Scholarships and Bursaries
Scholarships
are awarded in
recognition of
evidenced talent.
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Explanation of Terms
Scholarships
Bursaries
Award: a general term used for
scholarships and bursaries.
Scholarships are awarded
in recognition of evidenced
talent. They exist to recognise
distinctive academic ability or
special talent in art or design,
music, languages or sport. All
scholarships are won in open
competition and are awarded
solely on merit.
Financial help towards the
payment of fees in cases of
proven need is avail able in
some instances. This assistance
is available in the form of
bursaries which vary in size
according to circumstance.
Bursaries are not dependant
on scholastic merit but are
awarded to pupils who are
likely to gain most from an
Oswestry education and will
contribute fully to the life of the
school. The pupils in question
must satisfy the school’s entry
requirements and continue
to work to capacity as they
progress through the school.
Parents who feel that they
may need the support of a
bursary are encouraged to
discuss the matter with the
Scholarship: is awarded on an
assessment of the pupil’s merit,
without reference to parental
financial circumstances, worth
a maximum value up to 50% of
the school fees.
Bursary*: a reduction in fees
based on an assessment of
the merit of a pupil and the
financial circumstances of the
family. This is a means-tested
award and may be awarded in
addition to a scholarship or in
its own right up to a maximum
value of 70% of the annual
school fee, except for the Fully
Funded Day Place which is a
bursary of 100%.
Scholarship applications are
limited to a maximum of two
different scholarship types,
as well as an all-rounder
application. Scholarships
are open to all current pupils
excepting those who already
benefit from a scholarship.
Scholarships may be
underpinned by bursary
assistance.
school well in advance of
the child’s due date of entry.
Judgements are dependent on
a supporting reference from
a candidate’s previous school
(where applicable), an informal
interview and on scrutiny
of the family’s financial
circumstances.
* in accordance with the Charities
Commission guidelines, bursaries are
awarded following the completion of
a confidential statement of financial
circumstances and the assessment of a
candidates performance.
Summary of Awards Available:
Academic
Sport
Art/Design
Music
Language All-rounder
Scholarship Scholarship Scholarship Scholarship Scholarship Scholarship
max %
50
50
50
50
50
50
Additional Fully funded Boarding
Bursary
Bursary
Scholarship
70
100
30
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
7+
11+
✓
✓
✓
✓
13+
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
16+
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
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General Information
There are four major points
of entry into the school for
potential scholars:
7+ scholarships for entry
into Year 3
11+ scholarships for entry
into Year 7 (named Form 1
at Oswestry)
13+ scholarships for entry
into Year 9 (Form 3)
16+ scholarships for entry
into Year 12 (Lower Sixth)
For each age-group, the
scholarship process normally
requires pupils spending half
a day at the school being
assessed. Parents often ask for
examples of past scholarship
papers, but our policy at
Oswestry is not to issue these.
We are looking for natural
talent and an ability to react
to the unfamiliar, not for
well-coached automatons. For
this reason, not only do we
not issue past papers, we also
regularly change our modes of
assessment.
The scholarship process for
entry into the school takes
place on the first Saturday in
March in the year of proposed
entrance, with practical
assessments in the week
preceding – further details
will be sent to registered
prospective applicants nearer
the time.
Candidates who are not already
registered for entry to Oswestry
School will be requested to
do so at a cost of £50 prior to
embarking on the Scholarship
process. The closing date
for applications is eight
days before the scholarship
assessment day.
It is possible, for candidates
who live overseas, to sit the
academic papers abroad,
providing the school is
satisfied that suitable
arrangements for the conduct
of the examination(s) and the
security of the scripts are made.
Please contact the Registrar,
Mrs Hicklin, for further details.
Oswestry School reserves
the right to vary published
details should unforeseen
circumstance require it.
Academic Scholarships
Academic excellence is at the
school’s heart and so to this
end we recognise outstanding
pupils with academic
scholarship awards.
An academic scholar is
expected to work at a standard
that will lead to the highest
grades at GCSE and equivalent
success at A-level.
Latin. We welcome candidates
with a lively general knowledge,
which we regard as a useful
indicator of scholarship
potential.
Scholarships worth up to
50% of the school fees will
be awarded on the strength
of the candidate’s overall
performance.
16+ entry
Candidates applying for a
scholarship for Sixth Form
entry will be required to take
examinations in two subjects
of their choice. At least one
of these papers should be in
a subject that the candidate
intends to study in the Sixth
Form. Candidates will also sit
short mathematics and English
tests. The school will require
a good reference and report
from the candidate’s current
school, and candidates will be
predicted the highest grades at
GCSE.
Assessment arrangements
All candidates will also have
a short interview with the
Headmaster or another senior
member of staff and require a
good reference and report from
the candidate’s current school.
11+ entry
Candidates will sit two
scholarship papers – one
English and one Mathematics
paper - as well as a verbal and
non-verbal reasoning tests. We
welcome candidates with a
lively general knowledge, which
we regard as a useful indicator
of scholarship potential.
13+ entry
Candidates will sit compulsory
written papers in English,
Mathematics and Science.
Candidates may then choose
their fourth paper from any
of the following: Geography,
History, Religious Studies, or
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Art/Design
Scholarships
Art/Design scholarships are
awarded to talented artists
who have a passion and love
of the subject and are able to
talk thoughtfully about their
work and work of other artists.
Art/Design scholarships are
available for 11+, 13+ and 16+
entry. 11+ or 13+ entrants are
required to take Art and/or
Design up to GCSE level, and
would be expected to continue
with it as a subject at Sixth
Form level. 16+ entrants are
required to take Art and/or
Design at A-Level.
Art/Design scholarships worth
up to 50% of the school fees
will be awarded on the strength
of the candidate’s overall
performance across the range
of assessments.
Assessment arrangements
All candidates will also have
a short interview with the
Headmaster or another senior
member of staff and require a
good reference and report from
the candidate’s current school.
The assessment will require
each candidate to attend an
informal interview and produce
the following:
1. A portfolio of up to eight
items of work. Quality is more
important than quantity and
the aim is to show a variety of
work which best demonstrates
the candidate’s skills and
ability. Candidates may include
three dimensional work or
photographs of the work if the
piece is fragile. Candidates
must be prepared to talk with
the Head of Art/Design about
their work and interests in art
and/or design.
2. A finished piece of work
based upon a topic. Candidates
are asked to produce a finished
piece of work in time for the
interview based upon the
starting point of choosing
of the Head of Art/Design.
Candidates may work in any
medium or combination of
media considered suitable for
their work. They must include
in their portfolio all supporting
research and preparatory
studies relevant to the
development of their ideas.
3. Drawing from observation.
Candidates will be asked to
produce an observational
drawing on the day of the
examination. If they have their
own favourite coloured pencils
or drawing medium, they
should bring them along to the
art studio. The school will also
supply a range of pencils, pens
and crayons. The observational
drawing and work in the
candidate’s’ portfolio will be
assessed by the Head of Art/
Design.
If candidates are working on
GCSE work at present this
may be something they have
already produced for their
portfolio. They should include
in their portfolio all supporting
research and preparatory
studies relevant to the
development of their ideas. If
candidates are not doing GCSE
Art/Design but wish to take up
the subject in the Sixth Form
this is not an obstacle as we
welcome any pupil who shows
talent, potential and passion
and dedication to the subject.
The assessment for all Art/
Design awards will last
approximately 1 hour.
Languages Scholarships
Oswestry School is an
international school with an
appreciation of other nations’
cultures and languages at
the school’s heart and to this
end we recognise outstanding
pupils with language
scholarship awards.
13+ entrants are required to
take two languages (from
French, Latin, or Spanish) up
to GCSE level, and would be
expected to continue with one
language as a subject at Sixth
Form level. 16+ entrants are
required to take at least one
of French, Latin or Spanish at
A-Level.
good reference and report from
the candidate’s current school.
A languages scholar is expected
to work in their chosen
language(s) at a standard that
will lead to the highest grades
at GCSE. Please note that
candidates cannot apply for the
language scholarship in their
first language.
Candidates will sit
compulsory written papers
in two languages: French,
Latin, Spanish, or other by
arrangement with the Head
of Languages. Candidates will
have an interview with the Head
of Languages or another senior
member of the Languages
Department, in which
language ability, speaking
and/or comprehension, will be
explored. If French or Spanish is
offered, a part of this interview
will be in the target language.
Scholarships worth up to
50% of the school fees will
be awarded on the strength
of the candidate’s overall
performance.
Assessment arrangements
Candidates will have a short
interview with the Headmaster
or another senior member of
staff. The school will require a
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Assessment arrangements
Sport Scholarships
1. Candidates should prepare
two contrasting pieces on their
main instrument. A second
study can be offered by the
candidate should they so wish.
The school has a long standing
and established reputation
for sporting prowess. Sports
scholarships are awarded
to reflect candidates’ talent
and potential in the school’s
main sports, based on proven
outstanding ability, with
particular preference to ability
in: athletics, cricket (boys),
football (boys), hockey, netball
(girls), rugby (boys), rounders
(girls), swimming and tennis.
They may be considered for
an award based on proven
outstanding ability in other
sports and the potential to
contribute significantly to
the school’s main sporting
programme.
2. Accompaniments should be
provided upon arrival for the
interview.
Music Scholarships
3. If a candidate has composed
a piece, he or she may bring a
recording, score or perform it.
All candidates for a music
scholarship will be expected
to have a satisfactory level
of academic ability and a
satisfactory reference and
school report. In addition to
this there will be a practical
assessment. 11+ or 13+ entrants
are required to take Music
up to GCSE level. All Music
scholars are expected to make
a significant contribution to
the broad musical life of the
school, including continued
instrumental learning,
supporting rehearsals as
reasonably requested by
the Director of Music, and
performing in the school’s
musical events.
4. Voice can be offered as main
instrument or second study.
If voice is offered as a main
instrument, a short hymn
or song should be sung from
memory. The candidate should
provide an accompaniment
upon arrival for the interview.
Music scholarships worth up
to 50% of the school fees will
be awarded on the strength
of the candidate’s overall
performance across the range
of assessments.
All candidates will also have
a short interview with the
Headmaster or another senior
member of staff and require a
good reference and report from
the candidate’s current school.
5. Candidates will be asked to
perform aural tests including
clapping rhythms and singing
back short melodies.
6. Candidates will have an
interview with the Director of
Music to discuss their musical
experiences to date and
their musical ambitions and
interests.
11+ or 13+ sports scholars are
expected to take PE up to GCSE
level. In order to retain their
award, sport scholars must
demonstrate commitment and
application to school sport, both
curricular and extracurricular.
There is an extensive Saturday
fixture programme, to which
sport scholars are required to
contribute.
Sport scholarships worth up
to 50% of the school fees will
be awarded on the strength
of the candidate’s overall
performance across the range
of assessments.
Assessment arrangements
1. Candidates must bring to the
assessment a full sporting CV
detailing their achievements
to date.
2. Candidates will be involved
in an interview with members
of the PE department, they will
undertake fitness testing and
complete a multi-sport based
practical. For all candidates
this will include swimming
as well as an indoor skills
circuit. Candidates must bring
indoor shoes, normal sports kit,
swimwear and a towel.
All candidates will also have
a short interview with the
Headmaster or another senior
member of staff and require a
good reference and report from
the candidate’s current school.
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All-rounder
Scholarships
All-rounder scholarships are
awarded to talented pupils who
have will make a contribution
to Oswestry School life in many
areas.
All-rounder scholarships worth
up to 50% of the school fees
will be awarded on the strength
of the candidate’s overall
performance across the range
of assessments.
Assessment arrangements
7+ entry
Candidates will sit short tests details to follow. All candidates
will also have a short interview
with the Head of Preparatory
Department and require a good
reference and report from the
candidate’s current school.
Candidates will also take part
in a ‘taster day’ in the week
preceding the scholarship day,
during which time ability and
engagement will be observed.
11+ or 13+ entry
Assessment will be based
upon the performance in two
chosen scholarship areas and
submission of a CV or portfolio
(limited to double-side of
A4). All candidates will, as
part of one of the scholarship
assessments, also have a short
interview with the Headmaster
or another senior member
of staff and require a good
reference and report from the
candidate’s current school.
Boarding Scholarships
Being a boarder brings a special
quality to a young person’s
education. Being part of a
community that is home-fromhome makes boarding the
defining feature of their time
at Oswestry School for many
pupils and the opportunities
and challenges which are there
for them provide an incredible
environment in which to grow
up.
With this in mind, and with
boarding providing such an
important element of our
school, we offer boarding
awards to pupils who are
considered good all-rounders
and whose contribution to the
school community will prove
enriching and significant.
These awards, in the form of
a scholarship, may be made
up to the value of 30% of the
annual boarding fee. The
successful candidate will take
up a full boarding place in
the school and is expected to
provide a significant all-round
contribution to the school. All
candidates will have a short
interview with the Headmaster
or another senior member
of staff and require a good
reference and report from the
candidate’s current school.
Fully-funded Bursaries
The school offers two fully
funded places (100% award)
for day pupils of high academic
ability wishing for 11+ or 16+
entry to Oswestry School.
Candidates follow the same
procedure as candidates for an
academic scholarship. These
awards are means tested and
are available to families whose
combined gross income does
not exceed one and a half times
the national annual average
salary (currently c.£40k). To
be eligible for an award, the
family and child must reside
within reasonable daily travel
distance to the school and
provide evidence in support of
this. This award includes the
payment of the day school fee,
any general charges and exam
fees. It excludes the cost of the
school uniform and optional
extras such as stationery,
insurance, school trips etc. In
applying for a fully funded day
place parents must complete
a statement of financial
circumstances. Two places (one
boy and one girl) are available
each year for 11+ and 16+ entry.
Further points to note
All awards are conditional upon
the receipt of a satisfactory
reference from a candidate’s
previous school. Tenure of any
award depends on continued
satisfactory progress, as
evidenced in a satisfactory
annual Lent term review.
Scholars are expected to play
a full and active part in the
extra-curricular life of the
school, particularly in the
areas in which their Award
recognised a special talent.
Awards are normally made
in the full expectation that a
candidate subject to an Award
will complete his/her education
at Oswestry School, remaining
at the school until his/her Sixth
Form studies are complete.
T. J. Jefferis Deputy Head
(Academic)
[email protected]
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For further enquiries please contact:
Mrs S. Hicklin Registrar
Oswestry School,
Upper Brook Street Oswestry SY11 2TL
Telephone: 01691 655711
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oswestryschool.org.uk