16+ Scholarships A
Guide for Parents and Students
16+ Scholarship Guide: September 2026 Entry
St Helen’s School offers a comprehensive programme of Scholarships across a number of disciplines at 16+ for Sixth Form entry These are two year scholarships valid in Years 12 and 13, and must be applied for in Year 11.
It is very important to read this carefully if you are applying for a Scholarship for your daughter. Please pay particular attention to dates and deadlines as we are very fair and consistent in this process. Check the relevant section to ensure that your daughter possesses everything needed to apply in her chosen discipline
To become and to remain a St Helen’s Scholar requires a high level of commitment in school both within the curriculum and in co-curricular activities. As a school we make a commitment in return to enrich, to support, to nurture and to inspire. A comprehensive agreement is signed before a Scholarship is accepted. This ensures that all expectations are clear. Scholarships are subject to ongoing and regular review. A consistent level of commitment, achievement and ambition is warranted from all of our Scholars.
To be considered for a scholarship, you will need to select the appropriate scholarship on this form and submit all evidence/portfolios detailed below, no later than Friday 31 October 2025. st
If you have any questions at this stage, we encourage you to contact admissions@sthelens.london
Application:
Please indicate on this form if you would like to be considered for an Academic Scholarship.
Candidates will sit an exam which comprises of both multiple-choice questions testing high-level reasoning, problem-solving, analysis and comprehension skills, and an essay section to assess the student’s ability to construct and evaluative a cohesive argument It is intended to be challenging and will last for 1 hour 15 minutes. The Academic Scholarship exams will be held on Tuesday 4 November 2025. th
Candidates who are successful in the examination will be invited to a short interview with a senior member of teaching staff on Wednesday 26 or Thursday 27 November 2025. th th
The Advanced Maths Scholarship offers up to a 30% annual reduction in tuition fees and is awarded to students with exceptional mathematical ability and a genuine passion for problem-solving Applicants should be on track to achieve a Grade 9 in GCSE Maths and plan to study both Maths and Further Maths at A Level.
Scholars gain automatic access to a range of enriching masterclasses, including preparation for UKMT Maths Challenges, university entrance exams, and the prestigious Pink Sheet Programme for high-achieving mathematicians. Many also take on leadership roles delivering masterclasses to partner schools and mentoring younger students helping to foster a vibrant and collaborative mathematical community
Application:
Please indicate on this form if you would like to be considered for an Advanced Maths Scholarship.
Candidates will be required to sit the Advanced Maths Scholarship exam, which is a 75-minute exam including both multi-choice and long-answer questions It is intended to test problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and a mastery of GCSE content. As a rough guide, the style of questions is a hybrid between those found in Senior Maths Challenge or Olympiad competitions, along with questions similar to those found at the very end of higher GCSE exams. The exam will be held on Tuesday 4 November 2025 th
. If successful, applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the Head of the Centre for Advanced Maths on Wednesday 26 or Thursday 27 November 2025. th th
The Art Scholarship offers up to a maximum 30% reduction on tuition fees per annum and is awarded to students who are creatively driven, technically skilled, and passionate about visual expression Applicants should be committed to studying Art at A Level and demonstrate originality, independence, and a strong personal voice in their work.
Art Scholars play a key role in representing the department at Open Events and actively contribute to co-curricular art activities. They benefit from 1-2-1 portfolio support for A Level and applications to Foundation or Degree courses, as well as guidance on future pathways within creative industries. Scholars are also encouraged and supported with applications for external programmes that broaden their artistic practice and experience — helping them grow as both artists and leaders.
Application:
Please indicate on this form if you would like to be considered for an Art Scholarship.
The Art Scholarship will take the form of a 20-minute interview with the Head of Art and candidates will be required to bring a portfolio* of work with them to the interview
*A portfolio is a collection of your daughter’s work, which shows how her skills and ideas have developed over time The research and processes she has used to develop her work are as important as the final work itself. We are particularly interested in your daughter’s most recent work, even if unfinished. The portfolio might include drawings, paintings, sketchbooks, colour studies, materials investigation, design development (2D and 3D), construction, consumer and market information, written notes, design presentation sheets, and any other types of work she has chosen. If she has 3D pieces, these should be photographed and presented within the portfolio, and one or two physical examples could be brought to the interview
Application:
Please indicate on this form if you would like to be considered for a Drama Scholarship
To apply for the Drama Scholarship, your daughter should write a short letter of application outlining the reasons why she feels she would make an outstanding Drama Scholar. Letters should be sent to michelle.connell@sthelens.london using the email Subject format: “Year 12 Drama Scholarship – First name Surname”
If successful, your daughter will be invited to an assessment to deliver an audition or presentation and attend an interview with the Director of Drama.
The Language Scholarship offers up to a 30% annual reduction in tuition fees and is awarded to students with a proven track record of excellence in languages and a genuine passion for linguistic learning Applicants must commit to studying at least one language at A Level and demonstrate enthusiasm, curiosity, and a flair for communication across cultures.
Language Scholars serve as ambassadors for the Modern Foreign Languages department, representing the school at key events such as Into the Sixth and Open Days They also play an active role in supporting cocurricular language clubs and benefit from personalised guidance to help them explore future academic and career pathways in languages.
Application:
Please indicate on this form if you would like to be considered for a Languages Scholarship.
Your daughter will need to submit a letter, in English, explaining her interest in languages and why she feels she should be considered for the scholarship, to esther serrano@sthelens london using the email Subject format: “Year 12 Languages Scholarship – First name Surname”.
If successful, your daughter will be invited to attend an interview with the Head of Modern Foreign Languages. The interview will be conducted primarily in the target language and the level we would expect at the interview is equivalent to high GCSE standard
The Music Scholarship offers up to a maximum 30% reduction on tuition fees per annum. A number of Music Exhibitions (free tuition on one instrument) may also be awarded To apply for the Scholarship or Exhibition, your daughter should be of a minimum equivalent standard of Grade 7 on their first instrument.
Applicants are not required to study Music at A Level to be considered but evidence of a strong commitment to co-curricular music at school is essential Our Music Scholarship programme is designed to inspire and elevate exceptional musical talent. Award holders will enjoy a rich and rewarding experience that nurtures their growth and pushes their abilities to new heights Highlights include personalised guidance from the music department, access to music-related trips and events, leadership roles in extracurricular music groups and the opportunity to perform at our prestigious annual Award Holders’ Concert.
Application:
Please indicate on this form if you would like to be considered for a Music Scholarship
Your daughter should submit copies of relevant examination certificates together with a letter outlining her musical achievements and experience to date. These should be sent to catherine.handley@sthelens.london with the email subject: “Year 12 Music Scholarship – First name Surname.” If successful, your daughter will be invited to play two pieces on her first instrument (which can include voice) with the option of playing one piece on her second instrument (performance on a second instrument is not essential) The total performance time should be at least 5 minutes but not longer than 15 minutes. If your daughter requires piano accompaniment, please provide a copy of the music she will be playing as soon as possible by emailing a copy to the email address above She will also be given a sight-reading exercise and will be interviewed regarding her musical experience.
The Sport Scholarship offers up to a maximum 30% reduction on tuition fees per annum and recognises students with exceptional sporting talent and dedication While studying PE at A Level is not a requirement, applicants should demonstrate a sustained commitment to sport including regular participation in school teams and competition at club level or higher.
Sport Scholars act as ambassadors for Physical Education, inspiring others and supporting younger students in their sporting journeys. They benefit from exclusive access to elite sporting events, as well as personalised guidance to help them develop their skills and progress within their chosen disciplines.
Application:
Please indicate on this form if you would like to be considered for a Sports Scholarship.
Your daughter should submit a reference from the coach of the club/county they currently attend, and if possible a video of their specialist area to steve.holmes@sthelens.london using the email subject format: “Year 12 Performance Sports Scholarship – First name Surname”.
If successful, applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the Director of Sport.
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Scholarship applications must be submitted to the Admissions Department through this Form by no later than Friday 31 October 2025 Any supporting evidence must also be submitted to the relevant Heads of Department by this date.
For further details please contact the Admissions Department, on 01923 843230 or via email at admissions@sthelens.london.
