1st, 2nd and 3rd Form Entry in 2025
Drama Scholarships
1st, 2nd and 3rd Form Entry in 2025
General Information
1. Eligibility
Each year scholarships are awarded to children of exceptional talent joining the School into the Top Year (Year 6), First Form (Year 7), Second Form (Year 8) or Third Form (Year 9). In due course, scholarships will be awarded to children joining the School at Sixth Form level (Year 12). Candidates are assessed through test, examination or observation, interview and reference. Scholarship awards may be made either for evidence of a high level of attainment and promise or exceptional specialist aptitude. Uppingham Cairo awards scholarships to candidates who show excellence in the following fields: Academic, Music, Art, Sport, Textiles (Fashion Design), Design & Technology, Drama and The Thring Award.
2. Limitations
Successful candidates should not expect to hold awards in more than one discipline. Candidates are not permitted to sit scholarships in more than two disciplines.
3. Awards
Uppingham Cairo is proud of its moral commitment to widening participation in the School, and applies Scholarship Awards in line with the policies of Uppingham School in the UK. To do so, we use as much of our funding as we can to enable as many young people as possible to benefit from an Uppingham Cairo education. For that reason, scholarship awards would not ordinarily exceed 25% of the fees.
At Uppingham Cairo a candidate may only hold one scholarship award at any one time so that they can specialise in their area of talent. This does not preclude them from participating in other areas of school life, however, the rich additional provision of each of our scholarship programmes requires pupils to manage their time judiciously within their field of expertise.
All candidates must have passed the standard academic entrance assessment and have been offered a place at the School prior to entering the scholarship process.
4. Age Limit
Candidates will normally be under 14 on or close to 1 September in the year of entry. In assessing merit, the ages of candidates is taken into consideration.
Further information about the Drama Scholarship may be obtained from the Head of Drama & Theatre Studies, Mrs Arabella Lawson (alawson@uppinghamcairo.com)
Drama Scholarships Summary
What does Uppingham Cairo look for in a potential Scholar?
What is involved in the selection process?
Raw potential, polished talent or both! There is no one type of Drama Scholar and the more diverse the range the better. What is most important is a want to succeed and improve, a desire to be involved and learn new skills and an enthusiasm for all things theatrical. A potential Scholar will love nothing more than being fully immersed in a production, be that as an actor, director or designer. They will thrive when busy and be a role model for the Drama and Theatre Department. They will be creative thinkers and innovative creators and will inspire those around them to be the same.
A full day in the Barbara Matthews Theatre where candidates will audition a rehearsed monologue in front of the Head of Drama and Theatre Studies. This will be followed by a discussion where the candidate talks through their portfolio. They will also take part in an improvisation and devising workshop, a LAMDA lesson, and have a tour of the Theatre to meet the team.
What are the expectations of a Scholar?
Drama scholars will be expected to engage fully in the co-curricular theatre programme and be excellent ambassadors for the Drama Department. They should show qualities of enthusiasm and motivation for drama in their peer groups and their Houses. They should attend all performances of School, House and other drama, including all theatre trips where invited and be a strong presence in the Drama Department.
They should attend LAMDA lessons to improve their skills and seek to utilise all opportunities on offer to develop their craft. They should demonstrate exceptional performance skills on or off stage to ensure that the quality and reputation of our productions is sustained. Drama Scholars are encouraged to be involved in all major school productions, throughout their time at Uppingham Cairo.
There is a plethora ofopportunity during the academic year for performers and backstage crew. Pupils are encouraged to offer support for lighting, sound, stage management, costume and make up.In any of these roles, holders of a Drama scholarship will demonstrate reliability, commitment, teamwork and a high level of skill.
What are the expectations of a Scholar (continued)?
There is the expectation that they will study Drama as an academic subject at IGCSE and A level / IBDP. If a Drama Scholar chooses to drop the subject they may be required to resign the scholarship, unless the Head of Drama and Theatre Studies is content that their leadership of extra-curricular drama meets the terms of the scholarship.
The Head of Drama and Theatre Studies will act as a mentor to each Scholar, providing support and guidance through a termly meeting to review progress and discuss personal goals. The Head of Drama and Theatre Studies will continuously oversee their progression and development whilst preparing them in their career choices if they aspire to a career in the Performing Arts. All scholarships are reviewed annually and their continuance is dependent upon satisfactory conduct, attitude, participation and progress. During a review, holders of awards are expected to assess their own contribution and to set targets for themselves.
Drama at Uppingham Cairo
Our aim is to ignite and nurture a passion for excellence in Drama and Theatre whilst making full use of our outstanding facilities, including our fully equipped theatre and black box.
Enthusiasm and enjoyment sits at the core of Drama here at Uppingham Cairo There are drama opportunities for everyone at Uppingham Cairo with a busy annual schedule which we encourage everyone to get involved with, be it on stage or behind the scenes.
We place particular emphasis on the process undertaken to produce a performance by maximising pupil ownership and responsibility. When the lights go up, staff input is minimal and we hand over control to our pupils who operate the show, support the actors behind the scenes or perform their part with impressive results. This level of trust and high expectation instils in our pupils a sense of accountability, pride and fulfilment.
Our Sixth Form performers will grow into theatre makers rather than just actors and when not involved as a performer, will assist on main School productions. Sixth Form pupils will be encouraged to produce and direct their own production. This will involve choosing the play, holding auditions, directing rehearsals and sourcing their own set, props and costume.
Regular access to drama workshops, trips and visits to see a range of live theatre are offered throughout the year so pupils can continue to develop an extensive range of skills from experts in the profession.
Uppingham Cairo pupils play a key part behind the scenes in the Theatre. A training ground for them will be the Tech Club, where pupils will work alongside our Theatre Technicians, learning how the equipment works and how to use it safely and effectively. Pupils will have the opportunity to operate the sound and lighting for productions as well as Stage Manage or support in costume and make up.
Alongside the main School productions, a number of smaller studio performances will happen in our blackbox Drama Studio.
The Lower School Dramatic Society as well as our Technical Theatre Club will offer opportunities for those pupils wishing to improve their skills. Many of our pupils will take part in LAMDA lessons with extremely successful outcomes.
Uppingham Cairo’s Barbara Matthews Performing Arts Centre and Theatre is a venue for the school and the wider community, and supports our high-quality drama provision with first-class teaching and performance facilities.
Assessment:
Wednesday 5 or Thursday 6 February (Candidates attend on one day only)
Closing date for Applications: 13 January 2025
Drama Scholarships
Entry in 2025
1. Dates and Arrangements
The Drama Scholars Assessment Day will take place on Wednesday 5 or Thursday 6 February at Uppingham Cairo. Candidates attend on one day only, and will arrive at 8.30am and will be free to depart at 4.30pm. All candidates will be provided with a morning snack, lunch and afternoon tea.
2. Application Procedure
The application form should be completed and returned to the Master of the Scholars no later than 13 January 2025
Potential scholars are expected to have achieved a strong pass in Uppingham Cairo’s Academic Admissions Tests.
3. The Assessment
The assessment will take the form of three tasks: an audition, a LAMDA lesson and an interview.
The Audition
On the day of auditions, candidates will be asked to perform a prepared monologue taken from a scripted piece of drama. The piece should reflect the pupil’s ability to use facial, physical and vocal skills to best advantage. Candidates may be asked to rework their chosen monologue to see if they can take direction and improvise from their script.
Candidates may also be given an unseen piece of script to read and prepare before performing it to the best of their ability.
LAMDA Lesson
Candidates will work with one of our LAMDA teachers, preparing a piece to perform. They will have the opportunity to spend five minutes going over a monologue before presenting it to the teacher. Candidates will be then given constructive feedback and be expected to respond accordingly to it before performing it again.
The Interview
The candidate will be interviewed by the Head of Drama & Theatre Studies. Candidates may wish to bring with them a portfolio or scrapbook documenting their theatrical experiences and achievements. The Head of Drama & Theatre Studies will ask candidates about their interests and appreciation of theatre and drama.