NHSG Awards Programme for September 2025 Entry by ncl38

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NHSG Awards Programme

Entry September 2025

Helping your daughter be the girl she wants to be.

Newcastle High School for Girls is proud to offer an awards programme for girls joining our Senior School at Year 7 and Year 12.

It is our responsibility to create an environment that encourages excellence and educates tomorrow’s leaders, trailblazers and world-shapers which is why we believe in supporting and rewarding the brightest, most talented, gifted and dedicated girls, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Part of the Girls’ Day School Trust family, Newcastle High School for Girls has a history of ensuring all our pupils fulfil their potential, supported by the NHSG Awards programme.

This brochure explains more about the awards available for entry to Year 7 and Year 12 in September 2025*.

In summary, the NHSG Awards for 2025 include:

• NHSG Year 7 Scholar Awards, Year 7 – see page 3

• NHSG Sixth Form Scholar Awards, Year 12 – see pages 3-4

• Year 7 Exhibition Awards (Dance, Drama, Music, Sport) – see page 6

• Sixth Form Exhibition Awards (Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Sport) – see pages 7-8

• Year 7 and Year 12 Bursary Awards – see pages 9-10 Applications can be made online via our website and the application deadline for all awards is Friday 6th December 2024. Late applications cannot be considered.

If you would like to discuss your application, please contact our Admissions Manager, Miss Howe, on 0191 201 6511, or email admissions@ncl.gdst.net. www.newcastlehigh.gdst.net

*The awards shown in this brochure are available for 2025 entry only.

NHSG Scholar Awards for entry into Year 7 and Year 12 only

Award Application deadline - Friday 6th December

NHSG Scholar Awards

Available at Year 7 and Year 12 entry, these non-means-tested awards recognise academic excellence and are based on exceptional performance in our entrance examinations for Year 7, or a satisfactory personal statement and exceptional performance in the Sixth Form Scholars’ Examination and Interview for Year 12. Those awarded will receive a remission of school fees of up to 50% per year for the duration of a girl’s school career at NHSG.

NHSG Head’s Scholar Award

This prestigious award is reserved for the girl who achieves the highest combined result across all our entrance examination papers in Year 7, and a girl who achieves the highest combined result in the Sixth Form Scholars’ Award Process and demonstrates all-round academic ability. This award is subject to approval from the Head. The award is for the value of up to a 50% remission of school fees.

NHSG Scholar Awards

NHSG Scholar Awards are reserved for girls who perform exceptionally well in our Year 7 entrance examinations, or in the Sixth Form Scholars’ Award Process, and demonstrate all-round academic ability.

The Scholar Awards available are for up to a 30% remission of school fees. The actual number and amounts awarded will be dependent on the performance of pupils in our entrance examinations or Sixth Form Scholar Awards Process.

Making an Award application - Year 7

All applicants completing our Year 7 entrance assessment are considered for a Scholar Award.

Parents of pupils who are joining NHSG for the first time are required to complete the school entrance application process on our online admissions portal, after which their daughter will be required to undergo our entrance assessment process. This means for Year 7 applicants they will:

• Complete the NHSG Year 7 entrance examinations on 11th January 2025. These will include English and Maths examinations as well as the CEM Select Entrance Assessment which measures verbal, nonverbal and mathematical skills

• Attend an interview with a member of the School’s academic team

• Provide a recent report from their current school

Pupils currently in Year 6 at NHSG (and who were therefore assessed for entrance when they joined the School), will not be assessed again for entrance to Senior School but will all undertake the Year 7 entrance examinations in January 2025. These will be the same examinations as those taken by girls applying to join NHSG in Year 7. All girls in Year 6 at NHSG will therefore be considered for a NHSG Scholar Award.

Making an Award application - Year 12

There is a Sixth Form Scholar Award application process which is in addition to the admissions application process.

Parents of pupils joining NHSG for the first time in Sixth Form are required to complete the school entrance application on our online admissions portal. In order to be considered for a place, Year 12 applicants are required to:

• Provide their most recent set of predicted GCSE grades

• Provide a recent report from their current school

• Advise on preferred choice of subjects for A Level Study

• Attend an interview with members of the School’s Senior Leadership Team

Applicants offered a place in Sixth Form will then be eligible to apply for a NHSG Scholar Award subject to meeting the application deadline.

Pupils currently in Year 11 at NHSG (and who were therefore assessed for entrance when they joined the School), will be required to meet the minimum GCSE grades for Sixth Form, as set out in our Sixth Form brochure, in order to be eligible for a Sixth Form Scholar Award. Pupils will however be required to complete the School’s Award Application Process detailed overleaf.

Year 12 Scholar Award Assessment

The assessment process for a Sixth Form Scholar Award is as follows:

• Girls are required to complete an application and personal statement, and undertake a NHSG Sixth Form Scholars’ Examination and can choose between:

- A Mathematics exam which will comprise three sections: Algebra, Number, Trigonometrey. The questions will be at higher GCSE level (Grades 7-9) and involve applying skills to a variety of mathematical problems. OR

- An essay-based exam requiring intelligent discussion of a question about a topical, philosophical, or general theme.

Both papers are one hour in length.

• The highest performing pupils in the examination will progress to the second stage of the application process and be invited to an interview with members of the School’s Senior Leadership Team to discuss their personal statement and examination paper.

The deadline for submission of your daughter’s personal statement is Friday 6th December 2024 and this should be sent by email to admissions@ncl.gdst.net. The examination will be held on Saturday 11th January 2025 and interviews will take place in February 2025.

Please note for all Scholar

Awards:

A girl receiving a NHSG Year 7 or Sixth Form Scholar Award is expected to show dedication and commitment to her studies and to the wider life of the School throughout her time at NHSG.

A Scholar Award may be combined with a Bursary Award which is subject to means-testing.

Applications received after 6th December 2024 will not be considered.

The School’s decision on awards is final and will be confirmed in March 2025.

If your daughter is already in receipt of a NHSG Year 7 monetary award of the same value or a higher amount than a NHSG Sixth Form Scholar Award, there will be no further monetary award made. Instead your daughter will, if successful, receive an honorary (nonmonetary) Sixth Form Scholar Award. If your daughter’s NHSG Year 7 Scholar Award is for a lesser amount than the NHSG Sixth Form Scholar Award, then the higher monetary award would supersede this, to a maximum of 50%.

Year 7 Exhibition Awards

Award Application deadline - Friday 6th December

Exhibition Awards for Dance, Drama, Music and Sport

We offer one specialist award in each exhibition category for girls joining Year 7 who are gifted and talented in Dance, Drama, Music or Sport and show significant potential. The value of the Exhibition Award is a fixed sum remission of school fees of up to £1,000 per year for the duration of a girl’s school career and is intended to help support the pupil to pursue her development in her chosen field.

Making an application

In addition to completing the school application form, girls applying for an award must complete a separate Exhibition Award application, providing information about their Dance, Drama, Music or Sports achievements to date. After undertaking and meeting the requirements of the NHSG Year 7 entrance assessment as detailed on page 3, applicants will be invited to a meeting/audition with our Head of Dance, Drama, Music or PE (depending on which Exhibition Award the application is for) where they will be required to demonstrate skills and technical knowledge.

Dance

Girls applying for the Exhibition Award for Dance should have attained Grade 3 Distinction in a Dance examination and/or be enrolled on a pre-vocational training programme; for example, Royal Ballet Junior Associates or the Dance City CAT. Applicants will need to demonstrate how they can actively contribute to Dance at NHSG.

A girl receiving an Exhibition Award for Dance will be expected to represent the School in Dance, take part in school performances and be a proactive member of our Dance co-curricular programme throughout her time at school.

Drama

Girls applying for the Exhibition Award for Drama must have participated in drama/theatre clubs outside of school and have played a significant role in a production on stage. A certificate in acting with LAMDA or equivalent would be an advantage but not compulsory. Overall the applicant should have a genuine love of performance and acting. Applicants will need to demonstrate how they can actively contribute to Drama at NHSG.

A girl receiving an Exhibition Award for Drama will be expected to represent the School in Drama, take part in school performances and be a proactive member of our Drama co-curricular programme throughout her time at NHSG.

Music

Girls applying for an Exhibition Award for Music should play at least one instrument (which may include voice) and have achieved a minimum of Grade 3 Distinction in a music examination, or equivalent. They should also be able to demonstrate a degree of natural musicianship and love of music.

A girl receiving an Exhibition Award for Music will be expected to represent the School in Music, take part in school concerts and performances and be a proactive member of our Music co-curricular programme throughout her time at NHSG.

Sports

Girls applying for the Exhibition Award for Sport should play or compete in two or more sports outside of school, play for a recognised club and train consistently. They should be able to evidence their participation and achievements to date as well as their sporting dreams.

A girl receiving an Exhibition Award for Sport will be expected to represent the School in at least one sport and be a proactive member of our sport co-curricular programme throughout her time at NHSG.

Please note:

You may only apply for one Exhibition Award.

An Exhibition Award may be combined with a NHSG Scholar Award (but not a Head’s Scholar Award) and/or a Bursary Award subject to means-testing and academic performance in our Year 7 entrance assessment.

Applications received after 6th December 2024 will not be considered for an Exhibition.

The School’s decision on awards is final and will be confirmed in March 2025.

An annual assessment will be carried out to ensure recipients are still meeting the expectations of an Exhibition Awardee. The award may be withdrawn if expectations are not met.

Year 12 Exhibition Awards Exhibition Awards for Art and Design, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport

We offer one specialist award in each exhibition category for girls joining Year 12 who are gifted and talented in Art and Design, Dance, Drama, Music or Sport and show significant potential. The value of the Exhibition Award is a fixed sum remission of school fees of up to £1,000 per year for the duration of Years 12 and 13 at NHSG and is intended to help support the pupil to pursue her development in her chosen field.

Making an application

In addition to completing the school application form (external applicants only), girls applying for this award must complete a separate Exhibition Award application, providing information about their Art and Design,Dance, Drama, Music or Sports interests and achievements to date.

Applicants will be invited to a meeting/audition with our with our Head of Art and Design, Dance, Drama, Music or PE (depending on which Exhibition Award the application is for) where they will be required to demonstrate skills and technical knowledge. Applications must be made by Friday 6th December 2024.

Art and Design

Girls applying for the Exhibition Award for Art and Design must take at least one from A Level Fine Art, Textiles and Graphics, and should have an interest in visiting galleries and exhibitions outside of school. Girls will be required to have created a portfolio demonstrating their own work in any genre of Art and Design (drawing, painting, photography, textiles, graphics etc).

Overall, the applicant should have a genuine love of, and ability, in Art and Design. Applicants will need to demonstrate how they can actively contribute to Art and Design at NHSG.

As well as taking an Art subject at A Level, a girl receiving an Exhibition Award for Art and Design will be expected to be a proactive memvber of our Art and Design co-curricular programme throughout her time at NHSG and to support the running of an Art and Design club within School.

Dance

Girls applying for the Exhibition Award for Dance must take A Level Dance and should currently be enrolled on a prevocational training programme, for example Royal Ballet Associates, Phoenix Dance Academy, Gateway Youth or the Dance City CAT or be accessing dance through private dance schools.

As well as taking Dance at A Level, a girl receiving an Exhibition Award for Dance will be expected to represent the School in Dance, be part of the pupil leadership team, take part in school performances and be a proactive member of our Dance co-curricular programme throughout her time at school.

Year 12 Exhibition Awards

Drama

Girls applying for the Exhibition Award for Drama must take A Level Drama and Theatre, and should have currently participated in drama/theatre clubs, and have played a significant role in a production on stage.

Overall, the applicant should have a genuine love of performance and acting and be keen to develop their skills through Sixth Form. Applicants will need to demonstrate how they can actively contribute to Drama at NHSG.

As well as taking Drama at A Level, a girl receiving an Exhibition Award for Drama will be expected to take part in school performances and be a proactive member of our Drama co-curricular programme throughout her time at NHSG.

Music

Girls applying for an Exhibition Award for Music must take A Level Music and should play at least one instrument (which may include voice) and have achieved a minimum of Grade 6 Distinction in a music examination, or equivalent. They should also be able to demonstrate a degree of natural musicianship and love of music.

As well as taking Music at A Level, a girl receiving an Exhibition Award for Music will be expected to take part in school concerts and performances and be a proactive member of our Music co-curricular programme throughout her time at NHSG.

Sport

Girls applying for the Exhibition Award for Sport should compete in at least one sport outside of school, play for a recognised club and train consistently. They should be able to evidence their participation and achievements to date.

Applicants will be required to submit video evidence of recent performances and will be invited to an interview with our PE team.

Please note:

Your daughter may only apply for one Exhibition Award.

An Exhibition Award may be combined with a NHSG Scholar Award (but not a Head’s Scholar Award) and/ or a Bursary Award. A Year 12 Exhibition Award is only available to pupils who are not already in receipt of a Year 7 Exhibition Award.

Applications received after 6th December 2024 will not be considered for an Exhibition.

The School’s decision on awards is final and will be confirmed in March 2025.

An annual assessment will be carried out to ensure recipients are still meeting the expectations of an Exhibition Awardee. The award may be withdrawn if expectations are not met. Award Application

Our Bursary Awards, transforming lives and raising aspirations...

Both the Girls’ Day School Trust and Newcastle High School for Girls were founded by philanthropists committed to making outstanding education available to young women –a legacy we are proud to continue today. We believe every girl who is bright and eager to learn should be given the opportunity to fulfil her potential regardless of financial circumstances, therefore we offer a limited number of bursaries to assist girls joining us in Year 7 and Year 12.

NHSG Bursary Awards available in Year 7 and Year 12

We have a limited number of bursaries available for entry into Year 7 and into Year 12 and these can be for a remission of fees of up to 100% per year.

All bursaries are awarded for the duration of a girl’s school career at NHSG, but are subject to annual means testing.

To be considered for a NHSG Bursary Award:

1. A girl must have performed exceptionally well in our Year 7 entrance examinations or at GCSE if entering Sixth Form

2. The girl’s parents must be assessed as eligible for a Bursary Award by the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) Financial Means Assessment

NHSG Reece Awards, Year 12

NHSG is uniquely placed to support the next generation of young female engineers and, with thanks to The Reece Foundation, we are able to offer the brightest and most able potential engineers access to an outstanding education without financial barriers. The Reece Award can be for a remisision of up to 100% of school fees.

Applications for Reece Awards are invited from girls in maintained secondary schools who will be completing their GCSEs in summer 2025. In addition to meeting the criteria for a NHSG Bursary Award, successful candidates will be able to demonstrate a strong interest in, and aptitude for, engineering as a future career; will be predicted grades 7 - 9 in maths and science subjects at GCSE; and will be prepared to follow A Levels in STEM subjects (sciences, technology, mathematics) which will equip them for application to university engineering courses.

Making an application for a bursary

Parents of pupils who are joining NHSG for the first time are required to complete the school entrance application form and tick the box requesting financial assistance.

For pupils currently in Year 6 or Year 11 at NHSG, please contact the Admissions Manager for more information (admissions@ncl.gdst.net).

Applications and completion of the GDST Financial Means Assessment must be made by Friday 6th December 2024

GDST Financial Means Assessment

On receipt of your application we will advise you of the next steps, which will include completing an assessment of your family income and financial means. Bursary applicants will be assessed by the GDST and our staff may also make an appointment to visit you at home.

On completion of this process, the GDST will advise us on whether you are eligible and the maximum amount of financial assistance we can offer.

For example:

• If your family’s assessed income and resources are below £102,000 a year, you may be eligible for some support

• If your family’s annual income is less than £44,000 a year you may be offered a full bursary

• For families whose annual income is between these levels, a sliding scale determines the amount of assistance you may be offered

A girl’s academic performance will be a key consideration when the School is deciding whether or not to award a bursary.

Bursary Awards

for entry into Year 7 and Year 12 only

Bursary Award assessment criteria continued from page 9

Academic Assessment

Entry at Year 7

A pupil’s academic eligibility for a Bursary Award will be assessed through our entrance assessment process where girls are required to:

• Attend an interview (subject to performance in the entrance examination)

• Provide a recent report from their current school

Entry at Year 12

A pupil’s academic eligibility for a Bursary Award will be assessed through our entrance assessment process where girls are required to:

• Provide their predicted GCSE grades

• State their preferred choices of subjects for A Level study

• Attend an interview with a member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team

• Provide a recent report from their current school

Based on the above a pupil may be offered a place in our Sixth Form and a Bursary Award provisionally. Confirmation of a place and/ or Bursary Award will be made in August 2025 subject to her achieving the GCSE grades required and following receipt by the School of proof of GCSE grades attained.

Please note:

Bursary Awards are made based on exceptional academic performance demonstrated through the School’s assessment process.

A girl in receipt of a bursary will be expected to show dedication and commitment to her studies and to wider School life throughout her time at NHSG.

A Bursary Award is reassessed every year and may be reduced or removed if the family’s financial circumstances have changed and no longer fulfil the eligibility criteria or a girl is not showing the expected level of dedication and commitment to her studies.

A Bursary Award may be combined with a NHSG Scholar Award and an Exhibition Award.

Applications and submissions of the GDST Financial Means Assessment made after 6th December 2024 will not be considered for a Bursary Award.

The School’s decision on awards is final and will be confirmed in March 2025.

Additional Information

All offers for an award will be made in writing and subject to the terms and conditions included within that offer. The offer will be final and no further adjustments will be made.

The tenure of any award is intended to be for the duration of the girl’s school career at NHSG, provided that her academic progress, commitment and dedication, general conduct and contribution to the School remains at a high level.

On accepting an award, parents and, where appropriate, pupils will be asked to sign an agreement which will outline in detail their obligations. This agreement will remain in place throughout the time the pupil remains at NHSG. There will be a mid-year and end of year review of each awardee to ensure that all obligations are being met.

In general:

Pupils in receipt of an award are required to contribute significantly to the School and the particular areas set out in their offer letter and agreement. They are required to work hard and contribute positively to the life of the School and set a good example to other pupils.

Exhibition Awardees are expected to show continued commitment in the discipline the Exhibition has been awarded. Parents of award recipients are expected to work in partnership with the School and support and encourage their daughters to uphold their obligations.

Failure to meet these obligations may lead to the withdrawal of the award.

All information is correct at the time of publication of this brochure, but may be subject to change.