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Diploma Scholarships
SIXTH FORM DIPLOMA SCHOLARSHIPS
The Sixth Form Diploma Scholarship is awarded to outstanding Year 11 students as they embark on their Sixth Form studies at St Dunstan’s College. In addition to excellent academic results, our Diploma Scholars are leaders in the College community and contribute to all aspects of College life. They have an infectious enthusiasm for the subjects and activities they are passionate about, and their work in these fields inspires others to follow in their footsteps. They are able to organise their time to ensure they can meet deadlines and expectations, but always have time to devote to furthering their specialist knowledge or improving their skills. Above all, Sixth Form Diploma Scholars are role models for others in the College, adorning the white of their St Dunstan’s shield with flair and good humour.
Chosen by application and interview with the Headmaster in Michaelmas term of Year 11, Diploma Scholars will be required to lead societies in their favoured disciplines. Working with the Head of Sixth Form and the Director of the Forder programme, and various Heads of Department, scholars are trained in leading seminars, workshops, productions and evening shows, discussing their work with others to develop new ideas for wider display. This enrichment programme includes off-site visits to lectures and performances, such as to the opera at the ENO, and trips to places of academic and social interest, such as Kew Gardens. We also take the scholars away for a weekend to our Scholars Retreat on the UK coast where they have chance to learn alongside the Headmaster and with senior members of the College’s Leadership team. In return, scholars are expected to create, advertise and take responsibility for leading at least one student society, for at least two half-terms (either per year, or one term per each year), in their given field of expertise. They will have mentors from each of their areas who will support and shape their leadership potential to enable the scholars to grow into a champion in their field of expertise across the College.
All this is stimulus for creating an individual scholarship project. There is no standard format for a research project: it can be an essay, a work study, an artistic piece, a video documentary, or a mixture of all or any of these. Projects are presented in the November Scholar Symposium of Year 13 attended by an invited judge and parents. The Diploma Scholarship becomes a powerful platform for advanced skills to be developed, and enhanced university and future CVs created in advance of their peers.
The Sixth Form Diploma Scholarship may include a fee reduction, but as importantly includes time and mentoring of students to achieve their individual academic potential. Students are identified by scholars’ and are identified by scholars’ ties and badges, and by their prominent seating at school functions. They are given the post nominal designation (SFDS) on all College publications.
How do I apply for a Sixth Form Scholarship?
Those internal students already with the College can apply for a Diploma Scholarship through an interview process with the Headmaster and Head of Sixth Form in November of Year 11 – details of how to apply will come through form time and letter home to parents from Head of Sixth.
Those applying from outside of the College need to make known their intention to apply for the Diploma Scholarship when they enter the application process. On the basis of their first round scores and the area of expertise they wish to champion, a further interview may be held by a Head of Department in that field of interest. Please note that the Scholarship process is likely to then include interview with portfolio, or arranged on-site school visit by teachers in these fields. Full details regarding assessment, opportunities and the application forms can be found on the website. Typically, Diploma Scholars are nominated in the following areas:
DIPLOMA SCHOLARSHIP ACADEMIC
Expectations The student will excel academically across a range of subjects and hold scores and grade predictions at the highest levels. They will be interested in opening up interesting and unusual fields of interest, going beyond what one might expect of a good GCSE student. They are likely to enjoy discussing ideas and concepts at a higher level of discourse and they will want to lead, create and inspire younger students in their chosen field of ideas, For example, running Forder societies and clubs, entering national essay competitions, and appearing as academic champions at College Open Days.
Facilities ● J-Store research base ● 1-2-1 Head of Department mentoring ● Access to the Oxbridge programme
DIPLOMA SCHOLARSHIP ART & DESIGN
Expectations The Art Department looks for young artists who are passionate about the subject through developing their own work, by visiting galleries and museums on a regular basis and through having a range of artistic skills that allow for the demonstration of a high level of creativity. They will lead other year groups in Forder clubs, societies and bespoke artistic projects, including Open Day events and the Summer Festival.
Facilities ● Spacious art rooms ● Kiln ● Photography ● 1-2-1 mentoring
DIPLOMA SCHOLARSHIP DRAMATIC ARTS DIPLOMA SCHOLARSHIP MUSIC
Expectations Students should have been actively involved in dramatic productions throughout their time in education and be able to depict a passion that goes beyond the classroom. They will lead other year groups in dramatic training and productions, in Forder dramatic arts clubs, at Open Day events and in the Summer Festival. There is no minimum requirement in terms of professional body or amateur group membership but you should be able to verbally depict a passion for the subject with supporting examples of your practice in the field. This field of study may include but is not limited to acting, dance, stage management, costume design, light and sound technician, production management, film or media studies.
Facilities The new Performing Arts Centre, opening in late 2021, will contain; ● A state-of-the-art theatre ● Practice rooms ● Studios and open spaces for recitals ● Podcast facilities and a tech studio ● 1-2-1 mentoring Expectations Candidates are expected to be actively involved in music at their current school as well as outside it (e.g. being part of a choir or orchestra). On receipt of an award, they will become a lead practitioner of music encouraging other year groups via performance and taught music sessions. They will be lead Forder clubs, Open Day events and the Summer Festival. We welcome applications from students having taken ABRSM or Trinity Board exams as well as Suzuki students. Candidates are required to be at a level akin to at least Grade 6 in their main instrument.
Facilities The new Performing Arts Centre, opening in late 2021, will contain; ● A state-of-the-art theatre ● Practice rooms ● Studios and open spaces for recitals ● 1-2-1 mentoring
In addition, the Great Hall, regularly used for events, contains another Grand Piano and an Organ, which are available for students to use.
DIPLOMA SCHOLARSHIP SPORTS
Expectations Candidates should be champions for sport & physical activity in their current school, having demonstrated high levels of commitment and performance in a variety of areas. As a performer, we would expect applicants to be competing at county level or equivalent, depending on the sport they currently participate in. In addition to demonstrating full commitment to our competitive programmes across the Sixth Form, they will train and lead younger years in sporting excellence, particularly in Forder clubs and in team events and matches. They will also be expected to attend Open Days, and the help host the Summer Festival.
Facilities ● On-site swimming pool ● 10 acres of sport fields ● Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) ● Gym ● Fives courts ● 1-2-1 mentoring
DIPLOMA SCHOLARSHIP DESIGN ENGINEERING (new for 2022 entry)
Expectations The Design Engineering Department is looking for the next generation of Engineers and students with a real passion and aptitude for Design Engineering. Students will be fascinated by how things work and finding modern and practical ways to solve real world problems. They are expected to be subject champions across all year groups and key stages, most directly in running Forder clubs and societies. They will also be expected to lead on Open Days and as part of the Summer Festival.
Facilities ● 3D printer ● Brand new DT classrooms ● 1-2-1 mentoring
