Year 7 Scholarships INFORMATION PACK
Scholarships
Contents Overview Page 1
Academic Page 3
Music Page 5
Art Page 7
Sport Page 9
Drama Page 11
Scholarships – Overview
Overview We offer a range of scholarships to children who we believe would benefit from the curriculum and wider opportunities at Westbrook Hay, and who will contribute to the school’s success. Scholarships are available in the following categories: Academic, Sport, Art, Music and Drama. A Headmaster’s All-Rounder Award is also available, should a child demonstrate particular talent or potential in a range of areas. The total number of scholarships available is limited and the process of gaining a scholarship is competitive. Scholarships attract a fee remission of between 10% 25%. Scholarships are open to internal and external candidates.
The school reserves the right to vary the number and terms of scholarship awards according to the number and strength of applications. Exhibition awards may be offered with a lower financial remission. More than one scholarship may be applied for, but if multiple scholarships are awarded, the maximum financial discount given is the value of the greatest scholarship awarded and not the sum of all the scholarships. Internal candidates should have been identified, included in and involved fully in Westbrook Hay’s Able and Talented programme in advance of Year 6. All awards may be varied at the absolute discretion of the Headmaster. 1
Scholarships – Overview
Assessment Day Once registered to attend, your son or daughter will be invited to Westbrook Hay for an assessment day. All assessments will take account of a pupil’s ability, potential, attitude and work ethos.
Preparation for senior school entry We pride ourselves on fully preparing parents and children to make the best choices for Year 9 entry, and many of our past pupils have gone on to secure scholarships at their future schools. Year 7 scholars will be supported throughout Year 7 and 8 as they prepare for 13+ scholarships into independent senior schools.
2
Scholarships – Academic
Academic What are we looking for?
Assessment
Academic scholars will be those attaining at the highest level of their cohort. It is likely that these children will be performing far above age related expectations in a number of subjects.
Academic scholarships will be awarded on the basis of a series of assessments, undertaken in the Autumn Term of Year 6. These include:
Successful candidates will show an outstanding commitment to their learning. It is likely that academic scholars will be looking to apply for academic scholarships to their senior schools.
•
Placement test (90 mins online literacy quantitative reasoning and non-verbal reasoning)
• • •
Critical thinking task Creative writing assessment Interview with a leader such as the Headmaster, Head of Years 7 & 8 or Assistant Head Academic.
3
Scholarships – Academic
Expectations
Benefits
Academic scholars will lead by example in lessons. Their natural intellectual curiosity, tenacity when problem solving and thirst for knowledge will show through both in their academic work and also in their work outside of the classroom which they freely choose to undertake.
•
Scholarship sessions with Head of Subjects
•
Opportunities for trips and visits as part of the Able and Talented Programme
• • •
Westbrook Hay lecture series
Academic scholars will be exemplary students who show commitment to their studies through their attitude in and out of the classrooms. Academic scholars will be a part of the Able and Talented Programme and be an example to others both within that programme and in the wider school community.
4
Academic book allowance Independent project and presentation.
Scholarships – Music
Music What are we looking for?
Assessment
Candidates who have passed Grade 5 in one instrument. They will also need to have achieved Grade 2 with a second instrument or voice.
Successful interview with Head of Music and a senior leader.
Candidates who are wanting and able to sing in the chamber choir, who will also commit to attending rehearsals.
Perform a Grade 5 piece on the first instrument, sing a Grade 2 song or play a Grade 2 piece on a second study. Take a Grade 2 aural test. Talk about present involvement in music-making.
Evidence that they have already been involved in weekly musical group activities such as orchestra will also be an advantage.
5
Scholarships – Music
Expectations Successful candidates will be expected to choose music-based clubs and to be committed to the chamber choir and the orchestra. They will be expected to see their role as not merely engaging in these clubs, but as being part of the leadership which also implies behaving responsibly. They will also be expected to be enthusiastic and committed to any out-of-school performances or competitions the music department might take part in.
6
Benefits
•
Scholarships will include a percentage off private lessons in one instrument.
•
Being invited to be leader of the orchestra (unless their first study instrument is piano)
•
Scholarship mentoring sessions with the Head of Music
•
The school will pay for entry to some outside music competitions
•
Extra rehearsal sessions for performances and next school scholarship auditions.
Scholarships – Art
Art What are we looking for? Pupils who demonstrate outstanding ability in art, particularly through creativity, imagination, manipulative skills, strong powers of observation and evidence of some specialist language. Candidates wishing to be considered will need to attend an assessment session. Candidates will be given a practical task and present a portfolio of work that shows an interest in art inside and outside of the classroom.
There will be three parts to the assessment: 1. A drawing test:
The candidates will be invited to spend time drawing from direct observation. A range of materials and items will be made available and it is expected that candidates will be able to demonstrate how they record what they see. 2. The portfolio:
There will be no preconceived ideas about what a portfolio might contain. It would be natural to expect to see work that has been produced at school but we will be especially interested in other items, whether drawings, photographs, computer art, craft items made at home, or self-motivated art. The portfolio should contain items that show the candidate’s range and depth of interests, 7
Scholarships – Art
skills and knowledge. No more than 20 pieces should be included. The Head of Art will review portfolios without the candidates initially, before inviting them for an informal interview.
Benefits
•
Scholarships to include extra support/tuition from the Head of Art
•
Aiming to achieve 13+ scholarship into senior school
•
Termly meetings with the Head of Art where the scholars will be expected to assess their own contributions and set targets for themselves
•
Contribute work to a scholars’ board.
3. An informal interview:
Candidates will be invited individually for a short, informal interview with the Head of Art. They will be asked to select one piece from their portfolio and explain the ideas and motivation behind it. Candidates will be expected to be able to discuss their work with enthusiasm and make connections with artists’ work that they have studied.
Expectations We will expect art scholars to make a significant extracurricular commitment to their work. Set an example to the rest of the pupils through exemplary behaviour and attitude towards learning. Contribute to the making of sets and props. 8
Scholarships – Sport
Sport What are we looking for?
Assessment
Candidates applying for a sports scholarship are expected to demonstrate a high level of sporting ability, enthusiasm and dedication, and an enthusiasm for sporting life in school. Scholarships are awarded to pupils who have shown sporting excellence.
Candidates for the sports scholarship will be expected to participate in a variety of the tasks on the day of their assessment which can be compared against the results of past scholars and pupils:
•
Endurance run, agility test and a timed sprint
Successful candidates should be high level players in at least one, preferably two of the core sports played by our school but may also excel in another sport. At this young age, potential and individual skill level will also be considered.
•
Football – Observation in small sided game
•
Netball – Observation in small sided game
• • •
Swimming – Stroke analysis
•
Cricket – Skills assessment Rugby – Observation in small sided game Interview with Head of Sport.
9
Scholarships – Sport
Expectations
Benefits
Please see below the prerequisites and the other key qualities which are essential for sports scholars.
•
A whole-hearted commitment to the sports programme and full availability for fixtures. To demonstrate an excellent attitude, ambition and work ethic towards sport. Have high standards in regard to on field conduct, fair play, kit, organisation and communication. The ability to display leadership qualities within the sports environment.
10
Our scholars will be part of a programme which offers support in the form of a mentor from the sports department. Review meetings will take place with the mentor and pupil with advice offered on goal setting, reflection, nutrition and time management.
Scholarships – Drama
Drama What are we looking for?
Expectations
We are looking for talented individuals for whom drama is an ‘eat, sleep and breathe’ mentality.
A full commitment to the drama department and all productions.
Assessment
•
An expected standard will be Grade 4 (and above) in LAMDA or equivalent in solo acting.
Scholarships to include a percentage off LAMDA lessons
•
Extra opportunities to read in public (i.e. carol concerts etc).
The applicants should perform 2 different pieces as part of the application and shown that they have taken part in drama festivals.
Benefits
This will be supported by a personal statement that displays their passion and might include references to productions seen, characters enjoyed playing and future aspirations. This will also be followed by a successful interview with Head of Drama and a senior leader. 11
Scholarships – Drama
Our Ethos “We are a welcoming, all-inclusive, family community that provides the best for, and expects the best from, us all.”
Our Mission “To develop happy, confident and successful children who are well prepared for their future.”
Contact: Mark Brain, Headmaster, Westbrook Hay Prep School, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 2RF Tel: 01442 256143 westbrookhay@westbrookhay.co.uk www.westbrookhay.co.uk