangeofsubjectsandmakesastronglevelofeffortintheir classworkandprep.
Anacademicscholarwillactasarolemodeltoothersintheirendeavourstocomplete work.
ThestudentwillattendsessionswiththeMoreAbleco-ordinatorandaccessextracurricularopportunitiestodeveloptheirlearning.
model f
Applications are welcome from any of our performance sports, however, other sports will be considered on an individual basis. It is recommended for application (but not limited to) that pupils are either:
Performing at County equivalent or above in one sport. A strong all-rounder across several sports.
What needs to accompany an application for a Sports scholarship?
Anyone applying for a Sports scholarship needs to provide the following with their application:
Two references from teachers and or sports coaches (Internal applicants only need to submit external sport coach references where applicable).
A portfolio of evidence of sporting achievements (this could include video evidence).
How will applicants be assessed?
There will be a fitness/sports assessment with PE staff and an interview with the Director of Sport and Head of Senior School PE. During this interview there will be a review of the submitted sporting portfolio and references. Applicants will need to bring suitable PE kit for the activity being assessed. Specific requirements will be communicated prior to the assessment.h
ExpectationsofaSportsscholar
Representtheschoolandbeambassadorsoftheschool’ssportingvalues.
BeambassadorsfortheschoolandPEdepartmentbyattendingschooleventssuch asopenmornings,informationevenings,celebrationday,andfeederprimary schooleventswhereavailable.
Be approachable, providing support, leadership, guidance, and inspiration to studentsatalllevelsintheschool,therebyfosteringasenseofcommunitywithin theschool.
HaveexcellentattendanceandpunctualitytobothPElessonsandgamesfixtures, demonstratingaresponsibleattitudetolearning.
Bepreparedandpresentableatalltimes,ensuringPEkitandequipmentforevery lesson,club,orfixture.
SupportthePEdepartmentinlessonsbyhelpingwithequipment,demonstrating leadershipinallactivities,andapositiveattitudetowardseverysportoractivity.
AttendSportsscholarshipmeetingsandtwilightsessionsandworkcollaboratively withyoursportsmentor.
WhatdoesitmeantobeaSportsscholar?
Sportsscholarsrepresentthesportingattributes,leadershipqualitiesandcorevalues that are integral to developing both as an individual and within our sporting community.
OurYear7and9SportsScholarsbenefitfrom:
BeallocatedaPEstaffmentorwhotheycheckinwithtermly. Attendhalf-termlytwilightsessions.
BeinvitedtoanannualSportsscholartrip.
BeinvitedtoSibfordsportdevelopmentacademieswhereappropriate(Cricket, Swimming).
Receivesupportwithtrainingprogrammesandstrengthandconditioning.
OurSixthFormSportsScholarsbenefitfrom:
Personalisedstrength&conditioningprogramme
WeeklyScholarsgymsessions
1-to-1specialistsports-specificcoachingsessions
EntryandsupportintoNationalCompetitions
Half-termlymentoring&academicsupport
Specialistnutritionworkshops
BiannualSportsScholartrips
Inspirationalguestspeakers–includingGBOlympians
DramaScholarships
Becoming a drama scholar will enable you to develop your knowledge and understandingoftheperformingartsandinspireyoutoparticipateinallthecreative opportunitiesofferedatSibfordSchool.
WhatneedstoaccompanyanapplicationforaDramascholarship?
AnyoneapplyingforaDramascholarshipneedstoprovideawrittenresponsetothe followingquestion:
‘Thinkofaprofessionalperformanceyouhaveseenanddescribehowoneperformer usedtheirvocalandphysicalskillstoconveytheircharactertotheaudience?’
Applicantsshouldincludethefollowing:
Whatplayitwasandwhereyousawit?(digitalperformancescanbeused) Describewhothecharacterwasandwhattheywerelike. Includeaquoteifyoucanrememberalinethattheysaid.
Howwillapplicantsbeassessed?
Applicantswillbeexpectedtoperforma1-minutedevisedspeechfortheHeadof drama,withoutscript.Thereisnothemeortopic,soapplicantsareencouragedtobe creativeandusetheirimagination.
TherewillalsobeashortinterviewwiththeHeadofDramawhichwillcentrearound currentcommitmenttoDramaandthecontributionthatwouldbemadetotheDrama departmentshouldanawardbereceived.
DramaScholarships
ExpectationsofaDramascholar
Toparticipateinalldramaopportunitiesthatareofferedandtoshowakeenattitude towardthesubjectofDramaandhaveawillingnesstogoaboveandbeyondwhen performing.
WhatdoesitmeantobeaDramascholar?
BecomingaDramascholarwillenableyoutoembracetheartsandtoenhanceyour theatricalknowledgeandunderstanding.Successfulcandidatesmaybeawarded weeklyLAMDAlessonsatschool.
MusicScholarships
CandidatesapplyingforaMusicscholarship(instrumentalorvocalaward)should show musicianship, ability and a genuine enthusiasm for the subject: which is demonstratedinandoutsidetheclassroom.
WhatneedstoaccompanyanapplicationforaMusicscholarship?
AnyoneapplyingforaMusicscholarshipneedstoprovidethefollowingwiththeir application:
Tworeferencesfromateacher/musicprofessional.
Howwillapplicantsbeassessed?
AshortinterviewwiththeHeadofMusicwhichwillcentrearoundcurrentcommitment tomusicandthecontributionthatwouldbemadetotheMusicdepartmentshouldan awardbereceived.
MusicScholarships
Allapplicantswillbeaskedtoperformachosenpieceandcompleteanauraland sightreadingtestwiththeHeadofMusicasfollows:
ForentryinYear7
Candidateswillbeexpectedtohavereachedthestandard(thoughnotnecessarilyto havesattheexamination)ofatleastGrade4intheirfirstinstrument.Theywillbe requiredtoperformtwocontrastingpiecesalongsidegradeappropriateauraland sightreadingtests.(Iftwoinstrumentsareoffered,thenonepieceperinstrument.).
ForentryinYear9
Candidateswillbeexpectedtohavereachedthestandard(thoughnotnecessarilyto havesattheexamination)ofatleastGrade6intheirfirstinstrument.Theywillbe requiredtoperformtwocontrastingpiecesalongsidegradeappropriateauraland sight readingtests.(Iftwoinstrumentsareoffered,thenonepieceperinstrument.).
ForEntryinYear12
Candidateswillbeexpectedtohavereachedthestandard(thoughnotnecessarilyto havesattheexamination)ofatleastGrade7intheirfirstinstrument.Theywillbe requiredtoperformtwocontrastingpiecesalongsidegradeappropriateauraland sightreadingtests.(Iftwoinstrumentsareoffered,thenonepieceperinstrument.)
ExpectationsofaMusicscholar
Musicscholarswillbeambassadorsforthemusicallifeoftheschoolcommunityand beyond.
Musicscholarswillplayaleadingroleinallopportunitiesforperformanceincluding recital events, music meetings and whole school performances. All scholars are expectedtotakeGCSEMusic. Instrumentalistswillbeencouragedtoplaywiththe SibfordCommunityOrchestra.
WhatdoesitmeantobeaMusicscholar?
Musicscholarswillhavetheopportunitytofullydeveloptheirmusicalskills.Theywill havetheopportunityofmusicmakingatmanylevels,leadingmusicalensemblesand attendingextra-curriculareventssuchasconcertsandrecitals.Successfulcandidates maybeawardedweeklyMusiclessonsatschool.
ArtScholarships
Art scholars will be expected to display a keen interestinthesubjectandbeabletoarticulatehow theyhavebeeninspiredbytheworkofestablished artists.
Scholarswillbementoredandencouragedbyour stafftodeveloptheirpassionforartandbegiven opportunitiestodisplayandcuratetheirworkaround theschool.ItshouldbetheirintentiontopursueFine ArtorTextileDesignasanexaminationsubject,and theywillbeexpectedtotakeadvantageofthemany extra-curricular arts activities and spend a significantamountoftimeintheArtDepartment, collaboratingwithandinspiringothers.
WhatneedstoaccompanyanapplicationforanArtscholarship?
Aportfolioofworkthatdemonstratestalentwillneedtobesubmitted.Thereisno restrictionastowherethistalentmightlie,forexamplephotography,digitalmedia, drawing,painting,printmaking,orthree-dimensionaldesign.However,studentsmust takecaretoensurethattheexamplesincludedintheportfolioaretheirown,unaided work.
Howwillapplicantsbeassessed?
Therewillbeatimedobservationaldrawingtasktobecompleted,andalsointerview withtheHeadofArtwhereapplicantswillbeabletodiscusstheportfoliothathasbeen submitted.
ExpectationsofanArtscholar
Art Scholars are expected to take Art or Textiles at GCSE or Art, Textile or PhotographyifjoiningatALevel.ItwouldbeexpectedthatanArtscholarwouldfully immersethemselvesintheArtdepartmentsactivitiestakingpartinkeyArtevents, helpingwithexhibitions,andcelebrationday.
WhatdoesitmeantobeanArtscholar?
BeinganArtscholarmeansstudentswillbeabletogainprioritybookingonHorizon slotsforPotteryandScreen-PrintingclubsTheywilltakepartinthescholarsexhibition thattakesplaceonceayearandbeenteredintoexternalexhibitions.Scholarswillalso beofferedaplaceontheVisualArtsDepartmentTrip.