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Scholarships
Reed’s offers a range of scholarships which are designed to attract those pupils who show the potential to benefit from the academic education offered by the School, its ethos and opportunities, and who will contribute to the active life of our School community.
Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ or Sixth Form entry. The awards are made on the basis of assessments held in the year before entry. Internal Scholarships can also be awarded at a later date to pupils who have displayed outstanding ability since joining the school.
11+ Scholarships
The scholarships that can be awarded at 11+ are: Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport.
The closing date for Scholarship Applications for 11+ entry in 2025 is Thursday 17th October 2024 (other than for Academic Scholarships as set out below). A Scholarship Form will be emailed following registration.
Academic
There is no need to apply for an Academic Scholarship. Candidates who perform outstandingly well in the academic entry tests will be invited back for a scholarship interview. These awards will be given based on performance in the entry tests, school report and scholarship interview. There is no form to complete.
Art
The Art Scholarship Assessment will take place on Tuesday 19th November 2024. Candidates will participate in a drawing class and have an interview with the Head of Art to discuss their portfolio and their interest in Art.
The drawing class involves the candidates drawing a still-life piece, exploring texture, colour and proportion.
The portfolio should contain pieces completed both in school and at home and include final pieces and sketchbooks. The work can be in any media but is expected to include some drawing, tonal and line work. Any 3-D pieces can be photographed.
Candidates will be expected to take Art at GCSE and A Level.
Drama
The Drama Scholarship Assessment will take place on Tuesday 19th November 2024. Candidates for a Drama Scholarship will be required to send in a recording of a short monologue, from a play of their own choice (no excerpts from novels or poetry) at least a week in advance to the Director of Drama. They will then be invited to participate in a practical workshop and be interviewed by the Director of Drama.
There is the expectation that the candidate is already participating in Drama or other Arts activities outside of regular school lessons. Candidates will be expected to take Drama at GCSE and A Level and be actively involved in the Drama co-curricular programme.
Music
The Music Scholarship Assessment will take place on Tuesday 19th November 2024.
Candidates at 11+ should offer a first instrument (or voice) at Grade 3 standard or above. They will present one piece on their main instrument and, if offering a second instrument/voice, one additional prepared piece. Aural tests and a vocal exercise will also form part of the audition. An accompanist will be provided.
Sport
For 11+ entry, we are looking at athletic ability, potential for development and enthusiasm for sport. Candidates should be representing their school and club at A team level in at least one of our major team sports. The School’s major team sports are cricket, hockey and rugby. Candidates will choose one of these sports for the sports scholarship assessment and all applicants will be invited to a specific assessment in the weeks commencing Monday 11th & 18th November 2024.
The sports scholarship assessment will begin with a variety of activities, which will ascertain ability across a number of areas, namely: game and spatial awareness, speed, agility, endurance, hand-eye coordination and psychological attributes such as leadership and teamwork. The second part will be focused on assessing ability in their chosen sport.
It is also possible to apply for an Academy Scholarship in golf, ski racing, swimming or tennis. This will allow candidates to showcase their specific ability in our Academy Sports, that we are aware often have different training requirements and commitments. In their time at the school, Academy Scholars will also be encouraged to contribute to our main school sports programme, which will be considered as part of their application.
Heads of Sport will be present throughout the process and supported by sports specialist coaching staff, who will be happy to talk through applicants’ aspirations, their level of current commitment and to discuss what is involved in becoming a Reed's Sports Scholar.
Candidates can apply for a Sports Scholarship and/or an Academy Scholarship but will only be awarded one.
Parents will be notified of the outcome of the scholarship assessments, along with the results of the entrance assessments in early February 2025.
Headmaster's Award
Headmaster's Awards can be awarded to any candidate who has been examined in a minimum of two scholarship categories and who has performed exceptionally well in both, but not quite up to scholarship standard in either.
Please note that candidates cannot apply for the Headmaster’s Award.
13+ Scholarships
The scholarships that can be awarded at 13+ are: Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport.
Scholarship assessments are held in the Spring Term of Year 8. A Scholarship Form will be emailed in the Autumn Term of Year 8 to all those who have accepted a place following the pre-test in Year 6.
The closing date for all Scholarship applications for 13+ entry in 2025 is Friday 24th January 2025. All Scholarship assessments (other than Academic) will be held on Tuesday 4th March 2025.
Academic
There are two possible ways a candidate can be offered an Academic Award:
1. Candidates may be awarded an Academic Scholarship following the pre-test in Year 6. Candidates who perform outstandingly well in the academic entry tests will be invited back for a scholarship interview. These awards will be given based on performance in the entry tests, school report and scholarship interview.
2. Candidates may also be awarded an Academic Scholarship when they are in Year 8. Candidates who attend a school which follows the ISEB syllabus and who wish to apply for an Academic Scholarship sit the Common Academic Scholarship Exams set by the ISEB in May of Year 8. Candidates who attend a school which does not follow the ISEB syllabus and who wish to apply for an Academic Scholarship sit Reed’s own scholarship papers in English, Mathematics and Science in May of Year 8. Candidates may also choose to sit up to two of the following papers: Latin, Geography, History or a Modern Foreign Language. All candidates will also have a scholarship interview with the Head of Scholars.
Art
Candidates will participate in a drawing class and have an interview with the Head of Art to discuss their portfolio and their interest in Art. The portfolio should contain pieces completed both in school and at home and include final pieces and sketchbooks. The work can be in any media but is expected to include some drawing, tonal and line work. Any 3-D pieces can be photographed. The drawing class involves the candidates drawing a still-life piece, exploring texture, colour and proportion. Candidates will be expected to take Art at GCSE and A Level.
Drama
Candidates for a Drama Scholarship will be required to send in a recording of a short monologue, from a play of their own choice (no excerpts from novels or poetry) at least a week in advance to the Director of Drama. They will then be invited to participate in a practical workshop and be interviewed by the Director of Drama.
There is the expectation that the candidate is already participating in Drama or other Arts activities outside of regular school lessons. Candidates will be expected to take Drama at GCSE and A Level and be actively involved the Drama co-curricular programme.
Music
Music Scholarship candidates at 13+ should offer a first instrument (or voice) of Grade 5 standard or above.
Candidates should present two pieces on their main instrument and one on each additional instrument offered. Instrumental candidates may also wish to present a song.
Aural tests and vocal exercises will also form part of the audition. An accompanist will be provided although candidates occasionally bring their own.
Sport
Successful candidates will need to show the potential to play at county or national level.
The School’s major team sports are cricket, hockey and rugby. Candidates will choose one of these sports for the sports scholarship assessment. The sports scholarship assessment will begin with a variety of activities, which will ascertain ability across a number of areas, namely: game and spatial awareness, speed, agility, endurance, hand-eye coordination and psychological attributes such as leadership and teamwork. The second part will be focused on assessing ability in their chosen sport.
It is also possible to apply for an Academy Scholarship in golf, ski racing, swimming or tennis. This will allow candidates to showcase their specific ability in our Academy Sports, that we are aware often have different training requirements and commitments. In their time at the school, Academy Scholars will also be encouraged to contribute to our main school sports programme, which will be considered as part of their application.
Heads of Sport will be present throughout the process and supported by sports specialist coaching staff, who will be happy to talk through applicants’ aspirations, their level of current commitment and to discuss what is involved in becoming a Reed's Sports Scholar.
Candidates can apply for a Sports Scholarship and/or an Academy Scholarship but will only be awarded one.
Headmaster's Award
Headmaster's Awards can be awarded to any candidate who has been examined in a minimum of two scholarship categories and who has performed exceptionally well in both, but not quite up to scholarship standard in either.
Please note that candidates cannot apply for the Headmaster’s Award.
Sixth Form Scholarships
Scholarships available at Sixth Form are: Academic, Art, Music, Drama, and Sport.
The closing date for Scholarship applications for Sixth Form entry in 2025 is Friday 4th October 2024 (other than for Academic Scholarships as set out below).
Art and Drama Scholarship assessments will take place on the same day as the entrance Exams on Friday 8th November 2024.
Music Scholarships will take place week commencing 11th November 2024.
Assessments for a Sport Scholarship will be held on the school site on Monday 11th November 2024.
Following the closing date the Admissions Office will contact all those who have applied for Scholarships to confirm the arrangements.
If candidates are applying for an Art or Drama Scholarship, they will need to select Art or Drama as one of their chosen subjects in the Entry Tests.
Academic
There is no need to apply for an Academic Scholarship. Candidates who perform outstandingly well in the Reed's Entry Examinations will be invited back for an Academic Scholarship interview, after which awards will be made. There is no form to complete.
Art
Candidates should be Candidates should be of a grade 8 or 9 standard at GCSE and are expected to take Art at A Level. They must submit a portfolio of their work, participate in a drawing class and will be interviewed by the Head of Art. The portfolio should include finished artwork and sketchbooks. This could be part of a GCSE course or other work completed independently.
Music
Music Scholarship candidates at 16+ should offer a first instrument (or voice) of Grade 6 standard or above.
Auditions will be held with the Director of Music - candidates should present two pieces on their main instrument and one on each additional instrument offered. Instrumental candidates may also wish to present a song. Aural tests and vocal exercises will also form part of the audition. An accompanist will be provided.
Drama
Candidates should be of a grade 8 or 9 standard at GCSE and are expected to take Drama at A Level and participate proactively the Drama co-curriculum programme. They will be required to send in a recording of a short monologue, from a play of their own choice (no excerpts from novels or poetry), at least a week in advance to the Director of Drama. On the Sixth Form Entry Day, they will complete a written paper about the devising process and be interviewed by the Head of Drama.
Sport
Candidates should be at least county standard. An assessment will be made by the Director of Sport and, wherever possible, he will arrange for candidates to be seen playing sport in their own school or club matches.
Headmaster’s Award
Headmaster’s Awards may be awarded to any candidate who has been examined in a minimum of two categories (for example Academic and Sport) and who has performed very well in both, but who is not quite up to Scholarship standard in either.
Please note that candidates cannot apply for the Headmaster’s Award.
