scholarships - oswestry schooloswestryschool.org.uk/images/articles/admissions/... · scholarships...

Scho

lars

hips

and

Bur

sarie

s

2

Scholarships are awarded in recognition of evidenced talent.

3

Explanation of Terms

Award: a general term used for scholarships and bursaries.

Scholarship: is awarded on an assessment of the pupil’s merit, without reference to parental financial circumstances, worth a maximum value up to 50% of the school fees.

Bursary*: a reduction in fees based on an assessment of the merit of a pupil and the financial circumstances of the family. This is a means-tested award and may be awarded in addition to a scholarship or in its own right up to a maximum value of 70% of the annual school fee, except for the Fully Funded Day Place which is a bursary of 100%.

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded in recognition of evidenced talent. They exist to recognise distinctive academic ability or special talent in art or design, music, languages or sport. All scholarships are won in open competition and are awarded solely on merit.

Scholarship applications are limited to a maximum of two different scholarship types, as well as an all-rounder application. Scholarships are open to all current pupils excepting those who already benefit from a scholarship.

Scholarships may be underpinned by bursary assistance.

Bursaries

Financial help towards the payment of fees in cases of proven need is available in some instances. This assistance is available in the form of bursaries which vary in size according to circumstance. Bursaries are not dependant on scholastic merit but are awarded to pupils who are likely to gain most from an Oswestry education and will contribute fully to the life of the school. The pupils in question must satisfy the school’s entry requirements and continue to work to capacity as they progress through the school. Parents who feel that they may need the support of a bursary are encouraged to discuss the matter with the

school well in advance of the child’s due date of entry. Judgements are dependent on a supporting reference from a candidate’s previous school (where applicable), an informal interview and on scrutiny of the family’s financial circumstances.

Academic Scholarship

Sport Scholarship

Art/Design Scholarship

Music Scholarship

Language Scholarship

All-rounderScholarship

Additional Bursary

Fully funded Bursary

Boarding Scholarship

max % 50 50 50 50 50 50 70 100 30

7+ ✓

11+ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

13+ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

16+ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Summary of Awards Available:

* in accordance with the Charities Commission guidelines, bursaries are awarded following the completion of a confidential statement of financial circumstances and the assessment of a candidates performance.

5

General Information

There are four major points of entry into the school for potential scholars:

7+ scholarships for entry into Year 3

11+ scholarships for entry into Year 7 (named Form 1 at Oswestry)

13+ scholarships for entry into Year 9 (Form 3)

16+ scholarships for entry into Year 12 (Lower Sixth)

For each age-group, the scholarship process normally requires pupils spending half a day at the school being assessed. Parents often ask for examples of past scholarship papers, but our policy at Oswestry is not to issue these. We are looking for natural talent and an ability to react to the unfamiliar, not for well-coached automatons. For this reason, not only do we not issue past papers, we also regularly change our modes of assessment.

The scholarship process for entry into the school takes place on the first Saturday in March in the year of proposed entrance, with practical

assessments in the week preceding – further details will be sent to registered prospective applicants nearer the time.

Candidates who are not already registered for entry to Oswestry School will be requested to do so at a cost of £50 prior to embarking on the Scholarship process. The closing date for applications is eight days before the scholarship assessment day.

It is possible, for candidates who live overseas, to sit the academic papers abroad, providing the school is satisfied that suitable arrangements for the conduct of the examination(s) and the security of the scripts are made. Please contact the Headmaster's PA, Mrs Sarah Davies, for further details.

Oswestry School reserves the right to vary published details should unforeseen circumstance require it.

Academic Scholarships

Academic excellence is at the school’s heart and so to this end we recognise outstanding pupils with academic scholarship awards.

An academic scholar is expected to work at a standard that will lead to the highest grades at GCSE and equivalent success at A-level.

Scholarships worth up to 50% of the school fees will be awarded on the strength of the candidate’s overall performance.

Assessment arrangements

All candidates will also have a short interview with the Headmaster or another senior member of staff and require a good reference and report from the candidate’s current school.

11+ entryCandidates will sit two scholarship papers – one English and one Mathematics paper - as well as a verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests. We welcome candidates with a lively general knowledge, which we regard as a useful indicator of scholarship potential.

13+ entryCandidates will sit compulsory written papers in English, Mathematics and Science. Candidates may then choose their fourth paper from any of the following: Geography, History, Religious Studies, or

Latin. We welcome candidates with a lively general knowledge, which we regard as a useful indicator of scholarship potential.

16+ entryCandidates applying for a scholarship for Sixth Form entry will be required to take examinations in two subjects of their choice. At least one of these papers should be in a subject that the candidate intends to study in the Sixth Form. Candidates will also sit short mathematics and English tests. The school will require a good reference and report from the candidate’s current school, and candidates will be predicted the highest grades at GCSE.

7

Art/Design Scholarships

Art/Design scholarships are awarded to talented artists who have a passion and love of the subject and are able to talk thoughtfully about their work and work of other artists. Art/Design scholarships are available for 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry. 11+ or 13+ entrants are required to take Art and/or Design up to GCSE level, and would be expected to continue with it as a subject at Sixth Form level. 16+ entrants are required to take Art and/or Design at A-Level.

Art/Design scholarships worth up to 50% of the school fees will be awarded on the strength of the candidate’s overall performance across the range of assessments.



The assessment will require each candidate to attend an informal interview and produce the following:

1. A portfolio of up to eight items of work. Quality is more important than quantity and the aim is to show a variety of work which best demonstrates the candidate’s skills and ability. Candidates may include

three dimensional work or photographs of the work if the piece is fragile. Candidates must be prepared to talk with the Head of Art/Design about their work and interests in art and/or design.

2. A finished piece of work based upon a topic. Candidates are asked to produce a finished piece of work in time for the interview based upon the starting point of choosing of the Head of Art/Design. Candidates may work in any medium or combination of media considered suitable for their work. They must include in their portfolio all supporting research and preparatory studies relevant to the development of their ideas.

3. Drawing from observation. Candidates will be asked to produce an observational drawing on the day of the examination. If they have their own favourite coloured pencils or drawing medium, they should bring them along to the art studio. The school will also supply a range of pencils, pens and crayons. The observational drawing and work in the candidate’s’ portfolio will be assessed by the Head of Art/Design.

If candidates are working on GCSE work at present this may be something they have already produced for their portfolio. They should include in their portfolio all supporting research and preparatory studies relevant to the

development of their ideas. If candidates are not doing GCSE Art/Design but wish to take up the subject in the Sixth Form this is not an obstacle as we welcome any pupil who shows talent, potential and passion and dedication to the subject.

The assessment for all Art/Design awards will last approximately 1 hour.

Languages Scholarships

Oswestry School is an international school with an appreciation of other nations’ cultures and languages at the school’s heart and to this end we recognise outstanding pupils with language scholarship awards.

13+ entrants are required to take two languages (from French, Latin, or Spanish) up to GCSE level, and would be expected to continue with one language as a subject at Sixth Form level. 16+ entrants are required to take at least one of French, Latin or Spanish at A-Level.

Scholarships worth up to 50% of the school fees will be awarded on the strength of the candidate’s overall performance.


Candidates will have a short interview with the Headmaster or another senior member of staff. The school will require a

good reference and report from the candidate’s current school. A languages scholar is expected to work in their chosen language(s) at a standard that will lead to the highest grades at GCSE. Please note that candidates cannot apply for the language scholarship in their first language.

Candidates will sit compulsory written papers in two languages: French, Latin, Spanish, or other by arrangement with the Head of Languages. Candidates will have an interview with the Head of Languages or another senior member of the Languages Department, in which language ability, speaking and/or comprehension, will be explored. If French or Spanish is offered, a part of this interview will be in the target language.

9

Music Scholarships

All candidates for a music scholarship will be expected to have a satisfactory level of academic ability and a satisfactory reference and school report. In addition to this there will be a practical assessment. 11+ or 13+ entrants are required to take Music up to GCSE level. All Music scholars are expected to make a significant contribution to the broad musical life of the school, including continued instrumental learning, supporting rehearsals as reasonably requested by the Director of Music, and performing in the school’s musical events.

Music scholarships worth up to 50% of the school fees will be awarded on the strength of the candidate’s overall performance across the range of assessments.

Additionally, choralscholarships are available formembers of the St Oswald'sParish Choir. Please contactthe school for furtherinformation.


1. Candidates should prepare two contrasting pieces on their main instrument. A second study can be offered by the candidate should they so wish.

2. Accompaniments should be provided upon arrival for the interview.

3. If a candidate has composed a piece, he or she may bring a recording, score or perform it.

4. Voice can be offered as main instrument or second study. If voice is offered as a main instrument, a short hymn or song should be sung from memory. The candidate should provide an accompaniment upon arrival for the interview.

5. Candidates will be asked to perform aural tests including clapping rhythms and singing back short melodies.

6. Candidates will have an interview with the Director of Music to discuss their musical experiences to date and their musical ambitions and interests.


Sport Scholarships

The school has a long standing and established reputation for sporting prowess. Sports scholarships are awarded to reflect candidates’ talent and potential in the school’s main sports, based on proven outstanding ability, with particular preference to ability in: athletics, cricket (boys), football (boys), hockey, netball (girls), rugby (boys), rounders (girls), swimming and tennis. They may be considered for an award based on proven outstanding ability in other sports and the potential to contribute significantly to the school’s main sporting programme.

Sport scholarships worth up to 50% of the school fees will be awarded on the strength of the candidate’s overall performance across the range of assessments.


1. Candidates must bring to the assessment a full sporting CV detailing their achievements to date.

2. Candidates will be involved in an interview with members of the PE department, they will undertake fitness testing and complete a multi-sport based practical. For all candidates this will include swimming as well as an indoor skills circuit. Candidates must bring indoor shoes, normal sports kit, swimwear and a towel.

All candidates will also have a short interview with the Headmaster or another senior member of staff and require a good reference and report from the candidate’s current school.11+ or 13+ sports scholars are

expected to take PE up to GCSE level. In order to retain their award, sport scholars must demonstrate commitment and application to school sport, both curricular and extracurricular. There is an extensive Saturday fixture programme, to which sport scholars are required to contribute.

11

All-rounder Scholarships

All-rounder scholarships are awarded to talented pupils who have will make a contribution to Oswestry School life in many areas.

All-rounder scholarships worth up to 50% of the school fees will be awarded on the strength of the candidate’s overall performance across the range of assessments.


7+ entryCandidates will sit short tests - details to follow. All candidates will also have a short interview with the Head of Preparatory Department and require a good reference and report from the candidate’s current school. Candidates will also take part in a ‘taster day’ in the week preceding the scholarship day, during which time ability and engagement will be observed.

11+ or 13+ entryAssessment will be based upon the performance in two chosen scholarship areas and submission of a CV or portfolio (limited to double-side of A4). All candidates will, as part of one of the scholarship assessments, also have a short interview with the Headmaster or another senior member of staff and require a good reference and report from the candidate’s current school.

Boarding Scholarships

Being a boarder brings a special quality to a young person’s education. Being part of a community that is home-from-home makes boarding the defining feature of their time at Oswestry School for many pupils and the opportunities and challenges which are there for them provide an incredible environment in which to grow up.

With this in mind, and with boarding providing such an important element of our school, we offer boarding awards to pupils who are considered good all-rounders and whose contribution to the school community will prove enriching and significant.

These awards, in the form of a scholarship, may be made

up to the value of 30% of the annual boarding fee. The successful candidate will take up a full boarding place in the school and is expected to provide a significant all-round contribution to the school. All candidates will have a short interview with the Headmaster or another senior member of staff and require a good reference and report from the candidate’s current school.

Fully-funded Bursaries

The school offers two fully funded places (100% award) for day pupils of high academic ability wishing for 11+ or 16+ entry to Oswestry School. Candidates follow the same procedure as candidates for an academic scholarship. These awards are means tested and are available to families whose combined gross income does not exceed one and a half times the national annual average salary (currently c.£40k). To be eligible for an award, the family and child must reside within reasonable daily travel distance to the school and provide evidence in support of this. This award includes the payment of the day school fee, any general charges and exam fees. It excludes the cost of the school uniform and optional extras such as stationery, insurance, school trips etc. In

applying for a fully funded day place parents must complete a statement of financial circumstances. Two places (one boy and one girl) are available each year for 11+ and 16+ entry.

Further points to note

All awards are conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory reference from a candidate’s previous school. Tenure of any award depends on continued satisfactory progress, as evidenced in a satisfactory annual Lent term review. Scholars are expected to play a full and active part in the extra-curricular life of the school, particularly in the areas in which their Award recognised a special talent. Awards are normally made in the full expectation that a candidate subject to an Award will complete his/her education at Oswestry School, remaining at the school until his/her Sixth Form studies are complete.

T. J. Jefferis Deputy Head (Academic) [email protected]

For further enquiries please contact: Mrs Sarah Davies,Headmaster's PA,Oswestry School,

Upper Brook Street Oswestry SY11 2TL

Telephone: 01691 655 711 Email: [email protected]

oswestryschool.org.uk

scholarships - oswestry schooloswestryschool.org.uk/images/articles/admissions/... · scholarships...

Documents