Scholarships, Bursaries and School Assisted Places

Scholarships are available to girls and boys who typically demonstrate high ability, interest beyond the curriculum and a willingness to make a significant contribution to the life of the School.

Scholarships are held through to Year 13, but a scholar’s performance and contribution to the school is reviewed annually.

Approximately one third of the total number of candidates will be called back for a formal scholarship interview with the Head of School. Awards offered typically range from 10-30% across the Academic, Sports and Music fields. One-off awards are also available.

Academic Scholarships

In year 7, children who have performed exceptionally well in the Entrance Examinations in English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning papers, will be called for an interview with either Mr Matthew Bennett, Head of School or Head of Departments. During this interview, candidates will be expected to discuss a subject which is of special interest to them.

Scholars are expected to take a lead in the school community and are invited to participate in the Scholars Forum. The forum is managed and organised by Sixth Form Scholars under the supervision of the Head of Mathematics and provides an annual program of debates and discussions along with guest speakers.

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships are awarded for excellent musical skill and aptitude. Depending on the instruments offered, children applying for Year 7 entry should be performing at grade 3 (associated board) or above.

All elements of the audition are conducted by the Head of School Music along with the Head of Senior Music (Academic). One piece on each instrument/voice offered for scholarship should be prepared. Sight reading and aural tests appropriate to the relevant grade will also take place. This will be followed by an interview to discuss their particular interests in music. Candidates should also provide references from relevant music and instrumental teachers.

Sports Scholarships

Candidates for a Sports Scholarship will have reached a high standard (e.g county level) in their chosen sport or have the potential to achieve this or a higher level. Candidates will be asked to perform in a variety of sports-related skills and games during their sports assessment. Candidates will also need to demonstrate a keen interest in his or her chosen sport(s) and be committed to representing the school in them.

Sports Scholars will also be expected to participate in the other school sports and represent the school when required to do so. They should also provide references from their sports coaches along with their application.

Candidates who have an aptitude for an individual sport for which the School does not field a team, but who show a real talent and potential, could also be considered. The Head of School Sport will then recommend potential scholars and invite them for interview.

Pupils across the school, who have been identified as gifted and talented in sport or are our sports scholars, are invited to participate in The Podium. The Podium is managed and organised by the Sixth Form sports scholars who produce an annual programme of sports related talks and discussions and bring invited speakers into School.

Realising Individual Brilliance Scholarships

There are some pupils who may feel that their particular talents or abilities lie in the area of art or the performing arts, or are more individual and do not necessarily fall under a traditional academic field. The School has always valued such talents and so offers these pupils the opportunity to apply for a Year 7 Realising Individual Brilliance Scholarship. References from coaches/teachers or evidence of these abilities should be provided upon application for the scholarship.

Scholarships are available to boys and girls who typically demonstrate high ability, interest beyond the curriculum and a willingness to make a significant contribution to the life of the School.

Scholarships are held through to Year 13, but a scholar’s performance and contribution to the school is reviewed annually.

Academic Scholarships

In year 9, candidates will be required to sit written entrance examination papers in English and Mathematics. Candidates who perform well in these exams, along with possessing a good school report and candidate reference from their current school, will be called for an interview. During this interview, candidates will be expected to discuss a subject which is of special interest to them.

Scholars are expected to take a lead in the school community and are invited to participate in the Scholars Forum. The forum is managed and organised by Sixth Form Scholars under the supervision of the Head of Mathematics and provides an annual program of debates and discussions along with guest speakers.

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships are awarded for excellent musical skill and aptitude. Depending on the instruments offered, candidates applying for Year 9 entry should be working towards a minimum of grade 5 (associated board). Scholarship candidates without the specific qualification, but who can demonstrate proficiency comparable to the standard, will also be given consideration.

All elements of the audition are conducted by the Head of School Music along with the Head of Senior Music (Academic). One piece on each instrument/voice offered for scholarship should be prepared. Sight reading and aural tests appropriate to the relevant grade will also take place. This will be followed by an interview to discuss their particular interests in music. Candidates should also provide references from relevant music and instrumental teachers.

Sports Scholarships

Candidates for a Sports Scholarship will have reached a high standard (e.g county level) in their chosen sport or have the potential to achieve this or a higher level. Candidates will also need to demonstrate a keen interest in his or her chosen sport(s) and be committed to representing the school in them.

Sports Scholars will also be expected to participate in the other school sports and represent the school when required to do so. They should also provide references from their sports coaches along with their application.

Candidates who have an aptitude for an individual sport for which the School does not field a team, but who show a real talent and potential, could also be considered. The Head of School Sport will then recommend potential scholars and invite them for interview.

Pupils across the school, who have been identified as gifted and talented in sport or are our sports scholars, are invited to participate in The Podium. The Podium is managed and organised by the Sixth Form sports scholars who produce an annual programme of sports related talks and discussions and bring invited speakers into School.

Realising Individual Brilliance Scholarships

There are some pupils who may feel that their particular talents or abilities lie in the area of art or the performing arts, or are more individual and do not necessarily fall under a traditional academic field. The School has always valued such talents and so offers these pupils the opportunity to apply for a Year 9 Realising Individual Brilliance Scholarship. References from coaches/teachers or evidence of these abilities should be provided upon application for the scholarship.

Academic Scholarships

The unique academic system at Clifton High School enables academically gifted pupils to develop their intellectual profile in a variety of ways: inside the classroom through the curriculum, through the one-to-one tutorials with their tutor and also through the co-curricular programme. There are a number of financial Scholarships as well as a select number of students who will be invited to join the Scholars Forum as honorary members.  Membership in the Scholars Forum is seen as a prestigious honour at the High School.

Applications are encouraged from candidates who show academic talent in one or more subjects.

External Candidates

All external candidates will be considered for a Scholarship at the point of their application to Clifton High Sixth Form. If the School feels a Scholarship could be offered, evidence and an interview will be required to gain a Scholarship offer.

Internal Candidates

The value of the scholarship will vary based on the number and strength of the applications received in each subject area. All of those given an award will be expected to contribute to school life throughout their Sixth Form career and to act as role models for their peers and younger pupils of the School in their commitment to and endeavour to excel.  Scholars are expected to participate in The Scholars Forum Programme. Further details on the programme can be found here.  

Pupils who are interested in being considered for an award are required to indicate this by means of a letter to the Head of School, which must be received by Wednesday 4^th November, 2020.

The letter should outline;

• what type of scholarship they would like to be considered for (i.e. Biology, History, Mathematics etc.)
• what the pupil has achieved in their chosen academic field to date
• how they intend to continue pursuing this both in and out of school
• what they feel they have to offer the School in their specialist area
• what A level subjects they wish to study

All candidates will have one interview, one with the Head of School, Head of Sixth Form and the Head of the department in which their particular talents lie. 

Interviews will take place between 23^rd November – Friday 4^th December, 2020. Candidates will be informed of their interviews on or by Friday 20^th November, 2020.

In all interviews, the School will be assessing the candidates:

• Abilities in the practical and theoretical aspects of their chosen subject
• Level of commitment to the subject
• Passion for and understanding of the importance of their chosen subject
• Pursuit of their chosen subject outside School as well as in school life
• Willingness to contribute to school life in their chosen subject
• Ability to set an example of leadership and excellence in their chosen subject

Decisions about awards will be announced by Friday 11^th December, 2020

Sports, Creative Arts, Performing Arts and Realising Individual Brilliance Awards

There are some pupils who may feel that their particular talents or abilities lie in the area of sports, creative arts or performing arts or are more individual and do not necessarily fall under a traditional academic field. The School has always valued such talents and so offers these pupils the opportunity to apply for a Sixth Form Award based on practical aptitude in one of these areas:

• Sports Award covers performance in P.E., Athletics and Games.
• Creative Arts covers Art and Product Design.
• Performing Arts covers Drama and Music.
• Realising Individual Brilliance covers a unique skill, talent or passion that adds to the Clifton High Community

Pupils applying for a Creative or Performing Arts Award are expected to focus on one of the following disciplines: Art, Drama, Music or Product Design. Pupils who are given Creative and Performing Arts Awards are expected to study the subject for which the award is given at A level. In the case of applicants for an award in Music, continued study of music at a high level, such as for Associated Board grades, may be substituted for A level Music. All those given an award will be expected to contribute to school life in their specialist area throughout their sixth form career and to act as role models for their peers and juniors in their commitment to and endeavour in their specialist field. 

Pupils who are given a Realising Individual Brilliance Award are expected to continue development in their chosen area both in and out of School, promoting and sharing their knowledge and the benefits of their unique field, passion or talent with the school community.

External Candidates

All external candidates will be considered for a Scholarship at the point of their application to Clifton High Sixth Form. If the School feels an Award could be offered, evidence and an interview will be required to gain an offer. 

Internal Candidates

Students who already hold an Academic Scholarship or a Sports, Drama, Music or Art Scholarship are not eligible to apply for a Sports, Creative Arts or Performing Arts Award in the Sixth Form.

Students who are interested in being considered for an award are required to indicate this by means of a letter to the Head of School which must be received by Wednesday 4^th November, 2020.

The letter should outline;

• which award they would like to be considered for
• what the students have achieved in their chosen field to date,
• how they intend to continue pursuing this both in and out of school
• what they feel they have to offer the School in their specialist area
• what A level subjects they wish to study

All candidates will have one interview, one with the Head of School, Head of Sixth Form and the Head of Department in which their particular talents lie. 

Interviews will take place between Monday 23^rd November – Friday 4^th December, 2020.

Candidates will be informed of their interviews on or by Friday 20^th November, 2020.

In all interviews, the School will be assessing the candidate’s:

• Abilities in the practical (not theoretical) aspects of their chosen subject
• Level of commitment to the subject
• Passion for and understanding of the importance of their chosen subject
• Pursuit of their chosen subject outside school as well as in school life
• Willingness to contribute to school life in their chosen subject
• Ability to set an example of leadership and excellence in their chosen subject

Decisions about awards will be announced by Friday 11^th December, 2020.