Fees & Bursaries

Scholarships are available for budding artists who show great potential within the field of art and design. This can take the form of outstanding abilities, evidence of a creative and inventive mind at work and an interest in the world of art around them. Applicants are required to write a personal statement outlining their interest in art and their aspirations for the future.

Requirements

• These awards are designed to reward those studying art in the Sixth Form who can demonstrate, through a portfolio and interview, the potential to be an outstanding student of art and who will be able to add value to the art department e.g. by offering a student-led club, assisting in lessons or setting up a new initiative etc.
• You will have an interview which will be based around your art portfolio and personal statement.
• You are requested to bring a portfolio of present art work with you. This can be GCSE work and/or anything that you have developed outside of school.
• Art scholars are expected to take a full and active role in the art department and will have opportunities to help run clubs and put together exhibitions of student artwork.

Drama and theatre scholarships are designed to reward those who can demonstrate notable success in, and an aptitude for, drama. Applicants are likely to have made a notable recent contribution to drama at their present school or in wider dramatic activities. The School is looking for future potential rather than purely current achievement. Applicants do not necessarily need to have studied GCSE drama (or the equivalent).

Requirements

• You will be invited to perform a short audition monologue of your choice and should be prepared to discuss your involvement in dramatic activities, including any plans for the future. Candidates applying via the production route will instead have the option of giving a short talk about their contribution to a production they have been involved in (from the technical perspective).
• Drama and theatre scholars are expected to play an active role in the dramatic life of the School.

Scholarship requirements

• Music scholars will be expected to make a lively and committed contribution to musical activities at The Perse Upper. Successful scholarship candidates will be expected to demonstrate themselves as hard-working, determined and collegial in their musical pursuits and will be expected to set an outstanding and inspiring example to other pupil musicians of all ages.
• It is hoped that Sixth Form candidates will offer at least two instruments, which may include singing either as a main or secondary component, although this is not essential. Candidates need to have achieved at least Grade 8 level or equivalent on at least one instrument.
• It is hoped that a music scholar will receive tuition on at least one of their instruments in school.
• Candidates do not have to study A level music in the Sixth Form to apply.

Guidance for internal candidates

Internal candidates will be invited to apply via the scholarship application form for a music scholarship audition. At the audition, candidates will be asked to perform at least one piece on their instrument(s), undertake short sight-reading and aural tests, and discuss their musical ambitions and interests with the Director of Music and a specialist in their first-study instrument. Accompaniment will be provided, where needed, by a member of the music department. The audition will last between 20-30 minutes.

Guidance for external candidates

External candidates are asked to record a video performance submission of their audition pieces as a first round audition by 1 November of the year preceding entry. Further guidance on the content of the video submission can be found below. The outcome of the first round will be confirmed soon after this submission deadline.

On the basis of the video submissions, a selection of candidates will be shortlisted for an in-person second round audition as part of the Sixth Form entrance test day. The second round audition will consist of sight-reading on the candidate’s main instrument and aural tests, followed by an informal discussion on the candidate’s musical ambitions and interests with the Director of Music. The audition will last between 10-15 minutes.

Video submission guidelines

• We recommend one piece (or two shorter pieces) per instrument. Where only one instrument is offered, two contrasting pieces will be accepted. The submission should last no longer than 15 minutes in total.
• The recording should be of good audio and video quality. Preferable video formats for the submission are MP4 or MOV. Audio-only submissions will not be accepted.
• The submission may be recorded in one take of the entire audition recital or multiple takes for each piece offered. We ask that multiple takes are collated into one edit if possible, although multiple files will be accepted.
• The candidate should be clearly visible. Performers using a stand should ensure it does not obscure a clear view of them. String, woodwind and brass players should ensure their face, bow (if applicable), and fingers/hands can be seen clearly. Pianists/organists should ensure that the full range of the keyboard and both hands are in frame. Singers should present themselves straight towards the camera.
• Where possible and applicable, live accompaniment should be used during the recording. If this is not possible, backing track accompaniment and/or unaccompanied performances (with substantial rests cut) will be accepted. Where accompaniment is used, we recommend a soundcheck to check that balance between candidate and accompaniment is correct.
• The submission should be uploaded to Dropbox/Google Drive/WeTransfer or similar and permissions set to enable us to open your file/s. Please label each file with your name and the instruments contained within that video. Email a link to your file/s, including details of your performed programme in the body of the email to music@perse.co.uk by the above deadline.

Sport scholarships are available exclusively for entry into the Sixth Form and are awarded to pupils who demonstrate exceptional sporting ability and show a proven track record of upholding the Perse sport values of Pride and Participation, Enjoyment; Resilience, Self-motivation and Sportsmanship, and Empathy and Engagement.

Applicants will be shortlisted for interview on the basis of their application, references and track record in sport so far. Please be aware this is a highly competitive process so it will not be possible for all applicants to be invited for interview.

They typical profile for students who are shortlisted is that they will be part of a recognised performance pathway in their chosen sport, such as the England Hockey Talent Academy or the Northampton Saints Foundation Phase. We do consider each applicant’s potential rather than exclusively what they have already achieved, recognising that recognition and selection for pathways can come at different stages of sporting development.

Applicants will be expected to provide evidence of seeking wider support for their development, for example through strength and conditioning programmes offered in school or by undertaking additional training sessions with coaches. Candidates are expected to present a clear plan for how Perse sport will continue to play a significant role in both their Sixth Form and representative sporting journey. All applications must be supported by two exemplary references, one from an internal sports coach at their current school and one from an external sports coach who knows them in an out-of-school setting.

External candidates applying for a sport which we do not play in school will need to submit video evidence of themselves taking part in this sport in a competitive environment.

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with the sports senior leadership team and will be expected to complete a short presentation on their selected sport. This may take place on the Sixth Form assessment day or shortly thereafter.

Requirements

• Complete the sports scholarship section on the registration form and submit supporting evidence by the registration deadline of 1 November, and be prepared to undertake an interview and short presentation if shortlisted.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of all Perse school sport values and act as positive ambassadors for Perse sport, both on and off the field.
• Make a positive contribution to school sport as role models to others, setting high standards of commitment and conduct.
• Represent the school in fixtures and tournaments where required, particularly if their sport is one of the school’s focus sports.
• Show continued engagement with their sport, balancing performance goals with their academic and personal development.