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, Drama and Performing Arts. 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 be able to demonstrate their commitment to their chosen area of expertise and be fully involved and included in the life of the school.
All awards may be varied at the absolute discretion of the Headmaster.
Assessment Day
Once registered to attend, your son or daughter will be invited to Westbrook Hay for an assessment day in January 2026. All assessments will take account of a pupil’s ability, potential, attitude and work ethos.
Preparation for the future
We pride ourselves on fully preparing children for their futures. Senior scholars will be supported through their time at Westbrook Hay, as they prepare for the next stage of their education.
Academic
What are we looking for?
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.
Successful candidates will show an outstanding commitment to their learning.
Assessment
Academic scholarships will be awarded on the basis of a series of assessments undertaken during the scholarship day in January 2026. These include:
• Written assessments in English (comprehension and creative writing) and maths.
• Interview with members of our Senior Leadership Team.
Expectations
Academic scholars will be exemplary pupils who are intrinsically motivated and who show commitment to their studies through their attitude in and out of the classroom.
Academic scholars will lead by example in lessons, demonstrating both good academic progress and a strong commitment to the wider intellectual life at Westbrook Hay.
Academic scholars are expected to:
• Represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
• Take part in all aspects of our Exceptional Performers Programme including peer mentoring and regular meetings.
• Engage in extra curricular activities such as Academic House Events and external competitions such as The Townsend Warner History Prize.
Benefits
• Scholars are allocated a staff member who offers support in their development and achieving their personal goals. They can then, in turn, become an academic mentor to a younger pupil to cultivate their own leadership skills.
• Academic book allowance.
Music
What are we looking for?
Candidates who are working towards Grade 4 in one instrument. It will be advantageous to be having lessons on a second instrument or voice.
Candidates who are wanting and able to sing solo and in small groups, who will also commit to attending choir rehearsals.
Evidence that they have already been involved in weekly musical group activities such as orchestra or wind band will also be an advantage. Commitment to developing their skills of performing in public at school and elsewhere.
Assessment
Successful interview with the Head of Music and a Senior Leader.
Perform a Grade 4 level piece on the first instrument, sing a Grade 2 level song or play a Grade 2 level piece on the second study.
Grade 2 aural exercises with the Head of Music talking about present involvement in musicmaking, inside and outside school, and their musical interests.
Expectations
Successful candidates will be expected to choose a music-based club and to be committed to one of the choirs and the orchestra or Jazz Band.
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 and inspiring younger players.
They will also be expected to be enthusiastic and committed to any outof-school performances or competitions the music department might take part in.
Music scholars will be expected to represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Benefits
• Scholarships will include a percentage off private lessons in one instrument.
• Scholarship mentoring sessions with the Head of Music.
• Extra rehearsal sessions for performances and next school scholarship auditions.
• Priority selection for public performances where possible.
• Support for scholarship applications to sixth form settings.
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, skills and knowledge. No more than 10 pieces should be included. The Head of Art will review portfolios.
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 the 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 and contribute to the making of sets and props.
Termly meetings with the Head of Art where the scholars will be expected to assess their own contributions and set targets for themselves.
Art scholars will be expected to represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Benefits
• Scholarships to include extra support/tuition from the Head of Art.
• Support for scholarship applications to sixth form settings.
Sport
What are we looking for?
Candidates applying for a sports scholarship are expected to demonstrate a high level of sporting ability, dedication and an enthusiasm for sporting life in school. Scholarships are awarded to pupils who have shown sporting excellence.
Successful candidates should be high level players in at least one, preferably two of our core sports of football, netball, rugby and cricket. Pupils may also excel in another sport. Those excelling in a non-core sport might be considered for a Sports Exhibition. At this young age, potential and individual skill level will also be considered.
Assessment
Candidates for the sports scholarship will be expected to participate in a variety of tasks on the day of their assessment which can be compared against the results of past scholars and pupils. This will include skills assessments and observations in small sided games as well as an interview with the Head of Boys’ Sport or Head of Girls’ Sport.
Expectations
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.
• Represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Benefits
• 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 and time management.
Drama
What are we looking for?
• Candidates will be expected to have excellent performance skills and show exceptional potential as well as genuine excitement for the subject
• Talented individuals for whom drama is an ‘eat, sleep and breathe’ mentality.
• Evidence of a commitment to a broader Drama experience including Youth Theatre, local/regional/ national performances or competitions either individually or as part of a company.
• Grade 4 (and above) in LAMDA, Trinity, LCM, New Era or equivalent in solo acting.
Assessment
• Audition with the Head of Drama.
• Candidates should prepare two contrasting acting pieces of around
two minutes each. Ideally one should be Shakespeare or other classical era.
• Candidates are free to choose their own pieces, but an anthology of suitable pieces can be supplied if requested. A full Shakespeare is required for 13+.
• Candidates should be prepared to workshop either of the pieces with the Head of Drama.
• Interview with the Head of Drama and a Senior Leader.
• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their chosen pieces and be able to put them into their context.
• Candidates should be able to demonstrate their engagement with the subject both inside and outside of the classroom. A portfolio of evidence with pictures and programmes from productions the candidate has performed in is an optional tool for this.
Expectations
• Maintain a high level of commitment to the drama scholars programme.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities within drama activities, events and performances whilst serving as ambassadors for the drama department.
• Support and mentor younger pupils through the drama pathway.
• Show enthusiasm, dedication, and a positive attitude towards rehearsals, showcases, and any out of school performances or competitions the drama department takes part in.
• Be fully committed to all drama productions.
• Follow the drama pathway at GCSE.
• Represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Benefits
• Scholarships include a percentage off LAMDA lessons.
• Extra opportunities to perform.
• Weekly drama scholars programme where students study contemporary, new writing and classical text and practitioners.
• Audition technique for drama workshops.
• Support for scholarship applications to sixth form settings.
• Mentoring from the Head of Drama.
Performing Arts
What are we looking for?
• Candidates will be expected to have excellent performance skills and show exceptional potential as well as genuine excitement for the subject.
• Talented individuals for whom the whole theatre of Performing Arts is an ‘eat, sleep and breathe’ mentality.
• Evidence of a commitment to a broader Performing Arts experience including Youth Theatre, dance schools, local/regional/national performances or competitions either individually or as part of a company.
• Grade 4 (and above) in LAMDA, Trinity, LCM, New Era or equivalent in solo acting and/or Grade 4 (and above) in RAD/Rambert/ISTD or equivalent in Modern, Ballet, Tap or other agreed genre.
Assessment
• Audition with the Head of Dance and Drama
• Candidates should prepare from the list of the following options;
◦ One monologue of around two minutes – contemporary or classical – whichever best showcases the candidate’s performance. Candidates should prepare a solo dance lasting between one and one and a half minutes in a genre of their choice.
◦ One monologue of around two minutes – either contemporary or classical–whichever best showcases the candidate’s performance. Candidates should also prepare a song with a backing track in a genre of their choice that highlights their performance abilities.
◦ One monologue of around one minute, one solo dance of around one minute and one song with backing track of around one minute.
• Candidates are free to choose their own drama pieces, but an anthology of suitable drama pieces is supplied to applicants should they wish to choose from this.
• Candidates should be prepared to workshop their drama pieces or create a short dance improvisation.
• Interview with the Head of Dance and Drama and a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their chosen pieces and be able to put them into their context.
• Candidates should be able to demonstrate their engagement with the subject both inside and outside the classroom. A portfolio of evidence with pictures and programmes from productions the candidate has performed in is an optional tool for this.
Expectations
• Maintain a high level of commitment to performing arts based clubs and be a dedicated member of both the dance team and drama scholars programme.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities within performing arts activities, events and performances whilst serving as ambassadors for the performing arts within the school.
• Support and mentor younger pupils coming through the performing arts pathway.
• Show enthusiasm, dedication, and a positive attitude towards rehearsals, showcases, and any out of school performances or competitions the performing arts department takes part in.
• Represent the school in a variety of performing arts contexts.
• Follow on of the performing arts pathways at GCSE.
• Represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Benefits
• Scholarships include a percentage off LAMDA lessons.
• Extra opportunities to perform.
• Weekly drama scholars programme where students study contemporary, new writing and classical text and practitioners.
• Audition technique for dance and drama workshops.
• Support for scholarship applications to sixth form settings.
• Mentoring from the Head of Dance and Drama.
Our Ethos Our Mission
“We are a welcoming, all-inclusive, family community that provides the best for, and expects the best from, us all.”
“To develop happy, confident and successful children who are well prepared for their future.”
Contact: Mark Brain, Headmaster, Westbrook Hay School, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 2RF
