Scholarships & Bursaries
A number of academic and arts scholarships are granted at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form on the basis of a competitive examination. These scholarships are also open to those already in the school.
Bursaries may be available in cases of financial hardship as a result of a change in circumstances. They are only available to existing pupils. Details of a family’s financial circumstances will be requested before any award is made. Bursary funds are extremely limited.
Academic Scholarships
Academic Scholarships are awarded at the main points of entry to the School. They recognise the ability of pupils who will be academic high achievers and who will contribute to the School’s high academic standards.
Three Upper Fourth (Year 9) and three Third Form (Year 7) scholarships be to a maximum of 25% of the fees, are available annually at test day. Candidates, who must be recommended by their current head, take a written examination at Sidcot and all candidates will be invited to Sidcot for interview. The aim is to recognise potential and ability as much as existing achievement. All scholarship candidates are treated equally, whether they are current Sidcot pupils or currently at another School.
The scholarship examination consists of a compulsory paper including elements of Mathematics, English, French (Upper Fourth only), General (History, Geography, Religious Studies) and Science. One essay paper is set, as is a general knowledge paper. Candidates sit separate papers in English and Maths for benchmarking purposes. These papers are usually sat on our Test Day in late January, although it is sometimes possible to make alternative arrangements for this.
Scholarships awarded are tenable to GCSE level. These may be renewed by a Sixth Form scholarship (see below), but this is not guaranteed.
Sixth Form Scholarships
A maximum of three scholarships per year, usually amounting to 20% of fees, are awarded to outstanding scholars planning to study a minimum of three A levels within the school whether joining Sidcot from another school or already enrolled here. These are awarded on the basis of a student’s GCSE grades and, if applicable, a recommendation from his or her present school.
Because Sidcot is a Quaker School, and does not focus solely on academic achievement, a range of other scholarships is available.
Music Scholarships
Music scholarships are awarded to those who will bring distinction and commitment to the music at Sidcot. This can be by demonstrating excellence in one area or an outstanding and continuing all-round contribution to the musical life of the school, including regular participation in formal and informal concerts and representing the School at external events. Candidates will be expected to have reached a very high standard on two individual instruments. Annual auditions are held in February each year.
Music scholarships are available to those entering the Sixth Form for AS and A Level study or to those entering the Fifth Form for specialist music study at GCSE. These scholarships are tenable for two years in the first instance. Exceptionally, a music scholarship may be awarded to a child as early as Year 7 if exceptional promise or talent is shown, although the award at this level will not exceed 20% of fees. Awards at GCSE or Sixth Form level may be as high as 40% for exceptional pupils.
Art Scholarships
Scholarships are occasionally offered for outstanding art students. Awards will be made on the basis of the student’s portfolio of work, which may include drawings, paintings, photographic work and photographs of sculpture and ceramics. Art scholarships are available to AS/A Level art students only and are tenable for up to two years.
Scholarships will be advertised externally and internally, usually during the Winter Term. Portfolios should be submitted to the Head.
Equestrian/Sports Scholarships
Equestrian or sports scholarships may be awarded to pupils of exceptional promise. A demonstrated commitment to the activity outside timetabled hours would be expected, for example, a successful equestrian scholar would be expected to participate in the life of the Equestrian Centre and to represent the School at external events.
Scholarships will be advertised externally and internally, usually during the Winter Term.
General
We expect that all holders of scholarships will make a positive contribution to the life of the school and in particular in their chosen field. Scholarships which are awarded on merit are usually tenable for a set period, but are reviewable annually and may, in exceptional circumstances, be withdrawn, resulting in full fees becoming payable.
In line with guidance from the Charities Commission, we reserve the right to request details of a family’s financial circumstance before finalising any awards and will usually do so for any award exceeding 25%.
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