Sixth Form Scholarships and Bursaries

Surbiton High School offers the following Sixth Form Scholarships and Awards - Academic, The Dame Angela Rumbold Science Scholarship, Art, The Gillman & Soame Photography Scholarship, Drama, Music and Sport.  These are awarded irrespective of family income. Please click here to view the current date for Sixth Form Scholarship Assessments. Please indicate which Scholarship you are seeking on the Scholarship Registration Form.  All Scholarships and Awards (including Assisted Places and Clergy Bursaries) given when pupils join the Senior School in Year 7 are held for seven years and are thus continued in the Sixth Form.

Sixth Form Academic Scholarships and Awards

Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships and Awards, worth up to 50% of fees, are awarded on merit, and irrespective of family income.

Bursaries are awarded to pupils whose families may have difficulty in meeting the cost of private education and are means-tested. There are other Trusts which can sometimes give limited help. These include the Huguenot Trust, the Mitchell Trust, the Masonic Trust.

The Academic Scholarships and Awards are awarded for all-round academic excellence and are not subject specific. Candidates will be required to undertake the following papers:

The Reasoning Paper
This paper is not subject specific. It is 45 minutes in length and includes tests of logic and verbal and non-verbal reasoning. 

The Subject Paper
The subject paper is 1 hr 30 minutes in length.  Candidates nominate one of their proposed A-level subjects for this examination, which is designed to test subject knowledge and aptitude, and the ability to apply this knowledge. 

The General Essay Paper
This paper is 45 minutes in length. If the pupil normally uses a laptop computer or has extra time for examinations, a written request is required. External candidates should submit a copy of their Educational Psychologist's report recommending access arrangements.

The Dame Angela Rumbold Science Scholarship

The Dame Angela Sixth Form Science Scholarship is to be awarded to a pupil who has attended the school since Year Seven and intends to pursue a Science related course at University. The successful candidate will be expected to study at least two Science subjects at A-level (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and to demonstrate an interest in Science beyond the classroom.

Candidates who wish to be considered for the Dame Angela Rumbold Sixth Form Science Scholarship will be required to sit the Sixth Form Academic Scholarship Papers (Reasoning Paper and General Essay Paper) and a Science Paper - Physics, Chemistry or Biology.  In addition candidates will have an interview with the Head of Science, a member of the Science Department and a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Sixth Form Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships

Successful candidates would be encouraged to take the A-level course appropriate to their discipline, and play a prominent, supportive and active role in the life of the department.  An external assessor may be on the selection panel.

Sixth Form Art Scholarship

In order to be considered for the Art Scholarship applicants should submit a portfolio of their work to the Art Department before the scholarship examination.  The portfolio should contain drawings, paintings, sketch books and any other relevant art work.  The Art assessment will consist of a practical examination in drawing lasting 1 hr 30 minutes, and an interview.  All materials will be provided. Candidates can,however, bring their own drawing materials.

The Gillman & Soame Photography Scholarship

The Gillman & Soame Photography Scholarship is worth up to 33% of the fees. In order to be considered for the scholarship candidates should submit a portfolio of photography which could contain moving images. The photography assessment will consist of a practical assignment lasting one hour as well as an interview. Candidates will be required to bring their own camera.

Sixth Form Drama Scholarship

In order to be considered for the Drama Scholarship, applicants are required to sit a 45 minute written paper and perform a short audition piece. There will be a choice of two questions on the written paper, one related to plays studied and one related to live theatre. Neither question will refer to a specific play/production but will assume that candidates will have read and/or seen several plays over the course of the last two years. The audition piece should be about 50-100 lines in length and may include physical theatre/dance-drama as well as the spoken word. The extract MUST be from a published play. There will be a follow-up discussion where the candidate will be invited to talk about the creative process behind the performance. They will also be asked to demonstrate proven commitment to Drama and their broader interest in the subject. Please note that it is not essential to have completed GCSE Drama to apply for the scholarship and that we welcome applications from students with technical/design skills.

Sixth Form Music Scholarship

In order to be considered for a Music Scholarship, candidates should have reached the equivalent of Grade 7 standard on their principal instrument.  At the audition candidates are expected to present two contrasting pieces on their first instrument and, if applicable, one piece on their second instrument.  Each piece should last no longer than five minutes.  Unfortunately an accompanist cannot be provided by the School, but candidates may bring their own accompanist if they wish.  At interview candidates will be asked to sight read, to take some aural tests and to discuss their musical activities, interests and achievements.

Sixth Form Sport Scholarship

In order to be considered for a Sports Scholarship, candidates should demonstrate a level of competence equivalent to county/national level and above in their chosen sport.  On the day, candidates will be asked to bring their portfolio as evidence of their expertise in their chosen sport/s and be prepared to leave it at School for 3 to 4 days.  Candidates will be asked to participate in a fitness testing programme to assess their all round sporting ability, strength and agility, stamina, speed and eye hand coordination.  There will be time set aside for a structured and thorough warm up before the fitness tests.  There will also be an interview where candidates will be expected to discuss sporting issues, current sporting events and show your commitment, passion and aspiration.

Bursaries

We wish to ensure that Surbiton High School is accessible to talented students irrespective of parental income. Bursaries are awarded to girls whose families may have difficulty in meeting the cost of private education, and are means-tested. There are other Trusts which can sometimes give limited help. These include the Huguenot Trust, the Mitchell Trust, the Masonic Trust etc.

An application for a Bursary should be addressed in writing to the Admissions Registrar. Deadline dates for applications are available on the School Prospectus documentation and on the website. The United Church Schools' Trust will provide an application form for Financial Assistance which should be completed and returned in strict confidence. For new pupils the award of financial assistance is subject to satisfactory performance in the entrance examination and if, as is likely, the demand exceeds the number available, bursaries will be awarded with reference to performance in the relevant assessment.