Scholarships

Being a scholar at Farnborough Hill is both an opportunity and a commitment. By offering our scholars additional stretch and challenge beyond their day-to-day learning, we hope they will enrich our school community, acting as role models for both their peers and younger pupils, sharing their skills and passion for their subjects whilst simultaneously broadening and deepening their own skills and knowledge.

Zoe Ireland, Acting Head

Each year we award a number of scholarships to talented girls in Year 7 and Sixth Form across a range of disciplines and our prestigious Deplanck Scholarship which is awarded in exceptional circumstances to girls who show outstanding academic ability as well as exceptional ability in Design and Art, Drama, Music or Sport. Read more below about the opportunities available in Year 7 and find out more about Sixth Form scholarships.

Academic Scholarships

We encourage our Academic Scholars to broaden their intellectual horizons from day one by inviting them to monthly AfF-Hilliation workshops. Delivered by a range of staff and open to Scholars only, these sessions encourage and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as introduce girls to concepts beyond their everyday curriculum.

Assessment

Potential Academic Scholars are invited to attend the Scholarship Assessment Day in January based on their performance in the entrance examination.

Our scholarship tests involve mathematic and verbal reasoning as well as creative writing and are designed to challenge the girls academically although will be based on age-appropriate content. The girls will also have an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team and take part in an informal group activity.

Please be aware that girls must take the entrance examination on the main examination date in December to be considered for an Academic Scholarship.

As an Academic Scholar, there have been countless opportunities for me to stretch myself beyond lessons. First and foremost, has been the AfF-Hilliation sessions, which have enabled me to explore topics beyond the school curriculum including divergent thinking, economics and even sign language.

Year 11 Scholar

Art and Design Scholarships

Our Art and Design Scholarships recognise creativity and passion as well as talent across a range of media. Scholarships are offered to those who have chosen to involve themselves in Art activities, both in and out of school. Scholars are expected to display a passion for Art beyond the classroom, attending exhibitions and events where possible and be able to show examples of independent work and creative projects as well as awareness of their favourite artist and genre. In return, we offer our Scholars regular exhibitions to showcase their work and the guidance and support of a mentor from within the Art and Design Department. In later years, we expect our Scholars to guide younger pupils and act as ambassadors for the subject.

Scholarships will be reviewed at the end of Year 8 when Art, as a compulsory subject, finishes. If Art is not studied as an academic subject when options are chosen from Years 9 and 10, then the scholarship and its associated funding will end.

Assessment

Prospective Art and Design Scholars should submit photographs of three recent pieces of work with their Scholarship application form and are invited to bring these, along with a wider range of work from their portfolio to the Scholarship Assessment Day in January. Places on the Art Scholarship Assessment Day will be confirmed after the entrance examination.

During the day, girls will be involved in some short practical activities designed to let them demonstrate their talents across a range of media. They will also have a short interview with the Head of DART to talk about their interest in Art, their experience to date and what they hope to achieve as an Art Scholar.

Drama Scholarships

We are pleased to now offer the opportunity to apply for a Drama Scholarship to girls joining Year 7 in September 2024. In addition to being mentored by one of our outstanding Drama teachers, Scholars can expect a range of opportunities from theatre visits to participation in numerous acting opportunities within school. We would expect potential Drama Scholars to regularly participate in Drama related activities both in and out of school if possible and may have completed external examinations such as LAMDA.

Scholars must be committed to playing a full part in school productions and plays as well as study for LAMDA examinations. Scholars are expected to study Drama up to at least GCSE level. Scholars who choose not to study Drama at GCSE or A level are expected to continue to make a significant contribution to the dramatic life of the School, participating fully and consistently in a range of School productions.

Assessment

Girls will be invited to perform two contrasting pieces at the Scholarship Assessment Day in January. Pieces could include a monologue from a play (not a film), a poem or an extract from a creative piece of writing. Girls will also be interviewed by the Director of Drama who will be keen to hear about their passion for Drama, their experiences to date and what they feel they have to offer Farnborough Hill.

Music Scholarships

We offer our Music Scholars a wide range of musical opportunities from solo performances in Mass, Assemblies or one of our regular Musical Soirees to taking a lead role in one of our choirs or ensembles. Our more experienced Scholars are invited to assist with the leading of school musical events and more junior ensembles and we support all our Scholars to promote the School in external events such as masterclasses, workshops or competitions. All Scholars are assigned a mentor from the Music Department. They meet regularly to discuss progress as well as identify opportunities for further enrichment and development.

Scholarships are tenable for seven years and Scholars are expected to study Music up to at least GCSE level. Scholars who choose not to study Music at GCSE or A level are expected to continue to make a significant contribution to the musical life of the School, participating fully and consistently in a range of school ensembles.

Assessment

Girls will be invited to perform a piece on each of their chosen instruments as well as discuss their musical interests and aspirations with the Director of Music. Auditions and interviews take place in January and places on the Scholarship Assessment Day will be confirmed after the entrance examination.

Whilst all-round musicianship is perhaps the most important consideration, potential Music Scholars will ideally have attained, or be on track for, Grade 5 level in their chosen discipline if they are offering a single instrument. We would consider those who have attained, or be on track for, Grade 4 on their main instrument if the candidate was also offering a second instrument or voice.

Thanks to being a music scholar, my confidence when performing has grown greatly, alongside my love of performing itself. This has been a key experience which has positively impacted many aspects of my life both in and out of music.

Year 10 Music Scholar

Sport Scholarships

Sport Scholars at Farnborough Hill enjoy a wide range of opportunities to compete for the School in local, county and national level competitions supported by extensive team coaching sessions. From Year 8, Scholars become part of the Sports Performance Group who meet every half term to discuss and explore issues such as dealing with nerves and pressure, balancing sport and other commitments and optimum nutrition.

We expect our Scholars to proactively contribute to a range of mainstream school sports across the whole year and our scholarship awards reflect this.

Sport Scholarships are worth between 5% and 20% of termly fees so potential Sport Scholars will therefore have typically already achieved a very high level in one or more sports, ideally competing at club level in one of our core sports. We do recognise that not everyone may have had opportunities to train and compete outside of school so we are also looking for girls who can demonstrate high potential in a sport such as Athletics, Cricket, Football, Hockey and Netball.

PE is a popular and expected choice for Sport Scholars at both GCSE and A level. Scholars who choose not to study PE at GCSE or A level are expected to continue to make a significant contribution to the sporting life of the School, consistently representing Farnborough Hill in at least one team.

Assessment

During the Scholarship Assessment Day, the girls can expect to complete a fitness assessment as well as participate in a wide variety of different sports. Girls will meet with the whole PE Department to talk more about their sport and their ambitions for the future. As well as ability, we will be assessing the girls’ attitude towards sport and training, how they respond to coaching and feedback and their leadership potential. Places on the Sport Scholar Assessment Day will be confirmed after the entrance examination.

How to Apply

Those interested in applying for an Art and Design, Drama, Music or Sport Scholarship in Year 7 should indicate this on the registration form and must register with us by Monday 6 November 2023.

A supplementary Scholarship application form will be sent to potential scholars during the Autumn Term and should be returned to us by 5.00 pm on Friday 17 November 2023.

Our scholarship assessments take place in the week commencing 15 January 2024 and we aim to give each girl every opportunity to demonstrate her skills whilst also experiencing a little of life at Farnborough Hill. Please understand that where we have exceptional demand for scholarships, we will shortlist candidates based on the scholarship application form. Invitations to the Scholarship Assessment Days will be sent with the outcome of the entrance examinations.

Before you go ahead, be aware that scholarships awarded in Year 7 are tenable for seven years and subject to an annual review of progress and commitment. In the case of Art and Design, scholars must study Art at both GCSE and A level. You are welcome to apply for multiple scholarships but girls in Years 7 - 11 may only hold one scholarship. The Deplanck Scholarship is awarded in exceptional circumstances to girls who show outstanding academic ability as well as exceptional ability in Art and Design, Drama, Music or Sport. The Deplanck Scholarship is awarded at the discretion of the School. It may not be applied for.

The value of all scholarships and awards will be deducted from school fees. With the exception of the Deplanck Scholarship, which is valued at 25% of termly fees, our scholarships and awards are valued at between 5% and 20% of termly fees. Most awards and scholarships granted are valued at 5% or 10% of the termly fees, with higher awards reserved for exceptional candidates. If a pupil is awarded a scholarship and is also in receipt of a Bursary, the value of the Bursary will be reviewed.

For full details of the admissions process please see here.