Scholarships
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
Introduction Academic
Design
Music Drama
Dance
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in our scholarship provision.
We hope this guide gives you all the information you need to help you decide whether to proceed with an application.
Scholarships are awarded to those who demonstrate outstanding achievement, enthusiasm and potential in their chosen discipline.
Scholars receive regular personalised mentoring. Scholars can attend and lead a wide range of weekly, termly and annual events and trips, share their work, and can apply for grant funding for independent research.
We will help you push your boundaries and reach new heights.
Most scholarships are honorary, but a small number will carry a financial award of up to 10% reduction in annual school fees, and dependent on individual circumstances, can be run alongside a bursary. Most scholars retain their scholarship throughout their time here; however, they are reviewed annually to ensure scholars are meeting all participation requirements.
For all scholarships, except Sport Scholarships, applications should be submitted by December 1st in the year preceding entry into the 1st Form, 3rd Form, or Sixth Form. Assessments are scheduled for the week leading up to the Spring Term half-term.
Sport Scholarship applications have an earlier deadline of September 30th in the year before entry, with assessments conducted in midOctober (13th and 14th in 2025).
Internal applications from pupils transitioning from the 2nd Form to the 3rd Form, and from the 5th Form to the Sixth Form, follow the same procedure as external candidates.
Whatever their discipline Scholars are expected to work hard, show commitment and enthusiasm, and contribute fully to the life of the College. They are expected to be role models - especially in their behaviour and attitude to learning.
We hold a Scholarship Information Morning in September when you can find out more about our scholarships and the application and assessment process. There be a chance to speak to Heads of Departments and ask any questions you may have.
This year this event is on Tuesday 23rd September at 9.30am. To book you place, please click here.
Academic
3rd Form
1st Form Sixth Form
We cultivate polymaths and polyglots, thought leaders and opinion makers, but most of all, we cultivate the joyful, free life of the mind.
We select, support and champion Academic Scholars to dive deeper and follow their curiosity. They receive 1:1 mentoring to extend their learning. They attend and lead a wide range of events each term designed to widen their horizons far beyond the national curriculum, and be collaborate with their peers in all year groups. They will prepare and present annual and termly independent projects and contribute to the Scholars’ journal. The annual Academics retreat develops their
creativity and communications skills. Nothing prepares pupils to gain places in the most competitive universities, including Oxbridge, like our Academic Scholars programme.
Academic awards are available to pupils entering the College at 1st Form, 3rd Form and Sixth Form, who demonstrate scholarship potential in individual subjects as well as in overall academic ability. APPLY FOR A 13+ ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
APPLY FOR A 16+ ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
Art
3rd Form Sixth Form
Our Art School offers a suite of studios for painting, drawing, sculpture, photography & film, and ceramics and printing. We have a dedicated Sixth Form studio, a ceramic studio, a printmaking area, a critical studies and computer/media resource area, a specialised Art Library and a tutorial area.
Our Prideaux Gallery hosts a range of exhibitions throughout the year. These include exhibitions by visiting artists, touring collections from National Galleries and student shows.
We are looking for enthusiastic candidates who show a high level of skill and dedication and who will act as ambassadors for our Art Department.
Our staff, most of whom are practising artists themselves, have a wealth of experience in supporting artists. We offer our Scholars additional workshops to help them develop the skills and experience they need to excel at university and beyond. The department works closely with the DT department giving access not only to their studios, but also their facilities, including 3D printers. All Art Scholars are given the opportunity to display and exhibit their own work. APPLY
Design Technology
3rd Form Sixth Form
Our dynamic and thriving DT department is well equipped with a metal workshop, a wood workshop, and textiles room, and a CAD, CAM and IT suite.
Design & Technology Scholars are expected to make the most of these facilities to pursue their particular interests and develop their skills both within and outside the taught curriculum to GCSE level and beyond. Scholars will be given the opportunity to display and exhibit their own work.
We are looking for candidates who have a genuine interest in solving practical problems, have creative flair and are able to talk about the areas of Design Technology that they are interested in.
Music
3rd Form
Form 1st Form
Our Music Department plays an important part in College life. It is well equipped to cater for the needs of our many musicians and offers excellent facilities for teaching, ensemble work and solo practice. Our regular concerts, often organised by our Music Scholars, offer individual and ensemble performance opportunities, and showcase our extensive range of musical talent.
In assessing candidates, we are looking for those who can demonstrate technical skill and a flair for performance, together with a genuine enthusiasm and passion for music.
Our Music Scholars’ programme includes regular trips to the Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, Glyndebourne, London’s West End, as well as more local venues. In addition, we arrange masterclasses, workshops and lectures, creating a wealth of opportunities for developing a passion and cultural appreciation of music. Scholarship awards are tailor-made to each Scholar, outlining weekly commitments and expectations. Our Performing Arts team ensure Scholars have a balanced schedule across all aspects of College life.
Music Scholars receive free tuition on one instrument.
Drama
1st Form
3rd Form Sixth Form
Our lively and vibrant Drama department holds numerous events throughout the year, giving Scholars the chance to be involved in many performances and workshops. Their involvement may be as a performer, director, technician, or stage manager, and may include being front of house or working backstage.
We are looking for those with not only excellent performance skills but those who also demonstrate a passion and love of drama and wish to share this with others.
The department hosts outside theatre companies, practitioners, speakers and artists to enrich our pupils’ understanding of drama and theatre, and give them the opportunity to watch and learn directly from industry professionals. Recent guests include Frantic Assembly, Told by an Idiot Theatre Company, Propeller Theatre Company and the Gecko Theatre Company.
Each year the department takes a production to the Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke.
APPLY FOR A DRAMA SCHOLARSHIP
Dance
1st Form
3rd Form
Sixth Form
Our Dance Scholars have many opportunities for performance including our annual Music and Dance Show, our Performing Arts Evening and, of course, our Music and Drama productions. Their involvement may be as a performer or backstage with choreography, costume hair or make up.
The Dance programme encompasses Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary (including lyrical), Commercial (street dance) and Acro.
We are looking for candidates with a proven track record of participation in dance performances who are able to demonstrate skill and flair in performance, and show a genuine enthusiasm for their particular discipline.
APPLY FOR A DANCE SCHOLARSHIP
Sport
1st Form
3rd Form Sixth Form
We have a history of sporting excellence – alumni Jonny Wilkinson kicked England to World Cup victory in the 2003 World Cup final, and Ugo Moyne played for England and the British & Irish Lions (and is the Patron of our Foundation). Two of our top scoring girl cricketers, Finty Trussler and Gemma Lane, have recently signed contracts with Southern Vipers.
Across the College we offer a wide variety of sports, but for Sports Scholarships we focus on our main team sports, which are cricket, hockey, netball, football and rugby. However, consideration may be given to applicants offering excellence in individual sports, particularly athletics, swimming, golf and tennis.
We are looking for candidates with excellent sporting and leadership ability and potential, who offer at least two of the College’s main sports. Candidates should be able to demonstrate skill and flair in performance and show a genuine enthusiasm for their chosen sports.
Our Athlete Pathway provides help and support to pupils who compete at a high level across a wide range of sports, and we work with them to give them the best opportunities to enable them to achieve their goals. Currently we have a range of students on club, county, regional and national pathways across all of our main sports and they are supported at LWC by a personal scholar mentor
Assessments
Academic —1st Form, 3rd Form and Sixth Form
Prior to the assessment day, candidates must submit a 500-word essay with a bibliography on a topic of their choice.
Academic candidates will sit the General Paper, a Non-Verbal Reasoning assessment (online), and then select two subject papers from the following options: –English –Geography –History –Latin –Maths
–Modern Foreign Languages (French or Spanish) –Religious Studies & Philosophy –Science (candidates choose from Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
In a twenty-minute interview, candidates will then be asked to present five-minute “Listen, Wonder, Connect” talk on a topic of their choosing, with follow up questions. This topic should be distinct from the topic of your essay. Candidates will also be given a short passage to read aloud and discuss.
For further details and guidance on preparation, please follow this link Sixth Form candidates are expected to achieve a minimum of 7s at GCSE and grade 9s in the subjects they wish to study at A Level. Sixth Formers will not sit further subject tests, but will have an interview following the same format, with appropriately higher expectations.
Art —3rd Form and Sixth Form
DT —3rd Form and Sixth Form
Applicants will be invited to an assessment day which will include an interview with our Head of Art and may include the requirement to complete some work. In advance of the interview, applicants will be asked to submit a PowerPoint presentation that demonstrates their interests and skills. Personal work is encouraged. The presentation should be no more than 10 slides and should be a selection of work.
3rd Form candidates must select Art as one of their GCSE choices.
Sixth Form candidates will also be asked to submit their sketchbook from the last two years. Sixth Form candidates must select Art as one of their A Level choices.
Candidates should bring their portfolio/sketchbooks to the interview and submit their power point on week before hand to our Head of Art, Graham Mobbs (mobbsg@lordwandsworth.org).
Candidates will be asked to attend an assessment day during which they will be asked to present a portfolio work. Candidates may be asked to do some work during the assessment.
An interview with our Head of DT will allow candidates to discuss their current work and their particular design interests.
3rd Form candidates must select Design Technology as one of their GCSE choices and Sixth Form must do so at A Level.
Dance —1st Form, 3rd Form and Sixth Form
Candidates will be asked to attend an assessment day during which 11+ and 13+ candidates will be asked to perform one routine to music of their own choice demonstrating their ability to engage fully with their audience. This routine should not exceed two minutes.
Candidates will also be asked to improvise to a short piece of music selected for them. Candidates should be prepared to discuss a dance performance they have seen and enjoyed.
In addition, 3rd Form candidates will be asked to reflect upon their own performance experience. The assessment for Sixth Form candidates is the same, except that they will be asked to perform two routines.
Drama —1st Form, 3rd Form and Sixth Form
Music —1st Form, 3rd Form and Sixth Form
Candidates should perform one audition speech from a play of their choice. The monologue should not exceed two minutes (three minutes at 3rd Form) and should incorporate appropriate voice and movement. It must be learnt by heart and not read. Candidates should demonstrate a firm grasp of the character in the scene and be able to justify their interpretation. They will not be expected to have read the play as a whole.
Candidates will be asked to work practically on another speech with the help of the Director. Candidates will also be asked to sight read a short section of script and talk about a production they have seen which they enjoyed, and that they thought was effective.
Scholars will normally be expected to select Drama as one of their GCSE choices.
At Sixth Form levle candidates must perform two audition speeches from two different plays of their choice. The pieces must show a contrast in style to emphasise the candidate’s versatility in character, voice and movement, (Shakespeare, Greek, Restoration Comedy, contemporary, etc). Both pieces must be learnt by heart and not read. They should be taken from plays that the candidate knows well; they should have a clear justification for their interpretation of the character in the scene and in the play as a whole. Candidates should be prepared to work further on the speeches with a director during the audition. Candidates will be asked to sight read a section of script making their own creative mark on the speech without direction. They will also be asked to discuss two recent productions that they have seen that had an impact on them in some way.
Scholars are strongly encouraged to study Drama and Theatre Studies at A Level.
Short-listed candidates will be invited to an assessment day during which they will be asked to perform on two instruments/voice (or more, if appropriate). They will be required to play two contrasting pieces on their first study, and one on a second. The audition will also include a short sight-reading exercise, aural tests at a level appropriate to the candidate, a viva voce and a short interview. Candidates will need to submit a programme, together with copies of the music, by a specified deadline prior to audition. An accompanist will be available if required, and a rehearsal/ warm up scheduled directly beforehand. Candidates are also encouraged to provide a portfolio for the panel.
The minimum standard for consideration for a Music Scholarship is:
– At 1st Form Grade 3
– At 3rd Form Grade 5
– At Sixth Form Grade 7
Grades are not a prerequisite, but an indication of the level required. Music Scholars will normally be expected to study Music at GCSE and encouraged to continue to study at A Level.
Sport
—1st Form, 3rd Form and Sixth Form
All candidates should provide their sporting CV which summarises their performance record in each relevant sport. For example, this might be achievements at club level or above, or personal best performances in athletics and swimming. The CV should demonstrate how they meet our school community beliefs which are: to be courageous in doing what is right, respecting themselves and others, encouraging others to be themselves and be inclusive of all. Candidates should also provide references from their coach in their main sport or sports.
Candidates for 1st Form and 3rd Form entry will be invited to an assessment day. Girls will be assessed in hockey, netball, football, and cricket. Boys will be assessed in rugby, hockey, football and cricket. In addition, all candidates will be assessed in their choice of tennis, or swimming. We do not assess golf or athletics on an assessment day but are happy to accept references and video evidence for these sports.
Candidates for Sixth Form will be invited to attend a training session with our First Team in their main sport and for an interview. They will be assessed on their general level of fitness, their response to coaching, their leadership skills, and team spirit. They will be asked to provide video footage of match play and a reference from their main coach. Candidates should already be involved in an external sporting pathway, such as with a club, county, or regional representation in their principal sport.
The minimum standard for consideration for an award at 1st Form is outstanding participation in school/club teams which would be comparable with the profile of a county player. For applications for 3rd Form entry, candidates should be competing at county level or above in their principal sport. However, we recognise that many candidates may not have had the chance to follow the county route and in this case a reference from a current sports teacher or coach acknowledging their belief that this candidate would be comparable to county standard will be accepted.
Any Questions?
Our Heads of Departments are always happy to talk to prospective Scholars before an application is made. Please contact the admissions office to arrange this (admissions@lordwandsworth.org).
If you have any questions at all, or would just like to chat to one of the team about your child or your Scholarship application please:
ADMISSIONS@LORDWANDSWORTH.ORG
