Scholarships at King’s

A guide to scholarships at 13+ for entry toKing’s College School in September 2020

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Academic Scholarships and Exhibitions at 13+

Academic Awards

About 15 academic scholarships may be awarded each year. The number will vary according to the quality of the candidates. There will be two academic awards available:

Major scholarships worth £400 per annum and scholarships worth £200 per annum.

Entry and Qualification

Candidates must be under 14 years of age on 1st September 2020 and already hold the offer of a place for entry to the fourth form in 2020. Applications should be received in the admissions office by Monday 2nd March 2020.

Examinations

The academic scholarship exams will take place at King’s on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th May 2020.

Interviews

All candidates will be interviewed and also given a brief French speaking test on the afternoons of Tuesday 28th April or Thursday 30th April 2020.

Subject awards

Boys who by their performance in the examinations have shown the highest achievement and promise will be given a subject award. These awards will be honorary and may be won only by those who have also secured a place through the scholarship route. Subject awards will be given in English, Mathematics, Science, French, Classics (offering Greek is advantageous but not essential), Geography and History.

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Academic Scholarships

Candidates will take the following papers:

English (1 hour 30 minutes)Section A: (45 minutes) Comprehension. There are a number of short-answer questions

in response to a poem. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to select and interpret evidence, and express their ideas with accuracy and concision.

Section B: (45 minutes) Candidates answer one question, choosing EITHER Studied Literature OR Composition.

Studied Literature. Through close reference to a literary text of their choice (either one they have studied or read in their own time), candidates should write a structured and supported essay on ONE theme or topic. The question will offer at least 10 possible themes/topics on which to answer.

Composition. Candidates should demonstrate their creative ability to control language and express complex ideas according to form, purpose and audience. There will be a choice of two composition tasks.

French (1 hour 15 minutes)A reading and writing paper (1 hour)This will consist of:• A challenging reading comprehension passage which will not allow for lifting from the

text.• A gap-fill grammar exercise: this will be a continuous piece of text with, for example,

infinitives and adjectives given. These should be put into their correct form according to the context. Present, passé composé and future may be required but not the imperfect tense.

• Verb conjugation: candidates will be asked to conjugate a number of verbs across three tenses - present, passé composé and future. They will not be asked to conjugate the whole verb paradigm, but rather specific forms of it (e.g. Je and nous, and these will be different for each verb). Common verbs only will be chosen but they will include some irregulars.

• One essay of 130-150 words (from a choice of two): both essays will be themed around a topic area with four bullet point elements to include. Past, present and future will be required and will be implicit in the bullet point. The bullet points will be in French.

Speaking test (10 minutes plus 5 minutes preparation time)

Candidates will have five minutes to prepare to speak about a photograph (from a choice of two). At the beginning of the test, they will describe the photo briefly in French and this will lead to a discussion of the content of the photo, followed by general conversation with the examiner.

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Geography (1 hour)Eight essay questions will be set in two sections: Human Geography and Physical Geography. Candidates will be asked to answer one question from each section. Questions will draw from both the common entrance syllabus and wider geographical topics.

History (1 hour)

The paper will have two sections, one source based and one essay based. The source question will include sources on a topic of international history. There will be two questions on the sources looking at interpretation and comparative skills. Pupils will not need to have studied the period to be able to answer the questions.

The essay section will feature six questions of which candidates will be asked to answer one. Questions will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of British and European history since 1066 and will be phrased to allow candidates to reveal knowledge of particular topics studied in depth.

Latin (1 hour)

There are two Latin passages for translation into English and one Latin comprehension question. The grammatical and syntactical syllabus is broadly equivalent to that of the common academic scholarship. An additional King’s scholarship vocabulary list will be supplied to the candidate’s school with the specimen paper. Candidates may, if they wish, answer a Greek section instead of the second Latin translation. The Greek syllabus comprises the content of John Taylor, Greek to GCSE Part 1, Chapters 1-3. The assessment involves both Greek sentences for translation into English and English sentences for translation into Greek.

Mathematics (1 hour 30 minutes)

The questions will be based on the extended 13+ common entrance syllabus (level 3), together with structured questions that may introduce unfamiliar techniques.

Questions will require insight and ingenuity, in addition to knowledge of standard techniques on the common entrance syllabus. There will be no mental test component. Calculators may be used and candidates should bring their own geometric instruments.

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Science (1 hour 30 minutes)

The Science paper is divided into three sections with each section attracting 30 marks:

Section A: Biology

There will be one synoptic question on a broad topic which candidates should answer in essay format.

Planning 10 marks

Candidates should show all ideas in a brief plan.

Essay 20 marks

There is no word limit, but candidates should aim to be succinct and precise with their writing and fully develop as many ideas as possible with examples from the natural world. Candidates, whilst not expected to have knowledge beyond common entrance, should not have to limit themselves to common entrance topics, but are free to include examples as they wish and feel are relevant.

Section B: Chemistry & Section C: Physics

The Chemistry and Physics sections each contain one question which will be broken up into multiple parts. The question will usually start by being quite closed in style, commonly involving short answer factual recall or simple calculation based problems. It will then steadily progress to being more open-ended and difficult; where, for example, students might be asked to apply their knowledge and understanding to explain novel material. Calculators may be used. The paper will require no knowledge of topics outside the common entrance syllabus. Any further information that may be needed will be provided on the question paper itself, as will mark allocations.

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Art Scholarship at 13+

The Award

There will typically be two Art awards made each year to boys of high artistic ability or potential. Art scholarships will be worth £400 per annum and Art exhibitions will be worth £200 per annum.

Entry and Tenure

It is a condition of the award that the scholar must be under 14 years of age on 1st

September 2020 and that he has received confirmation of his place in the fourth form before that date.

The award will be continued until the boy leaves the school, subject to satisfactory progress and conduct.

Selection

The selection process for the Art scholarship is in three parts; presentation of a portfolio, a practical assessment and a short interview. Students will present a portfolio of their work, this should contain 10-12 pieces and would normally be expected to include work that has been completed by the candidate in their own time and at school, as well as an accompanying sketchbook. They will also be invited to a half-day practical assessment in an informal and friendly atmosphere in the King’s studios. This day consists of one main drawing assessment and one shorter colour task. For the drawing task candidates will be offered a number of objects or groups of objects from which they will create an observational drawing. They will finally complete a colour study created in response to an Artist’s work, which will assess students’ ability to work with colour. Lastly candidates will have a brief talk with an external adjudicator regarding their interests and the work in their portfolio.

Applications should be submitted by Friday 31st January 2020 for the drawing day on Friday 28th February 2020.

Application forms and information sheets are available on the 13+ admissions pages of the website.

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Drama Scholarships at 13+

The Award

There will typically be two Drama awards made each year. Drama scholarships will be worth £400 per annum and Drama exhibitions will be worth £200 per annum. The school’s intention is to offer awards to drama enthusiasts of outstanding ability and potential as performers, technicians or practitioners. Scholars will be expected to contribute in depth to the theatrical life of the school, as required by the director of Drama, who will be pleased to see prospective applicants to discuss Drama at King’s and give advice on preparation.

Entry and Tenure

It is a condition of the award that the scholar must be under 14 years of age on 1st

September 2020 and that he has received confirmation of his place in the fourth form before that date.

Award winners are typically expected to take Drama as a fourth form creative option, and at GCSE level. Drama scholars will be expected to play a full part in the drama life of the school, and opportunities will be created for them in the co-curricular sphere (although a Drama scholar should not necessarily expect leading roles in every production). For this reason it is not practicable to hold this award in conjunction with either a Sport or Music award. The award is subject to a formal review with the director of Drama twice during a boy’s time at school.

Selection

The selection process will depend on the interests and enthusiasms of the candidate, but will include a day’s practical workshop, including an interview with the director of Drama. Whether the candidate’s interests lie in acting, technical arts, design, directing or scriptwriting, the overriding criterion must be a passion for drama and theatre. We are looking for enthusiastic collaborators and leaders, willing to become fully involved and to support the ethos of Drama within the school.

Applications should be submitted by Friday 31st January 2020. Candidates will be invited to a selection day on Wednesday 25th March 2020.

Application forms and information sheets are available on the 13+ admissions pages of the website.

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Music Scholarship at 13+

The Award

One or more Music scholarships worth £400 per annum plus free instrumental tuition on two instruments may be awarded each year. One or more exhibitions, attracting free tuition on two instruments, may also be awarded. The school’s intention is to offer awards to instrumentalists of outstanding ability and potential. As a guideline, a boy of at least grade 6 standard would be considered a promising candidate. The school, with its large and well-equipped Music department offers abundant opportunities for music-making, both instrumental and vocal, and the award winners will be expected to contribute in depth to the musical life of the school.

The director of Music will be pleased to make an appointment to see prospective scholars, to give advice on preparation and to discuss Music at King’s.

Entry and Tenure

It is a condition of the award that the scholar must be under 14 years of age on 1st

September 2020 and that he has received confirmation of his place in the fourth form before that date.

Award winners are typically expected to take Music at GCSE and it is hoped they might consider it as an option in the sixth form. All Music scholars and exhibitioners are expected to play a full part in the musical life of the school. For this reason it is not practicable for a candidate to hold both a Music and Sport or Drama award. The award is subject to a formal review with the director of Music twice during a boy’s time at the school.

The Audition

During the audition each candidate will be required to perform two contrasting pieces on his main instrument and one piece on a second and third instrument if applicable. Singing may be offered in addition, or as an instrumental study in its own right. Scales may be asked as a warm-up and to help settle the candidates. There will also be some sight-reading, a quick study, aural tests and a short viva voce.

An accompanist can be provided if the music is sent at least one week in advance of the audition.

Applications should be submitted by Friday 10th January 2020 and the auditions will be held on Wednesday 29th January 2020. Application forms are available on the school website, and further details on the audition can be obtained from the Music department administrator, Caroline Revill, on 020 8255 5386 or at c.revill@kcs.org.uk.

Sport Scholarship at 13+

The Award

There will typically be two Sport awards made each year to boys of exceptional sporting talent, who also demonstrate outstanding sporting ability or potential, determination and enthusiasm. Sport scholarships will be worth £400 per annum and Sport exhibitions will be worth £200 per annum. Sport scholars should have exceptional talent in one or more sports, normally at least two. Preference will be given to those involved in the school’s major games – rugby, hockey, football, cricket and tennis, although a high level of ability in another of the school’s sports may be an advantage.

Entry and Tenure

It is a condition of the award that the scholar must be under 14 years of age on 1st

September 2020 and that he has received confirmation of his place in the fourth form before that date.

All recipients of a Sport scholarship are expected to contribute fully to the sporting life of the school in all three terms of the academic year. For this reason it is not practicable for a candidate to hold both a Sport award and a Music or Drama award.

Selection

Applications should be submitted by Friday 31st January 2020 and candidates will be invited to take part in a sports assessment and interview day on Thursday 12th March 2020 when they will be required to:

• Be interviewed by the director of Sport

• Participate in the sports offered

• Perform appropriate fitness tests

The director of Sport would be pleased to meet candidates informally at any stage to answer queries about the scholarships.

Application forms and information sheets are available on the 13+ admissions pages of the website.

The school reserves the right to offer more or fewer awards than the approximate figures suggested in this document when we feel that is in keeping with the standards of the candidates in any particular year.

King’s College SchoolSouthsideWimbledon CommonLondonSW19 4TTTel 020 8255 5352Fax 020 8255 5357admissions@kcs.org.ukwww.kcs.org.uk