SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
At St Swithun’s, through our scholarships, we formally recognise achievement and attitude in the following areas: the academic life of the school, music, drama, art and sport In addition, a maths scholarship is available both at year 9 (13+) and in year 12 (sixth-form)
With effect from September 2026, St Swithun’s Council (the governing body) have decided that new scholarship awards should not attract any fee remission If prospective students are unable to afford our fees, they are encouraged to apply for a bursary of up to 100% of fees
Being a scholar is an honour and a privilege, and thus scholarships at St Swithun’s are highly prized and competitive Accordingly, a scholarship comes with both opportunities and responsibilities As the number of scholarships is limited and the appetite for scholarship is high, we believe in making enriching and challenging opportunities available to all our students
Nevertheless, we recognise that our scholars show particular and consistent commitment and aptitude in their areas of expertise, and we therefore allocate them a school mentor and offer them plenty of opportunities for development We expect our scholars to serve as role models and for their approach to reflect the principles of High Performance Learning
Once a scholarship has been awarded it is retained to the end of the upper sixth, subject to annual review
All scholarships at year 9 (13+) and year 12 (sixth form) are available to both internal and external candidates.
SPORT
At St Swithun’s, we believe in making enriching and challenging opportunities available to all our students In addition, we recognise that our scholars show particular and consistent commitment and aptitude in their areas of expertise Through our scholarships programme, we formally recognise excellence in both achievements and attitudes in order to inspire others and to enrich the whole school community
Being a scholar is an honour and a privilege and thus scholarships at St Swithun’s are highly prized and competitive Once a scholarship has been awarded, it is retained to the end of the upper-sixth year, subject to annual renewal
Accordingly, your award comes with both opportunities and responsibilities
Sport scholars will receive:
Access to specialist sports coaching
Access to lunchtime clubs, sports lectures and visual events
Weekly strength and conditioning sessions
A scholarship mentor who will
Oversee the student’s physical, technical and psychological sporting development
Direct and advise students along their chosen sporting pathway, inside and outside school
Encourage students to take leadership roles within sport
Advise on managing a balance between sporting interests and other commitments both inside and outside school
Advise on keeping healthy and uninjured, or on rehabilitation in the case of injury
Expectations for Sport Scholars:
Be outstanding performers at a high level
Strive consistently for improvement
Commit to representing the school and attending practices regularly
Understand the importance of training, teamwork, the components of fitness and goal-setting
Be ambassadors for St Swithun’s sport
ART
At St Swithun’s, we believe in making enriching and challenging opportunities available to all our students. In addition, we recognise that our scholars show particular and consistent commitment and aptitude in their areas of expertise Through our scholarships programme, we formally recognise excellence in both achievements and attitudes in order to inspire others and to enrich the whole school community
Being a scholar is an honour and a privilege and thus scholarships at St Swithun’s are highly prized and competitive Once a scholarship has been awarded, it is retained to the end of the upper-sixth year, subject to annual renewal
Accordingly, your award comes with both opportunities and responsibilities
Art Scholars at St Swithun's School will benefit from the following:
A scholar’s sketchbook and art kit for creative work and artist research
Access to school art clubs
An art mentor
Participation in a scholars' exhibition to showcase their work
Regular meetings with the head of art each halfterm to discuss opportunities and review their sketchbooks
An additional gallery trip
Opportunities to design posters for school events and publications
Expectations for Art Scholars:
Regular attendance at a weekly art club
Participation in both school and external art competitions
Commitment to studying GCSE and A-Level art
Leading by example, by actively participating in artistic events such as exhibitions, talks, and cultural activities throughout the year
A willingness to assist the art department, including helping curate exhibitions and open events
As Art Ambassadors, scholars are also expected to:
Display intellectual confidence by supporting or delivering school assemblies
Share insights from their wider engagement with art to inspire others
Encourage peers to engage with the subject
Contribute ideas to improve the art department
Guidance for applications
We are looking for portfolios with 7-10 pages/sheets that show:
• A range of work demonstrating a variety of skills and techniques
• Sketchbook pages or sketchbooks
• Observational drawings
• A range of work that has been produced either in and/or outside the classroom
A portfolio may contain the following:
• Observational drawings
• Sculpture
• Illustrations
• Printmaking
• Film/animation
• Photography
• Painting
• Sketchbooks
MUSIC
At St Swithun’s, we believe in making enriching and challenging opportunities available to all our students In addition, we recognise that our scholars show particular and consistent commitment and aptitude in their areas of expertise Through our scholarships programme, we formally recognise excellence in both achievements and attitudes in order to inspire others and to enrich the whole school community
Being a scholar is an honour and a privilege and thus scholarships at St Swithun’s are highly prized and competitive Once a scholarship has been awarded, it is retained to the end of the upper-sixth year, subject to annual renewal
Accordingly, your award comes with both opportunities and responsibilities
As a music scholars and exhibitioner at St Swithun's School you will receive:
Free tuition on two instruments (Exhibitioners receive free tuition on one instrument) Please note the maximum length of study will be one hour on the first instrument and 30 minutes on the second instrument, or 45 minutes on each Anything over this duration may be possible to arrange but will not be covered by the scholarship
Access to masterclasses and competitions
Chamber music tuition
Concert trips
A wide range of solo performing opportunities both in and outside of school each term
A scholarship mentor who will
Direct you to opportunities to extend and deepen your musical interests and skills
Encourage you to lead musical activities
Advise you on managing a balance between musical interests and other studies and opportunities
Music scholars and exhibitioners are expected to:
Maintain high standards of musical excellence
Take a full part in ensembles and concerts
Be ambassadors for music throughout the school, showing a positive approach to participation
Study at least one of their instruments with a teacher at St Swithun’s
MATHS
At St Swithun’s, we believe in making enriching and challenging opportunities available to all our students In addition, we recognise that our scholars show particular and consistent commitment and aptitude in their areas of expertise Through our scholarships programme, we formally recognise excellence in both achievements and attitudes in order to inspire others and to enrich the whole school community.
Being a scholar is an honour and a privilege and thus scholarships at St Swithun’s are highly prized and competitive Once a scholarship has been awarded, it is retained to the end of the upper-sixth year, subject to annual renewal
Accordingly, your award comes with both opportunities and responsibilities
As a maths scholar you will receive:
Opportunities to be involved in and to lead to challenging and enriching mathematical activities
Opportunities to take part in mathematical competitions
The opportunity to be part of a network of committed mathematicians at and beyond St Swithun’s
A scholarship mentor who will
Direct you to opportunities to extend and deepen your mathematical interests and skills
Encourage you to lead mathematical activities
Advise you on managing a balance between mathematical interests and other opportunities
Maths scholars are expected to:
Act as role models by willingly being involved in mathematically enriching opportunities such as lectures, clubs, and competitions
Where appropriate, initiate new intellectually stimulating mathematical clubs or activities
Show an intellectually curious approach to mathematics
DRAMA
At St Swithun’s, we believe in making enriching and challenging opportunities available to all our students In addition, we recognise that our scholars show particular and consistent commitment and aptitude in their areas of expertise Through our scholarships programme, we formally recognise excellence in both achievements and attitudes in order to inspire others and to enrich the whole school community.
Being a scholar is an honour and a privilege and thus scholarships at St Swithun’s are highly prized and competitive Once a scholarship has been awarded, it is retained to the end of the upper-sixth year, subject to annual renewal
Accordingly, your award comes with both opportunities and responsibilities
As a drama scholar you will receive:
Opportunities to develop your craft
A scholarship mentor who will
Direct you to opportunities to extend and deepen your dramatic interests and skills
Encourage you to take part in and / or support dramatic performances
Encourage you to lead dramatic activities
Advise you on managing a balance between dramatic interests and other opportunities
Drama scholars are expected to:
Study drama at GCSE or A-level
Take part in at least one production a year, whether on stage, working backstage, or helping to promote the production
Take part in at least one drama club a year, whether as a participant or organising and leading it
Willingly and collaboratively take part in the inter-house drama competition
Keep up to date with theatrical trends and developments through independently attending performances and / or reading plays
Promote the work of the drama department
ACADEMIC
At St Swithun’s, we believe in making enriching and challenging opportunities available to all our students In addition, we recognise that our scholars show particular and consistent commitment and aptitude in their areas of expertise Through our scholarships programme, we formally recognise excellence in both achievements and attitudes in order to inspire others and to enrich the whole school community.
Being a scholar is an honour and a privilege and thus scholarships at St Swithun’s are highly prized and competitive Once a scholarship has been awarded it is retained to the end of the upper-sixth year, subject to annual renewal
Accordingly, your award comes with both opportunities and responsibilities
As an academic scholar you will receive:
Opportunities to be involved in and to lead intellectually enriching activities
Opportunities to present to peers and adults about their academic interests
A scholarship mentor who will
Direct you to opportunities that extend and deepen your academic interests and skills
Encourage you to take part in academic competitions
Encourage you to lead academic activities
Advise you on managing a balance between academic interests and other opportunities
Academic scholars are expected to:
Act as role models by willingly being involved in academically enriching opportunities such as lectures, clubs and competitions
Where appropriate, initiate new intellectually stimulating clubs and activities
Show an intellectually curious approach to all areas of a curriculum
Application Deadlines
Sport, Drama and Art
Friday 10 October 2025: deadline for scholarship applications to be with the relevant departments
Week commencing 3 November 2025 – year 12 scholarship assessments to be organised by each department
Week commencing 10 November 2025 – year 9 scholarship assessments to be organised by each department
Music
Applications deadlines:
Year 7: 3 October (overseas), 21 November 2025
Year 9: 21 November 2025
Year 12: 14 November 2025
Audition dates:
Year 7: 12 November 2025 (overseas - online), 8 and 9 January 2026
Year 9: 22 and 23 January 2026
Year 12: 14 November 2025
Stay up to date with the vast number of events and activities around the school, by visiting our news page on the school website or by following us on our social media accounts.