Year 7 and Year 9
Academic scholarships
Academic scholarships will be awarded on the basis of performance in the Year 7 and Year 9 entrance tests held in January each year. The school makes awards only if candidates of sufficient merit apply and will withdraw an award in extreme circumstances if a candidate subsequently fails to justify it.
Music scholarships
Potential Music scholars will be expected to pass the entrance test and to satisfy the other requirements of Year 7 and Year 9 entrants (e.g. a satisfactory reference from your current school).
They will also be given music auditions in January, by arrangement with the Director of Music (who will be happy to meet parents and candidates informally beforehand). The audition will be on a candidate's main instrument (and a second instrument if they have one). Singing may be offered, either as a main or secondary component. There will also be a sight-reading exercise and an aural test.
Year 7 candidates will probably have Grade 5 or higher on at least one instrument and Year 9 candidates will have reached at least Grade 6. The school is, however, looking for future potential rather than current achievement and will take previous musical opportunities (or lack of them) into account when assessing a candidate, so those with fewer or no formal qualifications should not feel automatically excluded.
Music scholars will be expected to join in as many of the school's musical activities as possible long-term – including those which take place on Saturdays. It is our normal expectation that they will learn at least one instrument in school rather than outside. Parents are asked to discuss any potential clashes with musical commitments outside school, and any concerns about instrumental teaching requirements, with the Director of Music in advance of the scholarship auditions.