Scholarship at Eltham College

At 11+ entry, Academic Scholarships are available as well as scholarships to recognise talent and ability in Sport, Music and Art. These are awarded on an equal basis for pupils from Eltham College Junior School and external applicants.

At 13+ entry, further Academic, Music, Art and Sport Scholarships are available for external applicants.

Sixth Form Academic Scholarships are available to current Eltham College pupils as well as for external applicants. Drama Scholarships are available as well as a limited number of further Sports, Music and Art Scholarships. Sixth Form children of Chemists, Commercial Travellers and Grocers may apply for a Leverhulme Trust Scholarship.

Scholarship at Eltham CollegeEltham College takes the awarding of scholarships very seriously. It is our aim to provide as much assistance with the fees as we can to enable the brightest and most talented pupils to benefit from an education at the school. A number of scholarships are available for entry into the Senior School and the Sixth Form.

Individual scholarships can be worth up to 50% of the annual fees and can be combined with a bursary award and further scholarships. Scholarships are awarded purely on the basis of merit to the most able or to those who show considerable potential. They are awarded at the Headmaster’s discretion, following an appropriate assessment and interview and are normally valid for a pupil’s time at Eltham College.

Scholarship in PracticeThe awarding of a Scholarship is merely the first step. Once a Scholar arrives at Eltham College, he or she will be expected to play an active role across all areas of the school’s academic and co-curricular life as detailed in the following pages.

Academic ScholarshipAcademic Scholarship is integral to life at Eltham College. Pupils are encouraged to be the best that they can be and are offered support and pathways to successful future careers.

Our Academic Scholars are encouraged by departments to discover and nurture their talents. A comprehensive programme of events is organised throughout the scholarship year. These events include:

• Regular Scholarship meetings and assemblies for each year group• Scholarship visits to key events in London• Scholarship lectures from visiting speakers• An annual Scholars’ Dinner• Written report for parents to highlight Scholars’ progress• Lower School Scholars’ Presentation Evening for pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9• Middle School essay writing competition for pupils in Years 10 and 11• Scholarship Thinking Skills Programme and Philosophy Society for Middle

School pupils• Sixth Form Scholars’ Independent Research Project and Presentation Evening

The Assessment Process

Academic Scholarships are awarded to pupils entering Years 7, 9 or Lower Sixth who excel in our Senior School or Sixth Form entrance examination and interview.

“Being an Academic Scholar at Eltham College means so much more than simply getting good exam results. During my school career, I have been encouraged as an Academic Scholar to look at the world critically and I have learnt to express my ideas with clarity and confidence. Above all, I have been challenged and my mind has been opened to aspects of life which I may not otherwise have encountered.

My scholarship has enabled me to travel and to spend time living with families in France and Germany. I have participated in many professional music events. The recent one-to-one tutorial I received from a visiting Mathematics Professor from Cambridge University has inspired me and will define the academic path my life will take.”

Conor Murphy

Sport ScholarshipEltham College is a school with a strong sporting record. Sport Scholarships are available to help pupils of outstanding sporting potential to develop their sport and compete at the highest level while studying at Eltham College. A minimum standard and/or potential equivalent to County representation is normally expected in one or more of the sports being assessed.

The major sports at the school are rugby, hockey, cricket and netball and it is in these sports that Eltham College has the high class facilities, resources and expertise, as well as links with outside clubs and organisations, to offer a comprehensive support programme to the ambitious and talented.

Our Scholarship programme includes:

• Individual tailored coaching sessions• Mentoring programmes for athlete welfare• Strength and conditioning programmes• Nutrition advice and physiotherapy support• Training in mental skills and sports psychology

The Assessment Process

To gain the award the candidate must first attend a practical assessment. This will cover rugby, hockey, cricket, a fitness test and optional swimming. Shortlisted candidates will attend a second, more vigorous assessment. A candidate must also convince the Headmaster of their ambition for the future in their chosen sports and of their desire to benefit the development and success of sport at the school. Once a holder of this award, they must continue in these aims. The candidate must fulfil the normal academic requirements for entry into the school to Years 7, 9 or Lower Sixth.

“Being a Sport Scholar at Eltham College has given me the opportunity to excel academically, whilst managing my rugby commitments.

The rugby staff at Eltham College have excellent working relationships with my Saracens Academy coaches and have been extremely supportive. They have worked closely together to ensure that I have been able to maintain my studies, represent the school and continue on my pathway in the Academy. Everybody has worked together so that I have not felt under too much pressure at any time.

This year, I have captained the England U16 team, which has obviously meant a fairly full timetable! The sporting curriculum and coaching at Eltham College is of an outstanding level, with regular residences of professional overseas coaches who bring additional help and expertise.

I feel extremely lucky to have been at a school which sees all its pupils as individuals, and succeeds in challenging Sport Scholars whilst simultaneously teaching us about our responsibilities within a team.”

Reuben Bird-Tulloch

Music ScholarshipMusic Scholars at Eltham College are encouraged to play a leading role in the musical life of the school from the day they arrive. As well as receiving free instrumental tuition, they have the opportunity to work with world-class professionals. In recent years, our Music Scholars have sung under the baton of conductors such as Valery Gergiev and performed at many leading concert halls in the UK and in Europe. There are also masterclasses with leading figures from the world of classical music. These have included Warner Brothers recording artist Alison Balsom.

Scholars are given the opportunity to have their pieces recorded by professional musicians and, by the time they leave, they can expect to have their compositions performed at the annual ECCO concert as well as being given the opportunity to conduct a semi-professional orchestra. Successful candidates will be strongly encouraged to study Music at GCSE and A level, although this is not a requirement if a pupil is willing to make a substantial contribution to school musical life. Music Scholars will be required to participate in a significant number of music ensembles and it is likely that they will be in the College Choir.

Many of our Music Scholars go on to music colleges or to Oxford and Cambridge Universities before entering the music profession.

The Assessment Process

Awards for Years 7, 9 or Lower Sixth entrants are made on the basis of audition and interview. Applicants usually offer at least two instruments (please note that singing can only be offered as a second study). Candidates would, as a guide, receive distinctions or merits in their practical exams rather than simply passes. The audition is designed to discover an applicant’s musical potential, interest and talent as well as current performance standard. Further details are available on the Music Scholarship application form which will be sent to those indicating their interest in a Music Scholarship on the Registration Form.

“I have been given an incredible range of opportunities as a Music Scholar. Before I joined the Senior School, I played the leading role in ‘Oliver!’ at the Edinburgh Festival and I was then put forward by the Music department to appear at the English National Opera. In 2010 I created one of the main roles in the world première of Nico Muhly’s ‘Two Boys’, also at ENO. None of this would have been possible without the support of the Music department. The fanfare I composed was performed professionally at the Royal Opera House.

As a Scholar, I am able to perform in a Concerto Concert with a full professional orchestra in a major London venue. The Music department constantly expects Scholars to take

risks. I was the first ever pupil Musical Director last autumn for ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and I am about to start rehearsals as Musical Director for a production of ‘Sweeney Todd’ at the Edinburgh Fringe.

I have gained the confidence to start my own orchestra, The Brio Chamber Orchestra, which has already performed two successful concerts in Greenwich. I plan to work as a professional orchestral conductor and that ambition would be unthinkable without the support I receive as a Music Scholar at Eltham College.”

Joseph Beesley

Drama ScholarshipDrama flourishes at Eltham College. The department is based in Antony Barnard Hall, a purpose built 230 seat theatre with a green room, workshop and prop and costume store. It also has access to the Dance Studio in Eric Liddell Sport Centre for rehearsal and clubs. The Director of Drama is supported by another Drama Teacher and a Theatre Technician, as well as staff from across the school who present a wide range of productions.

Our aim is to allow great creativity to permit a pupil to flourish, through structured teaching, workshops, clubs, rehearsals and performances. Recent productions include Little Shop of Horrors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, West Side Story, Coram Boy, Amadeus and Kes.

Drama Scholars are offered the chance to participate in productions before their arrival, including in productions at the Edinburgh Festival. Once they join the school, opportunities available to them include:

• Major roles in both the annual musical and drama productions• Participation in the Shakespeare Schools Festival at Greenwich Theatre• Workshops with leading theatre professionals in both performance, production

and Arts Management (for example Frantic Assembly, Bill Kenwright Ltd.)• Experience in direction for House Drama Competition and Drama clubs• A programme of theatre visits and post production discussions

Previous Drama Scholars have gone on to join the National Youth Theatre and to train professionally at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The Assessment Process

Drama scholarships are awarded to external and internal candidates for the Lower Sixth, and will cover the two Sixth Form years. Applicants must sit the Drama paper in the Sixth Form Entrance Examination, as they will be expected to study Drama at A level, plus attend a formal audition performing two monologues and take part in a group improvisation workshop.

“Being a Drama Scholar at Eltham College has given me a great opportunity to expand my acting, dancing and singing. I’ve been extremely lucky to take part in the frequent shows here. I was offered a role in ‘West Side Story’ before I joined the school, and was then given the opportunity to play a lead role in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ during my first term. If I hadn’t had taken the initial step to audition for the scholarship, then I would never have been noticed so early on and given the fantastic chances which followed.

I recently took my bronze LAMDA exam. The scholarship plunged me into the heart of drama life and apart from giving me confidence and an exceptional group of people to work with, I have also received specialist training in the technical aspects of theatre. An unexpected bonus that has arisen from my scholarship is the chance to perform ‘Sweeney Todd’ at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer.

I feel confident enough now to know that I want to do this as a career.”

Anna Toogood

Art ScholarshipThere are few schools which can offer their Art Scholars their very own art gallery! With the opening of Gerald Moore Gallery in 2012, Eltham College has been able to do just that. Art Scholars are offered a huge range of opportunities which include life drawing, talks from practising artists, the chance to show their own work in a professional space and the opportunity to curate their examination show. Successful candidates will be expected to study Art at A level and an Art Scholar will be required to support the school’s art activities by participating in art events, producing work for exhibitions and attending gallery events.

The Art department is very well-resourced with some exciting equipment both digital and traditional. It has three general art studios, a sculpture and installation room, a darkroom, a computer suite and excellent printmaking facilities. There are three specialist art teachers, a technician and an Artist-in-Residence.

The gallery’s own Learning, Participation and Outreach Curator shadows our Scholars at every stage to show them the work which goes into curating a show. The most recent work considers what it means to be a young person in contemporary society. Scholars are also able to work with our Artist-in-Residence and to take a leading role in trips to Dorset and our annual trip to Europe.

The Assessment Process

Art Scholarships are awarded to external and internal candidates for the Lower Sixth, and will cover the two Sixth Form years. To gain the award the candidate must first provide a portfolio of exceptional work and attend an evaluation with the Director of Art.

“As an Art Scholar at Eltham College, I’ve been given many exciting opportunities: I have worked in Gerald Moore Gallery for a National Art Teachers’ workshop, where I got to meet artist Bob and Roberta Smith and many influential people in the art world.

The real advantage of being a Scholar is that I am encouraged not only in terms of the art I create, but I am also given free reign to develop the skills which will help me to work professionally in any field of the arts.

I am currently helping to curate and organise the A level exhibition in the gallery and this has taught me a huge amount about the work which happens behind the scenes of an exhibition.

I was asked to paint and design the set for the school drama production and I designed my own handcrafted set for a short play which I wrote. Scholars at Eltham College are expected to be active in more than one field!”

Camilla Makhmudova

Financial AssistanceBursaries

Bursaries may be given to those Senior School parents in need of financial assistance. The value of bursaries as a proportion of fees will be dependent upon financial circumstances. Parents with net resources of less than £15,000 may be eligible for a 100% bursary and those with net resources of more than £50,000 are not likely to be eligible for any assistance. Net assets are also considered in these calculations.

Applicants for bursaries will be considered on the basis of their performance in the Senior School entrance examination and at interview and are given at the Headmaster’s discretion. If a bursary is awarded, its value will be reviewed annually. Children applying for bursaries may also qualify for scholarships.

Community Bursaries

A Community Bursary of up to 100% of fees is available for boys living within or attending a local primary school in the immediate neighbourhood (approx. 1.5 miles from Eltham College). The Community Bursary is available for 11+ entry only. It is assessed on financial need and awarded in a similar way as for other bursaries, but with a positive assessment based on living in the local community. This bursary may be upgraded to a Community Scholarship should the child excel academically in the entrance test.

Leverhulme Trust Scholarship

The Leverhulme Trust provides scholarships in the Sixth Form to the children of Chemists, Commercial Travellers or Grocers. These are valued at up to 50% of school fees per annum.

Arkwright Scholarship

Arkwright Scholars are selected after completing a detailed application form, a two-hour aptitude exam and an interview hosted at a top engineering university. The scholarship identifies the country’s future leaders in engineering and technical design and provides them with a £600 financial award to enhance their A level studies.

For full details on financial assistance available, please visitwww.elthamcollege.london/Bursaries-Financial-Assistance

How to ApplyApplications for scholarships and bursaries must be received by the Registration deadline for that year group entry. Please indicate your interest in a scholarship and/or bursary on the Registration Form. Assessment dates will be confirmed by letter after registration.

Full details are available at www.elthamcollege.london/Fees-Scholarships-and-Bursaries

Please contact the Registrar by emailing registrar@eltham-college.org.uk if you require further information or have any questions about the scholarships and bursaries detailed in this booklet.

Eltham College, Grove Park Road, London SE9 4QF

020 8857 1455

www.elthamcollege.london