SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS & EXHIBITIONS SEPTEMBER 2018
Westonbirt School, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QG, UK T 01666 881301 E admissions@westonbirt.org (Admissions Director pstevenson@westonbirt.org) www.westonbirt.org
Scholarships & Exhibitions 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 entry form. Scholarships are available for Academic Excellence, Art, Drama, Music, Sport and Choral (13+ & 16+ only). We also offer The Mary Henderson Performing Arts Scholarship, for all round excellence in Music, Drama and Dance. For external candidates the Head or Director of Studies of their current school should be able to offer advice on the candidate’s suitability. We are now accepting applications for 2018 Entrance: Sixth Form (16+) Scholarships held on Tuesday 21 & Wednesday 22 November 2017 Closing date Wednesday 25 October 2017 Year 7 (11+) Scholarships held on Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17 January 2018 Closing date Wednesday 6 December 2017 Year 9 (13+) Scholarships held on Tuesday 30 & Wednesday 31 January 2018 Closing date Wednesday 13 December 2017
Awards for Scholarships & Exhibitions A Scholarship is worth 10% of the current tuition (day) fees. Exhibitions are also available and worth 5%. Reductions in boarding fees may also be considered in certain circumstances, upon submission of a Bursary application form and supporting documents. Scholarships and Exhibitions may have Bursaries added to them in the case of proven financial need, but Scholarships and Exhibitions are not currently means tested.
Academic Scholarships Candidates for Entry in to Year 7 (11+) or Year 9 (13+) All candidates will have a short interview with the Headmistress and be required to sit the academic papers as follows: English, Mathematics, Science, French (only for 11+ candidates who have previously studied written French) and Latin (only for 13+ candidates who have previously studied the subject) they will also sit an age appropriate non-verbal Reasoning test. Candidates for Entry to the Sixth Form (16+) All candidates will have to submit a written application to the Headmistress and this will be followed by a short interview. They will have subject interviews in their A Level choices, and be required to sit an essay based test on a subject of their choice relevant to their A level choices. References will be requested from external candidates’ schools to support their applications. Current pupils are also eligible to enter for the Westonbirt Memorial Trust Bursaries, these will be awarded to a Year 11 girl who will benefit most from Sixth Form study and make a positive contribution to the life of the school. Applications should be made to the Headmistress by the end of January 2017. There are two additional honours that may be awarded to current pupils. Priority for The Lowther Award is given to daughters of Old Girls from Lowther College or girls from the North Wales / Cheshire area. The Claire Greener Initiative Award assists a girl with an additional course or study project away from Westonbirt School, to support and expand their proposed A Level courses.
Art, Drama, Music, Performing Arts and Sport Scholarships All candidates will have a short interview with the Headmistress and be required to sit a practical assessment, including an interview with the Head of Department. All candidates are required to meet the minimum entry requirements to the school. They may sit for the Academic Scholarship papers, or the Westonbirt Entrance papers in English, Mathematics (age appropriate) and non-verbal reasoning, or take 11+ / 13+ Common Entrance in their own school. In the case of 16+ candidates, they will have subject interviews in their A Level choices, and be required to write a letter of application to the Headmistress. References will be requested from external candidates’ schools to support their applications.
Art Scholarships All candidates must bring a portfolio of recent work to their Art 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, etc. All work should be clearly labelled with the candidate’s name and the date produced. All candidates will be expected to discuss their work and demonstrate an interest in the subject through their knowledge of artists and exhibitions they have recently visited. There will also be a practical assessment, where candidates will be required to produce a piece of direct observation work. Art scholars will be given a variety of opportunities to develop their talent as well as being presented with an art portfolio on arrival.
Drama Scholarships All candidates will be asked to perform an audition piece (time limit: 5 minutes). This scene should be taken from a play or adapted from a novel. The candidate should have read the play or novel and will be asked to discuss the characters and plot or story with the Head of Drama. The scene should be memorised and should be prepared and rehearsed in advance - it may not be improvised .Candidates may also be required to take part in group workshop as part of their audition process. This will be subject to the number of candidates applying and candidates will be notified in advance. All drama scholars will receive one free Speech & Drama lesson per week for the duration of their scholarship.
‘Mary Henderson’ Performing Arts Scholarship All candidates will be assessed in each of the three separate disciplines: Music, Drama and Dance, and should bring with them a portfolio of their work. They may also be asked to improvise or perform something unprepared, pitched at their current ability level. Music: All candidates should prepare two contrasting pieces which demonstrate their vocal range; one should showcase their ability to move and sing simultaneously. Accompaniments should be on a CD backing track. The assessment will include a few aural exercises. Drama: All candidates should prepare a scene from a book or play to perform (under 5 minutes). This can be a script that they have learnt or they can act as a character from a book that they have read, using their own words to bring their thoughts to life. Dance: All candidates should perform a prepared routine in a genre of their choice, which should demonstrate their performance skills.
Music Scholarships All candidates should prepare two contrasting pieces on their first instrument and for Music Scholars, one on their second instrument (voice is acceptable as a submission for the second instrument). Aural and sight-reading tests will also take place, as will an informal discussion. Copies of grade certificates must be submitted in advance with the scholarship application form. Music scholars are expected to take all music lessons at the school and must be available to play in school concerts or to represent the school for Music whenever required. Scholars will be eligible for one free instrumental lesson per week for the duration of their scholarship. 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 Year 9 and Year 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. Successful scholars will receive one free singing lesson per week for the duration of their scholarship.
Sports Scholarships Preference will be given to girls with a proven track record in team sports (such as lacrosse, netball, hockey or cricket) or outstanding individual ability in athletics, tennis or swimming. 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. All candidates will be expected to demonstrate their ability and discuss their future ambitions. There will also be a practical assessment, to gauge their sporting skills so a basic games kit should be brought, together with any specialist equipment. Sport scholars are given significant profile and privilege on entry, and will be part of a performance development group. All sports scholars are also expected to be available to represent the school, district or country whenever required.
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. Candidates may apply for up to two scholarships. All awards are means tested and all candidates must submit a covering letter, as part of the application.
How to apply For further information and application forms, please contact Director of Admissions, Mrs Patricia Stevenson on 01666 881301 or, pstevenson@admissions.org or email the Admissions team on admissions@westonbirt.org.