Scholarships

All applicants for Years 7 and 9 are considered for an academic scholarship on the basis of their performance in the entrance examinations at 11+ and 13+.

Therefore, as applicants are automatically considered there is no requirement to complete a separate academic scholarship form. Academic scholarships will be awarded through to the completion of GCSE in Year 11.

A small number of Sixth Form scholarships are available for new pupils entering Year 12.  Internal Sixth Form academic scholarships are awarded by the school based on achievement at GCSE.

Essential requirements for applicants

An Art Scholarship entitles the recipient to a percentage reduction in school fees for the period of tenure.  The Art Scholarship is valid throughout the period of tenure provided that:

• the recipient makes constructive use of their art skills and contributes actively to the School
• the recipient takes an active role in events organised by the Art Department
• the recipient would be expected to study Art at GCSE and A level
• the recipient’s parents adhere to all normal terms in relation to fees being met as usual

The Art and Design Department at Royal Russell is housed in newly refurbished studios and rooms in the centre of the School. All pupils in Years 7 to 9 study Art as part of the curriculum; we offer Fine Art and Photography courses at A level and have a strong history of successfully placing candidates at Art School.

Art Scholarships are awarded in Year 7, 9 and 12 and are reviewed annually.

How do I apply?

Candidates applying for an Art Scholarship at Year 7 and 9 will clearly display a particular aptitude for the subject and will have been involved in Art, Design and Photographic activities through school, clubs and work produced at home.

A portfolio of work will need to be submitted with the application form which will comprise of a series of pieces of the candidate’s own work.  There is no prescribed format or specific requirement regarding content, however the suggested number of pieces is between 10 and 20 from which the Head of Art will consider their skills and potential.  3D work should be photographed.

Selected candidates will be invited to attend a practical assessment to assess their skill set.  The assessment will not require any prior experience or preparation.

Successful candidates will receive a scholarship offer conditional upon their performance in the academic entrance exam.

Sixth Form Application

Candidates should complete an application form and submit to Admissions and will then be requested to attend an interview with the Head of Art and should bring a portfolio of work from which the Head of Art will consider their skills and potential.

Candidates will also need to be prepared to discuss the work of a leading artist of their choice.  The final award of an Art Scholarship will be conditional upon GCSE results and will be confirmed in August.

We recognise that children develop at different rates and unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged to reapply when appropriate.

For further assistance, please contact admissions@royalrussell.co.uk.

Next steps in application

Essential requirements for applicants

A Drama Scholarship is awarded to students showing strong ability and potential in drama.

Pupils holding Drama Scholarships will be encouraged to maintain their commitment to drama throughout their time in the school and we offer a programme of annual reviews with the Director of Drama to reflect on participation and progress in the past year and to set challenges for the year ahead.

A Drama Scholarship entitles the recipient to a percentage reduction in school fees for the period of tenure.

Who can apply and how long does a Drama Scholarship last?

Typically, a candidate will be actively involved in external drama clubs and organisations and will have had many performance opportunities.

Drama Scholarships are available for pupils starting Year 7, 9 and 12 and are reviewed annually. The Drama Scholarship is valid throughout the candidate’s school career provided that:

• the recipient makes constructive use of their drama skills and contributes actively to the school and the department
• the recipient takes an active role in events and productions organised by the drama department
• normally the recipient is expected to study Drama at GCSE and A level
• the recipient’s parents adhere to all normal terms in relation to fees being met as usual

How do I apply?

Candidates will be required to attend a set half-day group audition run by the Director of Drama who will consider their skills and potential.

• Candidates will be asked about their involvement in drama, both at school and with external organisations
• Certificates, awards and achievements should be brought to the audition
• Candidates will also be asked to perform an individual prepared piece.  The prepared piece should be a speech from a play which has been learnt by heart and which should take between two and three minutes to perform

All applications require supporting documentary evidence including letters from the candidate’s current school and external organisation.

Attendance at audition will not guarantee a successful application. We recognise, however, that children develop at different rates and unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged to reapply when appropriate.

For further assistance, please contact admissions@royalrussell.co.uk.

Next steps in application

Essential requirements for applicants

By the time of their initial audition, our normal expectations for candidates for a Music Scholarship will be at the following grades on their chosen instrument, or performing pieces to the equivalent standard:

• for entry in Year 7 – Grade 3
• for entry in Year 9 – Grade 4
• for entry in Year 12 – Grade 5

The relevant mark sheets must be provided to support this achievement at the time of the audition.

Music Scholarships are available for pupils starting Year 7, 9 and 12 and are reviewed annually. They are valid throughout the candidate’s school career provided that the recipient(‘s):

• is involved in a continuous regular programme of instrumental/vocal lessons with a member of the Royal Russell Senior School Visiting Music Staff
• is making constructive use of the lessons provided and a significant level of practice between lessons is apparent
• is playing an active role in musical events organised by the Music Department.  All instrumentalists are expected to be a regular member of the School Orchestra and attend all related rehearsals and performances as a priority
• parents are paying for the lessons as charged by the Visiting Music Staff on a termly basis payable in advance
• parents adhere to all normal terms in relation to fees being met as usual

In the unlikely event of wishing to withdraw pupils from instrumental lessons, parents are requested to give the Head of Music a half term’s written notice or they will be liable for a half term’s fees in lieu. 

A Music Scholarship is currently awarded to students showing strong musical ability and potential and entitles the recipient to a percentage reduction in school fees for the period of tenure. Scholarships are intended to assist with the cost of individual music lessons, as provided by the Royal Russell School Visiting Music Staff at school. Pupils are expected to attend a weekly lesson in School with a member of the Royal Russell School Visiting Music Staff unless prior arrangements have been agreed with the Director of Music.

Pupils holding Music Scholarships will be encouraged to maintain their commitment to music throughout their time in the school and we offer a programme of annual reviews with the Director of Music to reflect on musical progress in the past year and to set challenges for the year ahead.

How do I apply?

Candidates meeting our normal requirements will be required to attend an audition with the Director of Music who will consider their skills and potential. The audition will include a practical performance, sight reading and aural tests.  Candidates must always bring two copies of their music to the audition. One of these copies will be the piano accompaniment if the candidate wishes to be accompanied on the piano. (We are able to provide accompaniment if required.)

Potential candidates who have not obtained the required standard, and still feel they may be worthy of a scholarship, will be required to attend a short pre-audition in order for a member of the School’s music department to decide whether they show enough potential to go through to the main audition.

All applications require supporting documentary evidence including letters from the candidate’s current school and music teachers. Attendance at audition will not guarantee a successful application.

Following the auditions, successful candidates will receive a scholarship offer conditional upon their performance in the academic entrance exam in January.

We recognise, however, that children develop at different rates and unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged to reapply when appropriate.

For further assistance, please contact admissions@royalrussell.co.uk.

Next steps in application

Essential requirements for applicants

Typically, candidates compete at a minimum county or academy level in their sport(s). We assess each candidate using physical testing, sport-specific assessment and references from coaches. We offer Sports Scholarships across all sports.

A Sport Scholarship entitles the recipient to a percentage reduction in School fees and a unique personal training programme that offers support in their specific sport in order to help scholars achieve the limit of their potential.

An athlete will be supported according to the four corners of Elite Performance: Tactical, Technical, Physical and Social.

We are looking for outstanding applicants to join our programme.  Our normal expectations will be representation at County level and/or at a recognised Academy level or equivalent.

Sport Scholarships are available for pupils starting Year 7, 9 and 12 and are reviewed annually. The Sport Scholarship is valid throughout the candidate’s school career provided that:

• The recipient makes constructive use of their sport skills and contributes actively to the School
• The recipient takes an active role in fixtures, training and House sport that will take priority over external activities, except in the event of a clash through selection for representative teams at county level or above and it is agreed by the Head of Sport
• The recipient’s parents adhere to all normal terms in relation to fees being met as usual

How do I apply?

Applications will be pre-screened and not all candidates may be invited to attend the assessment day. Please consider carefully what is included in the personal statement so that it accurately reflects the candidate’s achievements and aspirations. All applications require supporting documentary evidence, including reports from the candidate’s club(s) and current school. In some cases, submission of video evidence may be appropriate.

Pre-screened candidates will be invited to attend a set half-day assessment with the Sport Department who will consider their skills and potential. During the assessment, candidates will be observed in a number of different activities to include demonstration of set skills and their application in small-sided games, allowing accurate assessment to be made. Candidates will also participate in fitness tests, for example in speed and agility using speed gates.

Attendance on the assessment day will not guarantee a successful application. We recognise, however, that children develop and mature at different rates and unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged to reapply when appropriate.

For further assistance, please contact admissions@royalrussell.co.uk.

Next steps