Scholarships
Academic Scholarships
All candidates sitting assessment for entry at 11+, 13+ and 16+ will automatically be considered for the academic scholarships.
At 11+ there are three academic scholarships available. The value of each scholarship is 5% of the fees. Candidates sit papers in English and Mathematics and also complete a general paper.
At 13+ there are three academic scholarships available. The value of each scholarship is 5% of the fees. Candidates sit papers in English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Studies, a modern language (French, Spanish, Italian or German), Latin, and choose from either History or Geography.
At 16+ there is one academic scholarship available. The value of the scholarship is 5% of the fees. Candidates sit a written paper, meet Department Heads of those subjects they wish to study at A Level, and are also interviewed by the Head of Sixth Form.
Scholarships are tenable throughout the scholar’s time at St Mary’s, subject to certain conditions.
All Rounder Scholarship
At 11+ and 13+ one all-rounder scholarship is awarded at each age group to a candidate who is likely to contribute exceptionally well to the overall life of the school. The value of each scholarship is 5% of the fees. It takes into account ability in two areas of activity outside of the classroom (art, drama, music or sport) as well as academic potential. Recipients will be selected from the entrance assessments, and the current Head teacher’s reference will be given careful consideration. The scholarship is tenable throughout the scholar’s time at St Mary’s, subject to certain conditions.
Art Scholarship
Award: One scholarship of 5% of the fees
Eligibility: Application for the scholarship is open to those pupils applying for entry to St Mary’s at 11+, 13+ or to the Sixth Form. The scholarship is awarded to a girl who shows outstanding potential in any aspect of art. The candidate must also demonstrate a strong commitment to, and enthusiasm for, art in general. She must, of course, satisfy the academic requirements, as assessed in the entrance examination and interview.
Application forms are available from the Admissions Office and will be required to be completed and submitted by Friday 25 October 2024. Candidates should submit a portfolio of between 10 and 12 pieces of work, not exceeding A1 size, covering a range of different processes and techniques. Ceramics and other 3D work will only be accepted for consideration in photographic form. The portfolio must show evidence of work produced at home as well as at school. Each piece should be clearly labelled with the candidate’s name, age and the date when it was undertaken. All the work should be presented in a folder.
Art scholars are selected on the basis of an excellent portfolio, an art examination and an interview. A written statement should be received by the school from the candidate’s current art teacher.
Candidates will be required to submit their portfolios, clearly named, together with a written statement from their current art teacher, by 9:30am on Friday 8 November. Successful candidates will be invited by the Head of Art to sit an examination in either drawing or painting on Friday 15 November.
Pupils holding an art scholarship are expected to make a strong contribution to the artistic life of the school. They are expected to follow the Art and Design course leading to GCSE.
Music Scholarship
Award: One scholarship of 5% of the fees and up to three 30-minute music lessons per week.
Eligibility: The scholarship is open to pupils applying for entry to St Mary’s at 11+ or 13+. The scholarship is awarded to a girl who shows outstanding potential in music. The candidate must also demonstrate a strong commitment to, and enthusiasm for, music in general. She must, of course, satisfy the academic requirements, as assessed in the entrance examination and interview.
Procedure: Application forms are available from the Admissions Office and should be submitted by Friday 25 October 2024. Please note that the applicant’s current Head teacher must sign the form and that a detailed report from the candidate’s first study instrument teacher must be enclosed with the application form. Parents are asked to send copies of all music, including relevant accompaniments, one week prior to the audition.
Candidates who are selected from their application by the Director of Music will be called for an interview and audition on Wednesday 20 November 2024 and should expect to be at the school for approximately one hour.
Pupils holding a music scholarship are expected to make a strong contribution to the musical life of the school. They are expected to follow the Music course leading to GCSE.
Sports Scholarship
Award: One scholarship of 5% of the fees
Eligibility: The scholarship is open to pupils applying for entry to St Mary’s at 13+ and 11+. The scholarship is awarded to a girl who shows outstanding potential in at least two sports which are played at St Mary’s (netball, hockey, tennis, athletics, and swimming). The candidate must also demonstrate a strong commitment to, and enthusiasm for, sport in general. She must, of course, satisfy the academic requirements, as assessed in the entrance examination and interview.
Procedure: Application forms are available from the Admissions Office, and should be submitted by Friday 25 October 2024. Please note that the candidate’s present Head teacher and Head of PE will be asked for a detailed reference. The candidate is required to submit a record of her sporting achievements and any positions of leadership held. In addition, any reference submitted by an external coach is beneficial but not compulsory.
Candidates selected by the Head of PE from their application will be called for an interview and assessment at St Mary’s on Friday 8 November 2024. They should expect to take a series of practical tests, some relevant to all sports, some specific to the two sports they have nominated, and be interviewed by members of St Mary’s PE department.
Pupils holding a sport scholarship are expected to make a strong contribution to the sporting life of the school.
