Academic Scholarships and Awards

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

Academic Scholarships and Awards

Downe House offers Scholarships and Exhibitions to girls with exceptional academic potential. Our Award Holders play an important role in the academic life of the School, inspiring others to strive for excellence and sharing a culture of academic endeavour whilst at the same time fulfilling their own potential.

Types of Award

We offer two types of Award. Full Scholarships are given to pupils who show exceptional academic ability and commitment, while Exhibitions are offered to pupils who have impressed us with their approach to study and who we feel show potential.

Value of Academic Awards

The position of Academic Award Holder is an honour and privilege, allowing the recipient to play a prominent role in the life of the School and to take on leadership opportunities. Award Holders benefit from regular mentoring and have access to enrichment opportunities and supercurricular opportunities unique to the Scholars’ Programme, enriching their intellectual life through stimulating and substantive academic endeavour. Scholarship Awards do not carry fee remission but families can apply for assistance with fees through our bursary scheme.

The Scholars’ Programme

The Scholars’ Programme aims to foster a culture of academic endeavour where enjoyment of learning is unlimited. Academic Award Holders have a wide range of choices and opportunities available to have their intellectual life enriched through stimulating and substantive academic endeavours, and they take a lead in encouraging and sharing their love of learning with their peers.

• A Scholar Mentor (in addition to their Academic Tutor) who will offer advice on appropriate opportunities within the Scholars’ Programme and provide support on maintaining a balance between academics and other enrichment activities.

• A Scholars’ Class Note Book and Teams page that directs pupils to opportunities to

extend and deepen their academic interests and understanding, and to hone their academic skills (e.g. essay competitions, MOOCs, podcasts, wider reading, work experience opportunities).

• Access to a wealth of bespoke opportunities, such as the Twilight Lecture series, workshops, lectures or seminars.

• Academic Award Holders are expected to join the Elective Programme. In addition, Scholars will be given opportunities to improve their leadership skills, for example through running one of the academic enrichment societies.

• Academic Award Holders are expected to play a full and active role in lessons, and on the Scholars’ Programme through commitment, engagement and attendance at societies, clubs and lectures, where appropriate. They are encouraged to develop leadership skills by making presentations, leading discussions and sharing knowledge with peers (for example, the Lower Fifth Scholars’ Research Seminar - Footsteps).

• The Scholars’ Programme encourages girls to embrace opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom by presentation at academic conferences, entering essay competitions and scientific, maths or linguistics Olympiads, and undertaking sustained research into areas of their choosing, helping to refine highly desirable academic skills.

• The Scholars’ Programme offers the opportunity to belong to a community of like-minded individuals who share a love of learning for the joy of it. There are many social events each term such as film and pizza evenings, book clubs (at Downe House and with boys’ schools), quiz nights, board games evenings and trips (e.g. Bletchley Park).

Eligibility and Procedures

Academic Scholarships are awarded at 11+, 12+, 13+ and 16+.

Selection of Scholars and Exhibitioners at 11+ and 12+ is by written examination in the following papers: English, Mathematics, Science and French Scholarship Papers and an interview by the Headmistress, Assistant Head of Lower School and the Director of Scholars and Enrichment.

Selection of Scholars and Exhibitioners at 13+ is by written examination in the following papers: English, Mathematics, Science, French or Spanish, with Latin or Greek optional. and an interview by the Headmistress, Assistant Head of Upper School and the Director of Scholars and Enrichment.

Selection of Scholars and Exhibitioners at 16 + is by written examination of three papers (General Scholarship Paper and two subject papers chosen by the candidate) and an interview by the Headmistress, Assistant Head of Sixth Form, the Director of Scholars and Enrichment and an external interviewer.

Candidates must be under 12, under 13 or under 14 on 1 September following the examination. Girls sitting for entry to the Sixth Form must be in the final year of their GCSE studies or equivalent.

Current headteachers are asked to write reports on their candidate’s academic ability, progress, and personal qualities, which will be given careful consideration.

There is no examination fee, but girls who are not already registered for the School will be required to register before siting for an Award and it is likely they will already be holding a conditional or unconditional place.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What qualities are looked for in a successful Academic Award Holder?

The most important characteristic is to demonstrate a genuine love of learning and a thirst for knowledge. Successful pupils will show intellectual curiosity, a natural motivation to explore, the ability to communicate ideas, a passion for learning, independent and creative thinking, an interest in the wider world, be generous in their support of other pupils and encourage learning in others.

How can my daughter prepare for the examination?

No special preparation is needed for the examination; however, candidates may find it helpful to see an overview of skills or subject knowledge required for the examination. Past papers are also available on request via the registrar (nutta@downehouse.net). From Summer term 2024, we will have specimen papers for 13+ available on the website - and in due course 11+ and 12+.

The best way for pupils to prepare for the examination is to read as much as possible, including novels, newspapers and journals that are age appropriate but challenging. Making the most of any learning opportunities that they have at their current school and also practising one or two of the past Scholarship papers will help candidates to become familiar with the format and style of questioning.

What do the interviews entail?

The interviews will be a chance to talk about topics of interest to the candidates. They should be comfortable with discussing topics that they have been studying and be familiar with current affairs. At 11+, 12+ and 13+, we expect candidates to be able to respond to a stimulus article that elicits critical thinking, in particular relating to the humanities and to current affairs. It is likely that they will be asked to debate some topical issues, for example equal rights, the role of technology in society, environmental challenges, assisted suicide. Whilst they would not be expected to have a detailed knowledge of all areas, they would be expected to be able to think through the possible arguments surrounding these issues.

What is expected of an Academic Award Holder?

Academic Scholars and Exhibitioners are expected to continue to demonstrate the qualities which they demonstrated at interview: a genuine love of learning and a thirst for knowledge, intellectual curiosity, the ability to communicate ideas, a passion for learning, independent and creative thinking, an interest in the wider world, and the willingness to encourage learning in others. Whilst there is no expectation of a certain standard of performance in examinations, Academic Award Holders are expected to achieve effort grades above the average for their year group. They must demonstrate a high level of focus and active participation in lessons and participation in

wider enrichment opportunities. They must also demonstrate full engagement in the Scholars’ Programme. These high expectations should not be seen as onerous, and Award Holders are expected to enjoy the intellectual challenge as they progress through the School.

How long is the Award held for?

Academic Scholarships and Exhibitions are valid in the first instance up the end of GCSEs, providing the Award Holder maintains a suitable standard of endeavour and conduct and fulfils the duties required of an Academic Award Holder. Awards are reassessed at this stage to ensure that the Award Holder has maintained a focus on academic excellence before entry to the Sixth Form. At 16+ Awards are held for the duration of the Sixth Form.

Decisions about Scholarships

If a candidate performs well in the Assessment Day test, they will be invited to sit the Scholarship examinations. A candidate’s current school or parents may put their name forward and their performance in the Assessment Day tests should give evidence to support this proposal.

The final decision about all matters relating to scholarships lies with the Headmistress. For general enquiries about scholarships, please contact Miss Angela Nutt, Registrar on nutta@ downehouse.net or 01635 204701

For further information about the Scholars’ Programme, please contact Mrs Maria Reichardt, Director of Scholars and Enrichment on reichardm@downehouse.net or 01635 204786