2022 Scholarships, Awards and Exhibitions Information Booklet
2022 Scholarships, Awards and Exhibitions Information Booklet Westonbirt is proud to offer a range of scholarships supporting the breadth of our education and recognising excellence in these areas. All scholars are expected to maintain high standards within their areas of specialism and all awards are dependent upon continued effort, good work and conduct and are reviewed annually.
Parents are reminded that a scholar demonstrates exceptional talent or skill in a particular area and should only apply if their son or daughter genuinely has a chance to receive such an award.
Scholarships and Exhibitions are open to those entering Years 7 (11+), 9 (13+) and 12 (16+). Applications are welcome from both external and internal candidates. External candidates must register with the school prior to submitting their scholarship form. Our registration form can be completed here: http://www.westonbirt.org/admissions/application-form
We are now accepting applications for 2022 Scholarship Entrance: Sixth Form (16+) Scholarship assessments -Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th November 2021 Closing date for application - Friday 22nd October 2021
Year 7 (11+) Scholarship assessments - Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th January 2022 Closing date for application -Friday 3rd December 2021
Year 9 (13+) Scholarship assessments - Tuesday 25th & Wednesday 26th January 2022 Closing date for application -Friday 3rd December 2021
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Scholarships & Exhibitions Scholarships are worth 10% of the tuition fees only and are available in the areas as described below. Exhibitions are worth 5% of the tuition fees and are awarded if a student shows potential and character but is not quite of a scholarship level; an Exhibition can be upgraded to a full scholarship at a later scholarship point. Please note that 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. Major Academic Scholarships Westonbirt Schools will be offering two major academic scholarships to join us in 2021 in Years 7, 9 and 12, each worth 50% of the tuition fees. These will be awarded to candidates at each of these entry points who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in their academic attainment and who can demonstrate they already apply themselves above and beyond their current age range in an academic area. If awarded, this is the maximum discount on fees given and will replace or include any other discounts which may be applicable. Special 16+ Scholarships - for Local Candidates Westonbirt offers special awards to Sixth Form applicants from local schools, to open up a wide range of opportunities, academic, extra-curricular and social, which makes our Sixth Form such a valuable and enriching experience. All awards are means tested and all candidates must submit a covering letter as part of the application.
Westonbirt Award The Westonbirt Award is a discretionary all-round award given by the Headmistress and endorsed by the relevant Heads of Department to students who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in several scholarship areas. It is a special award beyond the individual scholarship awards. The Award is worth 10% of the Tuition Fees per annum until the end of the GCSE year at Westonbirt or those applying for Year 7 or Year 9 entry and for the two years of Sixth Form for those applying for Year 12 entry. To apply for consideration for this award please tick the relevant box on the scholarship application form, in addition to the scholarships applied for. To be eligible for this award a candidate needs to demonstrate ability in more than one scholarship area.
Bursaries Westonbirt Schools seek to provide financial assistance to families where it is felt that a particular child would benefit from the type of education Westonbirt provides and where there is a proven genuine need. All bursary applications are means-tested for eligibility and assessed by the Finance Director and Head. All bursary applications must include a full statement of the parents’ financial status. Applications can be made at any time but the awarding panel will meet 3 times each year in October, January and April to discuss applicants for entrance in the following September. Applications should be sent to the Director of Admissions. Westonbirt Memorial Trust Current pupils are also eligible to enter for the Westonbirt Memorial Trust Bursaries; these are awarded to a Year 11 pupil who will benefit most from Sixth Form study and who will make a positive contribution to the life of the school. Applications should be made to the Headmistress by the end of November 2021. For further information and a bursary application form, please contact: Mrs Stevenson: patricia.stevenson@westonbirtschool.uk / +44 (0)1666 881 301
Academic Scholarships All academic scholars benefit from a variety of enrichment and extension activities, in addition to being stretched and challenged in lessons. Each department takes part in a range of external challenges and competitions and we expect academic scholars to compete in these. Societies such as the Debating Society and Socratic Society are designed to allow scholars to develop their skills with regards to articulating their ideas and arguing a case. In addition there is an annual trip to the Houses of Parliament. Specific support is given to those pupils intending to apply to Oxbridge, or for other specialist degrees such as Medicine.
Academic Scholarships for Entry into Year 7 (11+) or Year 9 (13+) An academic scholar will be nominated/endorsed by their current school. Any award made is based on a range of assessments including their performance in the CAT4 (online ap tude test), their interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team and a school reference. In addition, candidates also undertake a range of activities and challenges on the day including observational evaluations and team-building exercises.
Academic Scholarship for Entry into the Sixth Form (16+) An academic scholar will be nominated by their current school, or identified by their performance in the entry CAT4 test.
The academic scholarship assessment consists of: 1.
Letter of Application - A written letter of application should be submitted to the school prior to interview.
2.
Interview with the Headmistress
3.
Aptitude Test: As part of the Sixth Form entry assessment, all candidates will take an on-line aptitude test (CAT4) and Academic Scholars are expected to perform within the top band.
4.
Interview with Deputy Head- to assess overarching academic ability.
5.
Faculty Interviews in two of the following:
Science (to cover, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) Maths (Maths, Further Maths, Economics & Business Studies) Languages (to cover Latin, French & Spanish) English (to cover Literature & Language) Humani es (History, Geography, RE, Media Studies & Psychology) 6.
Reference from your current school or, in the case of our own students, an endorsement from your tutor.
Art & Design, Drama, Music, Choral and Sport All candidates will have a short interview with the Headmistress and are required to sit a practical assessment, including an interview with the Head of Department of their specialism.
All external candidates are required to meet the minimum entry requirements to the school. To do this, they must fulfill one of the following options:
Academic Scholarship to Westonbirt CAT4 entry test at Westonbirt 11+ /13+ Common Entrance (taken in their own school)
References will be requested from external candidates’ schools in support of their applications.
Art & Design Scholarships The Art department runs a termly workshop to develop their scholars and, in addition, all scholars will receive an artist’s portfolio carry case. All candidates must bring a portfolio of recent work to their Art or Design assessment, preferably from the previous twelve months. It is particularly useful to see sketchbooks and a range of materials and responses e.g. photography, 3D, printmaking, painting and drawing, or in other media. All work should be clearly labelled with the candidate’s name and the date produced. All candidates will be expected to discuss their work with the Head of Art & Design and to demonstrate an interest in the subject through their knowledge of artists or designers and exhibitions they have recently visited. There will also be a practical assessment, where candidates will be required to produce a piece of observation work.
Drama Scholarships Drama scholars are expected to take an active part in all school productions and, in addition, will be entitled to one free speech & drama lesson per week. All candidates will be asked to perform one monologue from an age-appropriate range chosen by the Drama department. In preparation, candidates should research into their character, or create a backstory. Their chosen scene should be memorised and should be prepared and rehearsed in advance it may not be improvised. The Head of Drama will interview candidates after their performance.
Music Scholarships All candidates should prepare two contrasting pieces on their first instrument and one on their second instrument (voice is acceptable as a submission for the second instrument). Candidates are expected to sit aural and sightreading tests in addition to their musical performances. They will also have a short interview with the Director of Music. Copies of grade certificates and sheet music for accompaniment (if needed) must be submitted in advance. Minimum standards are as follows: Year 7 (11+) First instrument Grade 3 Year 9 (13+) First instrument Grade 5
Sixth Form (16+) First instrument Grade 7
Choral Scholarships (For entry into Years 9 and 12 only) All candidates should prepare two contrasting songs, which vary in genre and demonstrate their vocal range. In addition to ability, a desire to sing is important and this should be reflected at the assessment. Sight-reading is not essential, although helpful. Copies of sheet music for accompaniment must be submitted in advance.
Music and choral scholars are expected to take all music lessons at the school and will be entitled to one free music or singing lesson a week for the duration of the award. Scholars must be available to play in school concerts and to represent the school whenever required.
Sport Scholarships Sport Scholars are given significant profile and privilege on entry, including a termly workshop to develop their skills. In addition they receive a personalised skin and a gym induction. All sports scholars are expected to be available to represent the school, district, or country whenever required. Sport scholars must nominate two sports for assessment and will undergo a practical assessment to gauge their sporting skills, so a basic games kit should be brought, together with any necessary specialist equipment. Preference will be given to candidates with a proven track record in team sports (such as lacrosse, rugby, netball, hockey or cricket), or outstanding individual ability in athletics, golf, tennis or swimming, or in representative sports. Candidates will have an interview with the Director of Sport to discuss their current involvement in sport and will be expected to demonstrate their ability and discuss their future ambitions. All candidates must bring a short sport CV (one A4 sheet) giving details of teams represented and recent results (including individual personal best performances) and awards achieved (including school colours or badges). It should list positions of responsibility held, and any qualifications gained (BAGA level 4 etc), and clubs they attend.
If you have any questions about the scholarship and/or entry process at Westonbirt School, please contact the Director of Admissions, Mrs Patricia Stevenson.
admissions@westonbirtschool.uk +44 (0)1666 881 301