Introduction One of our aims is to give as many pupils as possible the opportunity to take advantage of the excellent education that St Hugh’s offers. This includes our Year 7 and 8 Scholarship Programme for pupils with outstanding ability in particular areas of the curriculum, in order to develop their skills and talents in preparation for the transition to senior schools. Pupils can apply for scholarships in the following areas: ● Academic ● Art and/or Design Technology ● Drama ● Music ● Sport In addition, pupils may be identified before Year 7 as having scholarship potential and join the St Hugh’s Scholarship Pathway to nurture and develop their talents and interests.
Scholarship Award Conditions ● Children should only be entered for the scholarship award they feel able to excel in. Parents are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant curriculum leader ahead of the application process. ● An award of a scholarship will be honorary and will not attract a financial discount; a means-tested bursary process is available if required. ● Feedback is provided to all candidates, and their parents, following the assessment process. ● Children awarded a scholarship are expected to stay at St Hugh’s until the end of Year 8. ● The school reserves the right not to award scholarships on an annual basis. ● Scholarships may also be awarded to pupils joining St Hugh’s at the start of Year 7, and the assessment process for this will be discussed with new pupils on an individual basis.
The St Hugh’s Scholarship Pathway Year 3+
STAR
- Academic ‘STARS’ identified through CAT4 in September - Exceeding age-related expectations in curriculum area - Effort grades/disposition rewards in curriculum area reflect consistent commitment
Year 6+
AMBASSADOR
As above + Commitment shown through hobbies or extra-curricular activities in school + Emerging as role model; demonstrating leadership + Embodiment of a St Hugh’s ‘Resilient Learner’
Year 7+
EXHIBITION AWARD
As above + Formal assessment/interview on St Hugh’s Scholarship Assessment Day + Depending on curriculum area, may be involved in out-of-school clubs/activities + Interest and commitment shown to exploring senior school scholarship opportunities + Consistently outstanding effort grades and evidence of dispositions
Year 7+
SCHOLARSHIP
As above + Academic - consistently high performance in national testing and internal assessments; commitment to progress and learning beyond the classroom + Sport - club/county/regional pathway involvement + Music - potential to be at or working towards Grade 5 / Grade 5 theory towards the end of Year 8 + NB. For Drama, Art and DT, there is no specific “level” to be attained but potential scholars should have shown consistent commitment, passion and progress in their chosen area + Exceptional attitude to learning and behaviour
Where pupils are identified as STARS by teaching staff, this may initiate an early discussion with parents and other teachers about how we can best nurture and encourage the emerging talents of the child as they progress through the Middle School. AMBASSADORS, awarded at the end of Year 5 and determined by the relevant subject leaders, not only display strong ability in the curriculum area, but also embody our Learning Dispositions at the highest level, and may be characterised as resilient learners:
Challenge
I want to challenge myself.
Persevere
I believe in myself. I know that I can overcome obstacles in my learning.
Team Player
I can take on any role in a team. I give others a chance to shine.
Reflective
I can think about my journey so far, and look forward to building up my learning in the future.
Curious
I try to take my learning further, both in and beyond the classroom.
Creative
I can come up with creative ways to solve problems.
Independent
I can decide on the best way for me to complete tasks.
Pupils who go through the scholarship application and assessment process, but who are not quite performing at scholarship level, may be awarded an EXHIBITION to recognise their potential and commitment. This may convert to a full scholarship in Year 8 depending on the progress made over Year 7.
St Hugh’s Award Children entering Year 7 who have a genuine interest and ability in two or more areas may be considered for a St Hugh’s Award. Pupils rewarded with a St Hugh’s Award will encapsulate our learning dispositions, and demonstrate high academic standards along with significant commitment to the wider life of the school. The St Hugh’s Award is not applied for; rather it will be awarded following the scholarship process at the discretion of the Head.
Our commitment to those on our scholarship pathway ● Hobby sessions specifically aimed at those on the pathway, such as Grade 5 Music Theory or Additional Art. ● Opportunities to run or support the running of particular hobbies, such as Junior Drama. ● Opportunities to mentor or lead younger pupils on the pathway. ● Additional trips, visits or workshops relevant to the curriculum area. ● Opportunities to compete in local, regional or national competitions. ● Individual guidance from relevant staff, including support with applications for scholarships and awards to senior schools.
The Application Process The scholarship application process consists of three steps: 1. Parents and pupils complete a Scholarship Application Form (on the final pages of this document). Application deadlines vary and are listed below. 2. Pupils undertake assessments in their relevant curriculum area. These will take place on the following dates: Scholarship
Application deadline Assessment Day
Academic
Friday 11th December 2026
Thursday 21st January 2026
Art and/or Design Technology
Friday 22nd January 2026
Drama
Friday 22nd January 2026
Music
Friday 22nd January 2026
Sport
Friday 8th January 2026
3. All candidates will be informed of the outcome, and receive written feedback from the relevant Head of Department, by Friday 12th February 2026.
Please email all applications to fbonner-mackenzie@st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk.
The Assessment Process All candidates submitting a scholarship entry form will complete testing at the school. Academic
Pupils’ national data (including CAT4, NGRT, NGST and progress tests in Maths and Science) will be taken into consideration; on the day, pupils will sit a General Paper which will assess logical thinking and creative problem solving (no revision required!).
Art/Design Technology
Bring in 2-3 pieces of work that you are most proud of to be discussed with the Head of Art; on the day, you will complete a short written analysis of an artwork and a practical assessment, such as drawing from observation.
Drama
Perform one prepared piece of your own choice (e.g. monologue, poem, short excerpt from a script) and one unseen piece provided on the day (you will be given some rehearsal time before performing the unseen piece).
Music
Perform two contrasting pieces that you have prepared; short sight reading and aural assessment.
Sport
Practical assessment across a variety of activities, including a physical fitness assessment.
In addition, all candidates will have a short interview with the relevant Head of Department, and an interview with Mr Wyld (see p.6 of this document for a list of likely interview questions).
Get in touch If you have any questions, please contact Mr Wyld on headmaster@st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk or the relevant Head of Department as below: Academic/Drama/General Enquiries
Mrs F Bonner-MacKenzie fbonner-mackenzie@st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk
Art and DT
Mrs A Foote afoote@st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk
Music
Mr M Ferguson mferguson@st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk
Sport
Mrs K Felton kfelton@st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk
St Hugh’s Scholarship Pathway - Head’s interview
Why do you want to be a ____ scholar? What does being a scholar at St Hugh’s mean to you?
What achievement [in your chosen curriculum area] are you most proud of?
Which of the learning dispositions means the most to you, or do you think you show the most in school?
Which learning disposition do you think you need to develop most, and how could you do this?
Can you give an example of a time where you have been a good role model in your chosen subject area(s)?
Can you think of a setback or challenge that you have overcome in your chosen subject area(s)?
What aspect of your chosen subject area are you most passionate about developing as you go through Years 7 and 8?
Do you have any ideas of how we as a school could help you develop as a scholar?
Do you have any questions for me?
YEAR 7 ENTRY SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS (For candidates entering Year 7 September 2026) ENTRY FORM I wish to enter my son/daughter for the Scholarship Assessment Day for (please enter scholarships applied for): …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
CHILD’S SURNAME:……………………………………….………………………………………… CHILD’S FIRST NAMES:……………………..…………………………………………….…………… CHILD’S DATE OF BIRTH: …………………………..…………
SIGNED:…………………………………………..……… (Parent/Guardian) DATE:…………………………
HOME ADDRESS: ………………………………………………………….…………………..…
………………………………………………………….……………………… ……………………………………………………….…………………………
TEL. NO: (HOME) …………………………………..…..….…… (MOBILE) …………………………………..…..….…….
SECTION A: TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PARENT Please list your child’s achievements in their chosen area up to the present For Academic, please state particular academic interests and talents, and any relevant trips/visits/activities, both in and out of school. For Art, Design Technology and Drama, interest and aptitude in the subject, including any relevant trips/visits/activities, both in and out of school. For Music, instruments and current grades, including singing, any groups/ensembles played in, both in and out of school. For Sport, teams represented in school, and any sport played outside of school (including level, age groups represented, etc.). ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
SECTION B: TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PUPIL Explain on no more than one side of A4 why you would like to be considered for a St Hugh’s Scholarship Award. You could write about: - the achievements you are most proud of - the ways in which you think you are a good role model in your curriculum area - the ways in which you hope to make further progress in Year 7 and Year 8 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO FBONNER-MACKENZIE@ST-HUGHS.LINCS.SCH.UK BY THE RELEVANT DEADLINE AS LISTED ON P.4