Sixth Form Scholarships

Each year we award three categories of scholarships:

1. Subject Scholarships
The school awards a number of Subject Scholarships every year to students who demonstrate exceptional ability in the following subjects: Art, Drama, Music and Physical Education.

2. Academic Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded annually to students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and potential. The Ruth Court Mathematics Scholarship is included in this category of awards.

3. All-Rounder Scholarship (including King Henry VIII Scholarships)
These scholarships are awarded to students who excel in a range of disciplines. They are standalone scholarships that cannot be held in conjunction with any other scholarship.

You can apply for up to two Subject Scholarships. Subject Scholarships are awarded for exceptional ability and skills. Applicants will be expected to provide evidence of commitment to their subject demonstrated through their activities at their present school. King’s High students in Year 11 and external candidates in the final year of their GCSE course who have applied to join the Sixth Form at King’s are eligible to apply for a Subject Scholarship.

In their assessment of candidates, departments will evaluate performance, talent and potential within their subject, as well as levels of commitment and achievement. The criteria and selection process is designed to give equal opportunities for both internal and external candidates. The Head of Department will evaluate every candidate against the criteria and selection process and recommend suitable students to the Head. Any student granted a Subject Scholarship will be required to make a commitment to the extracurricular life of the School, which will be outlined by the appropriate Head of Department. The Head of Department will monitor this commitment during the student’s time in the Sixth Form as part of the condition of holding the Scholarship.

For Music and PE there is no compulsion to study the subject to A Level; however, candidates must demonstrate how they will contribute to the department and the subject during their time in the Sixth Form.

Students can only hold scholarships in Art and Drama as long as they study the subject at A Level.

How it works:

a) All students select the subject or subjects (maximum of two) in which they wish to be considered for a Subject Scholarship.

b) Students must complete the relevant form for internal or external applicants and include a statement detailing the contributions they have made to their present school community AND their contribution to the subject(s) for which they have entered. In addition, external candidates will be required to attach a letter from their present Head detailing such contributions.

c) The practical sessions will take place in the February immediately ahead of entry into Year 12.

d) Once the department has evaluated the performances of all applicants, recommendations will be made to the Head.

e) The successful candidates will receive a letter from the Head outlining the nature of the Scholarship and the conditions attached to the granting of such a Scholarship.

These scholarships are awarded annually to students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and potential. They are highly competitive awards and academic standards at King’s High are very strong. Applicants for the majority of scholarships will need to evidence an impressive academic pedigree: we would expect applicants to be on course to achieve 7-9 grades in all of their GCSE subjects. This does not, however, apply to those applying for the Ruth Court Mathematics Scholarship, where outstanding Mathematical ability is the main criterion for assessment.

Both internal and external candidates can apply for an academic scholarship.

How it works: 
a) All applicants sit two subject-based examination papers of their choice and undergo a scholarship interview. We recommend that you select your two best subjects, in which you have been predicted at least a 7, if not a grade 8 or 9. Each paper lasts 45 minutes and is designed to test academic skills and potential. There is no specific subject knowledge to learn, although you will be expected to know the key topics of core GCSE subjects.

b) In addition, all applicants will sit a ‘thinking skills’ paper, which will test general mental dexterity in a series of challenging questions.

c) Candidates may choose to sit papers in Drama and/or PE as part of their application for an Academic Scholarship. This is a different process from applying for a Subject Scholarship in one or more of those subjects. If a candidate chooses to take a scholarship paper in either or both of these subjects, the assessment will be made according to strict academic criteria and the focus of the activity will be to assess academic ability and potential. Scholarship papers are not offered in Art, Design Technology or Music.

d) If you select to take one of the scholarship papers in a Modern Foreign Language, there will be an oral assessment after the Scholarship Examinations.

e) Students apply via the relevant application form (for internal or external candidates) which will require them to detail what contributions they have made to their present school community AND their contribution to the subjects for which they have entered. In addition, external candidates will be required to attach a letter from their present Head.

f) On the basis of the examination marks and the interviews, recommendations will be made to the Head about the awarding of scholarships and students will be informed.

In addition to taking the main Mathematics Scholarship paper, the Ruth Court Scholarship candidates will:

• Sit a thirty minute Mathematics paper consisting of open-ended mathematical problems.
• Make a ten minute presentation on a mathematical topic of their choice to members of the Mathematics department.

This scholarship may be awarded in addition to any other scholarship currently held. It may also be awarded in combination with an Academic Scholarship or Subject Scholarship. It may not be held in conjunction with an All-Rounder Scholarship.

The Scholarship is awarded by the School, supported financially by the Old Girls’ Association, in memory of the significant contribution Miss Ruth Court made to King’s High, as an Old Girl and teacher of Mathematics for twenty-eight years.

The King Henry VIII Scholarships are open to pupils living in the CV34 postcode and aim to recognise those young people who demonstrate outstanding achievements or the potential to do so – whether that be academic achievement or all-around achievement more generally. As a Foundation, we are proud to be part of Warwick, and we work closely with our community on a number of initiatives that aim to enable our community to realise their potential. We are committed to projects that make a difference to the lives of people who live in Warwick and the surrounding areas, and we hope the King Henry VIII Scholarship will support talented local children in reaching their full potential.

The King Henry VIII Scholarships can be awarded to either children who currently attend one of the Foundation schools or children who attend a different school but wish to move to a Foundation school. The scholarships will, in most cases, be awarded to children at the 11+ and 16+ entry points and involve fee remission of up to 50%.

Unlike our existing bursaries, the King Henry VIII Scholarships are not means-tested but will be subject to annual review. Recipients must remain resident in CV34 for the duration of their time at the school to continue to benefit from this award.

Current King’s students in Year 11 and external candidates may apply for this as well as an Academic Scholarship or a Subject Scholarship. They cannot, however, be awarded an All-Rounder Scholarship as well as another scholarship.

An All-Rounder scholar is expected to exhibit the following characteristics:

• • Show significant academic promise, achievement and on-going commitment to their studies.

• Show significant promise, achievement and on-going commitment in at least two specialist areas and have an established record of achievement in these either at their current school or outside schools. The specialist areas are as follows: Music, Drama, Sport, Art, Design Technology, Debating/Public Speaking, Community engagement
• Demonstrate strong skills in communication, creativity, leadership and teamwork.

Candidates will sit one subject paper of their choice, plus the thinking skills paper. Candidates should select two specialist subject areas and submit a portfolio of evidence outlining their achievements and commitment, either in or out of school to support their application.

Candidates who reach the required threshold will then be invited to an interview. The interview will provide an opportunity to ask students about their current interests and responsibilities in and /or outside school, what inspires them, what is important to them and how becoming an All-Rounder scholar will help build on earlier educational experiences.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate enthusiasm and a willingness to engage in teamwork and leadership activities.

Candidates will be assessed on their performance in their academic examinations, their portfolio of evidence and, for those who progress to the final stage, their interview. Please note that references will be required from the candidate’s current school in support of their application and to support their chosen specialist subject areas. These will be taken into account during the assessment process.

The school’s Organ was very kindly funded by two benefactors who have supported the school for a number of years. They have extended their generosity by also funding The Northgate Organ Scholarship.

In October 2020, King’s High became the proud owner of the Lady Susi Jeans organ as it moved home from Birmingham Conservatoire to the King’s High and Warwick Prep Rehearsal Studio in our newly opened Music School. This famous organ was built in 1936 by Hill, Norman & Beard Ltd with pipework and voicing by Eule of Bautzen in the south-east of Germany, for the eminent physicist Sir James Jeans as a wedding present

Candidates should normally have reached at least grade 6 (ABRSM) on the organ or grade 7 on piano. Candidates will be expected:

• To perform two short contrasting pieces on the organ. One piece should be written before 1750.
• To undertake a sight reading test on the organ which will be on three staves (i.e. including pedals).
• To undertake an aural test at appropriate grade level.
• To be interviewed by the Director of Music and Director of Music of the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick.

OR if the candidate is not currently an organist

• To perform two short contrasting pieces on the piano. One piece should be written before 1750.
• To undertake a sight reading test on the organ which will be on 2 staves (i.e. not including pedals). This will then be followed by a brief workshop on organ technique with the Director of Music of the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick.
• To undertake an aural test at appropriate grade level.
• To be interviewed by the Director of Music and Director of Music of the Collegiate Church of  St Mary, Warwick.

There is no compulsion to study music at A Level, however scholarship holders will be expected to make a full contribution to the musical life of the school. This may well involve the accompanying of choirs and other ensembles as necessary. Assessment Candidates will be assessed on their live performance during a formal audition. The panel will be looking for a candidate with strong performance technique and a high level of musicianship showing a strong level of understanding of the music played.

All candidates are required to provide evidence of your high standard of performance, detailed through the application form.  External candidates will be required to provide a reference from their Head detailing their contribution to the school community and music at their present school, as well as a statement written by the candidate detailing their contribution to both the school community and music. After applications have been received, a shortlist will be drawn up by the panel. Candidates who have been shortlisted will be notified and invited to attend an audition.