Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded for achievement and potential either in a specific field or in a combination of fields. Alternatively, candidates may wish to be considered for their all-round ability, which would take into account their academic achievement as well as their aptitude in any combination of other disciplines.

The assessments for 13+ scholarships take place at the College in the Lent Term prior to the academic year of entry, except for the Sports Assessment process which begins in the Autumn Term of Year 8. To be eligible for a 13+ scholarship, candidates must be under the age of 14 on 1 September of year of entry.

Sixth Form scholarship assessments take place in the November before the academic year of entry. To be eligible for a 16+ scholarship, candidates must be under the age of 17 on 1 September of year of entry.

Scholarships do not attract a reduction on fees. All fee reductions are determined by means testing, although priority is given to those who have won a scholarship. See our bursary policy for more information.

If you have any questions regarding scholarships, please contact our Admissions team.

• Stevens Academic Scholarship
• Dr Gray All Rounder Scholarship
• Art and Design Scholarship
• Drama Scholarship
• Music Scholarship
• Sports Scholarship

STEVENS ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

13+ CANDIDATES

Stevens Academic Scholarships are awarded to those who show academic ability and potential across a range of subjects, or for outstanding performance in a particular subject area.

ISEB Common Academic Scholarship Examinations for these Scholarships are held at the College over three days during the last week in February of the year of entry.

There will be a formal scholarship interview and candidates will be asked to write an application letter (min 300 words) on what academic scholarship means to them; what they would contribute to the academic life at Bradfield and how they have explored academia beyond the classroom.

Pupils will sit 60 or 90 minute papers in the following subjects:

The following subject papers are optional:

In addition to the written papers, all candidates will have short speaking assessments in Modern Languages. There will be a formal Scholarship interview.

16+ CANDIDATES

For those entering Bradfield in the Sixth Form, Academic Scholarship candidates are required to be predicted at least seven GCSEs at Grade 9.

In addition to the standard Sixth Form entrance exams candidates will sit a specialist paper in the academic subject of their choice. There will be a formal scholarship interview and candidates will be asked to write an application letter (min 300 words) on what academic scholarship means to them; what they would contribute to the academic life at Bradfield and how they have explored academia beyond the classroom.

DR GRAY ALL ROUNDER SCHOLARSHIP

13+ CANDIDATES

To be eligible for a Dr Gray All Rounder Scholarship, the College expects candidates either to be in the Scholarship Stream at preparatory school or achieve a minimum average mark of 65% at Common Entrance. Those candidates not taking Common Entrance are expected to reach a comparable standard.

Those wishing to be considered for their all-round ability will be assessed academically and will sit papers in Mathematics and English. They will also be assessed in at least two disciplines that they wish to be considered such as Art, Music, Drama or Sport. Those offering Music as part of an all-round assessment should play at least one instrument or sing at Grade III standard or higher and have experience playing or singing in ensembles.

Candidates also have an interview with the Second Master about their wider interests.

16+ CANDIDATES

To be eligible for an all-round award, the College expects Sixth Form candidates to be predicted a minimum of three GCSEs at Grade 9 and four Grade 8.

They will be assessed academically and will sit papers in Mathematics and English. In addition, candidates will be assessed in at least two disciplines that they wish to be considered in their application with practical exercises in Art, Music, Drama or Sport. We would expect candidates to offer a minimum of two of these disciplines to be considered for an all-rounder scholarship.

Candidates offering Music as part of an all-round assessment should play at least one instrument, or sing, at Grade III standard or higher and have experience playing or singing in ensembles at their previous school.

Candidates also have an interview with the Second Master about their wider interests.

ART & DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP

13+ AND 16 + CANDIDATES

The essential qualities looked for in prospective Art and Design candidates and their work are an evident enthusiasm for their subject, self-motivation, evidence of sensitivity, sound observational skills and a developed imagination.

Candidates will submit a digital portfolio of their work.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to Bradfield for the Assessment afternoon.

During the assessment:

• Art candidates will complete an observational drawing test.
• Design candidates will undertake a practical challenge. This will be an unseen task with a practical outcome of a problem solving nature.
• All candidates will discuss their work with the Director of Faculty and Heads of respective departments. This is an opportunity for candidates to promote the work they have done, whether in school or outside of lessons, and showcase their genuine interest in the subject.

DRAMA SCHOLARSHIP

13+ AND 16+ CANDIDATES

For those seeking a Drama Scholarship, the assessment will focus on their ability to express themselves both physically and verbally. Candidates should prepare and record a video of themselves performing two contrasting monologues from a published play(s).

Shortlisted Candidates will be invited to Bradfield for the Assessment afternoon in February where they will participate in a workshop session and be interviewed by a member of the Drama team about their choice of monologue, their wider theatrical interests, and any live productions they have seen recently.

MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP

13+ CANDIDATES

Assessments for 13+ Music Scholarships are taken during the Lent Term, usually the last week of January, prior to the academic year of entry. During this assessment, you will be required to:

• Offer two contrasting pieces of at least ABRSM Grade VI standard (or equivalent) in your principal study.
• Preferably, offer a second instrument.
• Play at sight.
• Aural tests of Grade V-VI standard (including sight singing).
• Attend interviews with the Director of Music and a senior member of staff.

16+ CANDIDATES

Assessments for 16+ Music Scholarship Examination happen in the November prior to the academic year of entry. During your assessment, you will be required to:

• Offer two contrasting pieces of at least ABRSM Grade VII standard (or equivalent) in your first instrument.
• Preferably, offer a second instrument.
• Play at sight.
• Aural tests at Grade VI–VII standard (including sight singing).
• Attend interviews with the Director of Music and a senior member of staff.

For more information on our expectations of music scholars and the benefits of being a Music Award recipient, please see our Music Scholarships page.

SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP

13+ CANDIDATES

Those applying for a Sports Scholarship should submit a sporting CV together with the scholarship application form by 15 October of Year 8. This should be supported by a reference from the Director of Sport/Head of PE at the candidate’s school. To think about applying for a sports scholarship, candidates should be:

• Highly committed individuals who have significantly contributed, over an extended period of time, to the sporting life of their primary/prep school;
• Somebody who regularly represents their school’s A/1st Team in their chosen sport(s);
• One of the very best performers in their year group in at least one, but ideally two (or more) activities. If a candidate is performing at an exceptionally high level in one activity (e.g. regional or international standard), then we would take into account the fact that this is likely to dominate their participation and may make it impossible for them to be performing at a high level in another activity/activities;
• An individual who other pupils look to as a role model in the sporting arena. They will have consistently approached training and fixtures with the highest levels of effort and application, will show significant potential with their leadership and communication skills, and they will have a willingness to take on feedback that helps them develop as a performer;
• Somebody who will be motivated to make the most of the College resources available to sport scholars.

Following receipt of application forms, selected candidates will be invited to the Round 1 Assessment Day in December. Candidates who impress will then be invited to the final assessment day in February. Candidates will be assessed in their two main sports, will undertake generic fitness and skills screening tests and will be interviewed by one of the sports coaches.

Scholarships may be offered to candidates who excel in one or more of the major sports played at Bradfield or to those who demonstrate achievement and promise in a wider sporting sense.

16+ CANDIDATES

Sixth Form Sports Scholarship applicants are assessed in the November prior to the year of entry, the week after the main Sixth Form Assessment Day.

On the Assessment Day candidates will be watched in competitive play, will be interviewed by the Director of Sport and one of the Heads of Sport and they will also participate in a short group task with some of the other candidates.

Scholarships may be offered to candidates who excel in one or more of the major sports played at Bradfield or to those who demonstrate achievement and promise in a wider sporting sense.