Scholarships

Mrs Nicole Allison, Head of Music

Pupils who are passionate about music-making and want to learn more about performance, composition and/or music technology.
Music Scholars are expected to contribute to the musical life of the school by participating in a minimum of two ensembles (one should be a vocal ensemble). They should prioritise the rehearsals and performances of these ensembles.

The Music Scholarship Programme contains:

Performance thread

Personal goals for solo performance, involvement in school community performances, participation in instrumental and vocal music Creative thread

The opportunity to work on composition with a view to a public performance of the piece OR

The opportunity to lead a performance (conducting/leading from the front of an ensemble/directing or arranging the music for a performance)

Annual creative workshop run by an external provider so that in a 5-year period as a scholar there would be the opportunity to learn more about composition, music history, performance, developments in music technology and other relevant and topical areas

Additional access to music technology and performance resources within the Music Department

Theory thread

Setting personal goals which will be monitored

Interaction with other Music Scholars

Termly meetings with the aim of:

Providing a platform where scholars can listen to and discuss a broad range of music

Get feedback on the performances/compositions they are working on

£250 off their termly fee in lieu of tuition on one instrument taken in or out of school.

Participation in the Music Scholarship Programme

Scholars will attend regular meetings to:

Have an opportunity to listen to a broad range of music

Build an appropriate vocabulary to use when talking about music

Share ideas with other Music Scholars

£250 off their termly fee in lieu of tuition on one instrument taken in or out of school

Grade 4 or above on one instrument

Two instruments preferable (voice is considered an instrument)

Aural and sightreading approximately grade 3 level

An interest in learning about, talking about and participating in the making of music

It is not necessary for a pupil to have taken external grades in performance. We are looking for young people who are passionate about Music: keen to learn about it, talk about, listen to it and spend time perfecting their playing of it

Please submit a short written piece providing evidence for each of the entry criteria listed above. Please ensure you list the instruments played, approximate grade levels and the music your child enjoys playing most. Please ensure you include your child’s name and the scholarship they are applying for.

For prospective parents:

We ask that your written piece is submitted to admissions@downsend.co.uk by 1 November.

For current Downsend pupils:

We ask that your written piece is submitted to admissions@downsend.co.uk by 1 November

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Scholarship Assessment Day.

On the day, pupils will be expected to:

perform a piece on each instrument of not more than 5 minutes in total

participate in some sight reading and aural tests at approximately ABRSM grade 3

participate in a short interview

Candidates will be given approximately ten minutes to warm up before the audition

You are more than welcome to bring your own accompanist

If you require accompanying please notify school as soon as possible. There will be the opportunity to rehearse briefly before the audition

Please bring your instrument and sheet music

To be assessed for a scholarship, all prospective pupils will need to have registered for academic assessments.

Should you wish to apply for a scholarship, you will be asked to provide a written application by 1 November.

The Scholarship Assessment Day will take place on Saturday 23 November 2024 . Exact timings will be confirmed once all applications have been received and processed.

Mr Grant Lawrence, Director of Sport

Able sporting performers who have aspirations of playing sport at an elite level. In addition to this, we look for pupils with the following characteristics:

Coachable and willing to quickly implement feedback

An excellent attitude towards learning both in PE and Sport lessons

Ambition and drive towards achieving a personal or team goal

Able to make calculated decisions when under pressure

Physically resilient and robust

Positive emotional intelligence and are able to bounce back from setbacks

Willing to take the lead and set an example to their peers

Good communication skills

Able sporting performers who have aspirations of playing sport at an elite level. In addition to this, we look for pupils with the following characteristics:

A specific ‘superstar’ mentor who matches the individual needs of the scholar

Movement analysis sessions, inclusive of fitness testing (half-termly)

Lectures based around improving performance (half-termly)

Access to physiotherapy/sports rehab sessions

Targeted podcasts to help with scholars’ mindset/wellbeing/goal setting

Links with National Governing Bodies (NGB) and professional sports clubs

Percentage discount off school fees.

Holders of Sports Scholarship are expected to make a significant contribution to the extra-curricular sporting calendar.

Downsend School offers a breadth of sporting activities whereby the school competes locally and nationally in the following areas: Football, Hockey, Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Tennis, Swimming and Athletics.

Candidates who excel in at least one, preferably two, of the sports listed above to at minimum ‘A’ team standard are invited to apply for a scholarship. It will also be beneficial to candidates’ applications if they can demonstrate that they represent at district/county level or above in any of these sports.

Alongside this we are looking for the following individual characteristics:

Be coachable and willing to quickly implement given feedback

Have an excellent attitude towards learning both in PE and Sport lessons

Demonstrate ambition and drive towards achieving a personal or team goal

Be able to make calculated decisions when under pressure

Be physically resilient and robust

Have positive emotional intelligence and are able to bounce back from setbacks

Be willing to take the lead and set an example to their peers

Have good communication skills

Have met the academic requirements of the school

Please provide a short written piece providing evidence for each of the above entry criteria. Please include your child’s name and the scholarship you are applying for.

Please also provide accompanying video evidence demonstrating playing/sports credentials.

For prospective parents:

Please submit your written piece to admissions@downsend.co.uk by 11 November For current Downsend pupils:

Please submit your written piece to admissions@downsend.co.uk by 11 November

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Scholarship Assessment Day.

Pupils will be fitness tested on their cardiovascular endurance, speed and agility followed by an assessment in their Games performance (a generic Games based activity will be played). Swimmers will be in the pool and will be timed on their two preferred strokes.

To be assessed for a scholarship, all prospective pupils will need to have registered for academic assessments.

Should you wish to apply for a scholarship, you will be asked to provide a written application and video footage prior to the Scholarship Assessment Day.

Mr Christopher Bryant, Head of Drama

Applicants for Year 7 Drama Scholarships, whether internal or external, will have taken every opportunity to contribute to School Drama during Years 5 and 6 at their current school (e.g. school plays, LAMDA, clubs or competitions). They will show impressive attainment and positive attitude in curriculum Drama lessons. Applicants may also have had experience of Drama beyond school, but this is not necessary.

We are looking for the following individual characteristics:

Enthusiasm

Dedications

A sense of fun

An understanding of the importance of discipline

Creative ambition

Good team work

A love of performance

Good behaviour and attitude to learning

Benefits for Drama scholars will include:

Increased performance opportunities

1:1 support and guidance with honing Drama skills and, if desired, audition assistance

Scholars’ voices will be able to give valuable contributions to the future planning of school Drama

A percentage discount on tuition fees

To be a Downsend Drama scholar, we are looking for pupils who:

Have taken every opportunity to contribute to School Drama during Years 5 and 6 at their current school (e.g. school plays, LAMDA, clubs or competitions)

Show impressive attainment and positive attitude in curriculum Drama lessons

Have had experience of Drama beyond school, but this is not necessary

Please provide a short written piece provding evidence for each of the above entry criteria. Please ensure you reference your child’s name and the scholarship you are applying for.

For prospective pupils, please provide a written reference from a previous Drama teacher.

For prospective parents:

Please submit your written piece and reference is submitted to admissions@downsend.co.uk by 11 November. For current Downsend pupils:

Please submit your written piece to admissions@downsend.co.uk by 11 November

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Scholarship Assessment Day.

On the day:

Applicants will be asked to audition by learning and rehearsing a monologue (of their choice) and presenting it

This will be followed by a group session with other applicants involving improvisation, devising and scripted work

Applicants will also have a short interview with the Head of Drama to discuss their experience so far, their hopes for the future and why they would make an excellent Downsend scholar

To be assessed for a scholarship, all prospective pupils will need to have registered for academic assessments.

Should you wish to apply for a scholarship, you will be asked to provide a written application and video footage prior to the Scholarship Assessment Day.

Mr Martin Skitt, Leader of Learning and Innovation

We seek young people who demonstrate academic excellence across the curriculum, driven by a thirst for knowledge, an excitement for learning and an impatience to investigate the world around them.

We look for potential in their ability to critically analyse and problem solve, both independently and collaboratively, across a range of academic disciplines.

A percentage discount on tuition fees

Weekly group tutorial

Half-termly after-school workshop, including a termly outside speaker

Half-termly 1:1 tutorial with an academic mentor

Other academic enrichment opportunities as appropriate to age, stage and pupil interest e.g. higher education workshops

For new pupils: during academic assessments, pupils will be assessed using Cognitive Ability Tests. Each score will be assessed to determine high performers academically who would benefit from a scholarship.

For current pupils: the termly assessment results will be analysed to determine pupils who will be eligible for an academic scholarship.

There is no formal application for this scholarship.

For prospective parents:

When you register, you will be asked to provide reference from your child’s previous school. This and the CAT scores will be used to determine scholarship awards. There is no formal application process for this scholarship.

For current parents:

The termly assessment results will be analysed to determine pupils who will be eligible for an academic scholarship. There is no formal application for this scholarship.

Mrs Maggie Hambleton, Head of Art, Design and Technology

Individuals who can demonstrate enthusiasm, passion and commitment to Art and Design Technology with the intention to study and further develop within the field.

Alongside this we are looking for the following individual characteristics and requirements::

Have demonstrated an independence developing their art and design skills, via sketchbooks and design projects

An ability to be disciplined, focussed and efficient with time

Have gone above and beyond in their love for ADT, such creating a piece of artwork for a competition or a community project or for a third party

Be prepared to take risks and push boundaries of creativity

Have positive emotional intelligence and able to bounce back from setbacks.

Have good communication skills.

Participation in school clubs, community projects, raising the profile of ADT

ADT business enterprise, learning the ropes of what it is to produce/build /sell and create a successful and fulfilling career in ADTl

ADT workshop: studio time to explore and build upon skills

Termly professional profiles explored; what it is to be a successful artist/designer and education pathways to being a; product designer, freelance designer, illustrator etc

Percentage discount off school fees.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate a passion for ADT and must be able to display exceptional artistic understanding and a varied skill set, such as:

Drawing

Photography

CAD/CAM skills

Sculpture/model making

Craft/making skills using variety of materials and tools

Alongside this we are looking for the following individual characteristics and requirements:

Have demonstrated an independence developing their art and design skills, via sketchbooks and design projects

An ability to be disciplined, focussed and efficient with time

Have gone above and beyond in their love for ADT, such creating a piece of artwork for a competition or a community project or for a third party

Be prepared to take risks and push boundaries of creativity

Have positive emotional intelligence and able to bounce back from setbacks.

Have good communication skills

Have met the academic requirements of the school.

In advance, we ask you to compile evidence of the following in a short written piece including details of the following:

Evidence of sketchbook work

Exhibitions attended

Community projects

For prospective parents:

Please submit your written piece to admissions@downsend.co.uk by 11 November

For current Downsend pupils:

Please submit your written piece to admissions@downsend.co.uk by 11 November

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Scholarship Assessment Day.

Pupils will be asked to produce.:

A still life study

To provide design solutions to a specific brief

To be assessed for a scholarship, all pupils will need to have registered for academic assessments.

Should you wish to apply for a scholarship, you will be asked to provide a written application prior to the Scholarship Assessment Day.