Scholarships are awarded at the College to recognise previous achievement, acknowledge existing excellence and to show the importance that the College places upon various areas of the academic and wider curriculum.

Scholarships are only awarded at the normal entry points into the College and upon transfer into the Sixth Form. They are not awarded at any other point. The exceptions are Art and Drama where internal candidates are also considered at age 13. These points of entry are into the First and Third Years and Sixth Form (National Curriculum Years 7, 9 and 12). Consideration for scholarship will only be given to those boys and girls who have the correct ages for that year group or are younger. All scholarships are awarded on merit and in open competition, subject to the limitations below. An award is only given where scholarship has been identified. The importance that the College attaches to scholarship is recognised in that the holding of a scholarship merits a percentage reduction in the basic school fee.

An annual review of all existing scholarships takes place. Where a boy or girl has done their best to uphold the conditions of a scholarship, this review is normally a formality until the end of the Fifth Year. However, where a student has not met the expectations of a scholar in terms of effort, a scholarship can be removed at the end of any academic year including the Lower Sixth.

A major review of scholarships takes place in the Fifth Year. Scholarships are retained for the Sixth Form or are removed where performance no longer merits scholarship in open competition. Scholarships should not be confused with bursaries. The latter are allocated to existing College families in the case of proven financial need.

Scholarships at Age 11 - Entry Into The First Year Of The College

Application

Parents must register their children by completing the Registration Form before November 30th of the College Christmas Term. There is no need to apply to be considered for an Academic Scholarship as all candidates are looked at automatically. All 11+ candidates take the Entrance Examination in early January of the year of entry.

Details about the Entrance Examinations are sent to all families who are registered; this happens in the November preceding the Examination. Families are asked to note that the Entrance Examination can be very early in the month and New Year holidays may need to take this into account.

A letter addressed to the Headmaster with a completed Scholarship Application Form (obtainable from the Headmaster's Secretary) must be sent to the College for all those wishing to be considered for a Music or a Sport scholarship. This must be received by the 30th November of the Christmas Term each year.

Eligibility

Boys and girls must be under 12 years of age on the 1st September of the year of entry.

Timings

The Entrance Examination takes place in early January. All 11+ candidates spend a day at the College. Interviews and assessments for scholarships take place within the two weeks following the Entrance Examination. Details of the timings and requirements for these are sent to families.

Scholarships at Age 13 - Entry Into The Third Year Of The College

Application

The vast majority of candidates applying for scholarship at this age do so from 13+ preparatory schools offering Common Entrance. Any family applying for entry at this age from a school that does not offer Common Entrance, should contact the Headmaster's Secretary for details of the process used in these circumstances. All candidates for scholarship must be holding a conditional place
after pre-testing.

A letter addressed to the Headmaster with a completed scholarship application form, must be sent to the College from the Preparatory school for all those wishing to be considered for an Academic, Art, Music, Sport or Drama Scholarship. This must be received by the 30th November of the Christmas Term each year. Families must discuss the process of application for a scholarship with the Head of their preparatory school.

Existing Second Year College students are automatically considered for Art and Drama scholarship into the Third Year. They are required to present a portfolio or produce an observation drawing alongside external candidates.

Eligibility

Boys and girls must be under 14 years of age on the 1st September of the year of entry.

Timings

The College uses its own Scholarship paper for Academic Awards. Interviews and assessments for Art, Sport and Drama scholarships take place in January whilst assessments for Music Scholarships
normally take place in February. Details of the timings and requirements for these are sent to families. The award of an Art, Music, Sport or Drama scholarship is always dependent upon a satisfactory performance at Common Entrance.

Scholarships at Age 16 - Entry Into The Sixth Form Of The College

Application

All candidates for scholarship must have previously registered with the College by the completion of a registration form.

A letter addressed to the Headmaster with a completed scholarship application form, must be sent to the Headmaster's Secretary before the 1st November. All applicants for all scholarships must take the Scholarship Examination.

Existing Fifth Year students not presently in receipt of a scholarship are automatically considered for scholarship into the Sixth Form. All scholarships held by existing Fifth Year students undergo a major review and are renewed where effort and performance still justify the award of a scholarship.

Eligibility

Students must be under 17 years of age on the 1st September of the year of entry.

Timings

The Scholarship Examination takes place in early November of the calendar year preceding entry. Details of the timings and requirements for this are sent to families. There is also an interview.

The award of all scholarships for external candidates is subject to the minimum GCSE entrance requirements being obtained. These are the expectation that at least 6 grade Bs are obtained with an A grade in those subjects which will be studied (or are most closely related to those) at AS/A2. Offers may require more than the minimum requirements.

Academic Scholarships - Entry into the First Year

These scholarships are awarded on the basis of the Entrance Examination and references from the current school.

The entrance papers consist of nationally standardised verbal and non-verbal examinations along with English and Mathematics examinations set by the College. Specimen copies of the last two papers may be obtained from the Headmaster's Secretary. Similar papers to the verbal and non-verbal tests can be obtained from major bookshops. The standard expected is equivalent to that which is shown by students who ultimately will attain 'A' grades at GCSE and A level and move on to the top universities in the UK.

Entry into the Third Year

These scholarships are awarded on the basis of the College's Scholarship examination, interview and references from the current school. The Latin paper is optional on the Common Scholarship paper. The standard expected is equivalent to that which is shown by students who ultimately will attain 'A' grades at GCSE and A level and move on to the top universities in the UK.

Entry into the Sixth Form

These scholarships are awarded on the basis of the College's Sixth Form Scholarship Examination, interview, GCSE predictions and references from the current school. The standard expected is equivalent to that which is shown by students who will attain 'A' grades at GCSE and A level and move on to the top universities in the UK.

Music Scholarships

Music Scholarships are given to the musically gifted and are awarded on the strength of the candidate's 'potential', judged by both their current level of performance at the time of audition, and a series of aural and written tests. Those offering a second instrument and voice are at an advantage; the College has a particularly strong choral tradition. The College views music scholarships not so much as a prize, but as an 'investment', and in recent years many of our scholars have gone on to gain music scholarships and awards to major colleges and universities. Free tuition may be offered on up to two instruments.

As a guide, the standard generally expected of candidates will be Grade V at 11+ and Grade VI at 13+. Those competing at 16+ need to be of Grade VII standard.

Candidates will be required to play two consecutive pieces on their principal instrument and one piece on their second instrument, to read at sight and to do ear tests and scales appropriate to their technical standard. They may also sing a solo if this is not one of the studies already offered. A piano accompanist will be provided by the College.

It should be emphasised that a high level of commitment is expected of any St George's College Music Scholar, and that the awards are only made to candidates who seriously intend to carry out this commitment.

The College possesses a well-equipped Music Department with a Recital Room, an orchestral rehearsal studio, a computer room, a rock band studio, numerous teaching and practice rooms, a music library and Gamelan Room. There are several choirs, a symphony orchestra, a concert band, string camerata, wind band, jazz band, and many chamber groups, all of which take part in regular concerts, trips and events.

If you require further information about our music scholarships or would like to arrange a visit to St George's College, please complete the online enquiry form, email us or call us on 01932 839300. We very much look forward to meeting you and your son or daughter.

Art Scholarships

Art Scholarships are awarded on the strength of a candidate's potential, judged by the variety and quality of the portfolio and by a timed visual literacy examination.

The portfolio should contain a range of media and methods and exhibit the candidate's commitment to artistic excellence. They will also be expected to produce a good academic performance in the entrance examinations.

Sport Scholarships

Sport Scholarships are given to those deemed talented at sport and are awarded on the strength of the student's 'potential' in their specialised sport. Those able to play a second or third sport will be at
an advantage. The College views scholarships not so much as a prize, but as an 'investment', and in recent years some of our scholars have gone on to gain international recognition as well as gaining entry to major colleges and universities.

A candidate should be able to demonstrate accomplishment equivalent to County representation as a minimum. Although the College's traditions of success are in Hockey, Tennis, Rowing, Netball, Cricket, Rugby and Golf, we do not preclude applicants offering other sports who might gain from our excellent provision. Candidates must also produce a good academic performance in the relevant entrance examinations.

A student that is awarded a Sports scholarship will be expected to give a high level of commitment and it will only be given to those that can seriously commit to College sport across all three terms. Students
therefore must display an outstanding attitude towards all sports played at the College. Their conduct in sport, in competition and in training must be of the highest order. They must lead by example being ambassadors for the college to guests, rivals and peers.

Drama Scholarships

These awards are made to those who are likely to make an outstanding contribution to the College in Drama. It is expected that the candidates will already have made a significant contribution to their present school or local community. They will also be expected to produce a good academic performance in the entrance examination.

Candidates should be able, through performance, to demonstrate the ability to interpret written material in a dramatic context. They should demonstrate the ability to create and convey character, mood, atmosphere, emotion and narrative with flair and accomplishment.

They should also be able to discuss confidently and with ease the importance of drama and demonstrate an awareness of the skills and qualities required to produce good drama. They should have a full record of past accomplishments. Successful candidates will be expected to fulfil commitments to drama activities when required.

Find out more

For more information please contact the College on 01932 839300 or the Junior School on 01932 839400 | contact@st-georges-college.co.uk