Bursaries and Scholarships

About a third of our parents benefit from reduced fees, either through scholarships or bursaries.

Bursaries

We wish to ensure that Caterham School is accessible to talented students, irrespective of parental income. Therefore, any prospective pupil from a low-income family is eligible to apply for a Caterham Bursary to obtain means-tested financial support in respect of day fees. Bursaries do not preclude pupils from holding a scholarship award.

Bursaries can be offered to new pupils and those who are already in the school and whose families have suffered sudden and unexpected financial hardship.

When applying, parents must indicate in a separate letter to the Registrar that a bursary may be needed. The Bursar will provide an application form which should be completed and returned in strict confidence. For new pupils the award of bursarial support is subject to qualifying in the entrance examination and, if, as is likely, the demand exceeds the number available, bursaries will be awarded with reference to performance in the entrance assessment.

The granting of a bursary is discretionary. In making its decisions, the School considers a wide range of appropriate matters including, but not limited to, parental/guardian income (from all sources), assets (including personal property) and other matters that are particular to the pupil such as family circumstances. All Bursaries are reassessed annually.

Bursaries are also available for the sons and daughters of URC Clergy, Regular Forces and FCO personnel.

Scholarships

Scholarships are assessed with a view to encouraging pupils. The breadth and depth of the awards can vary each year depending on the quality of applicants. All 11+ and 13+ day pupil candidates are automatically considered for Academic Scholarships but specific application forms are required for other scholarships.

Scholarships are available to registered candidates and are all based on assessment. In the event of there being no outstanding candidates for a particular award the money may be allocated to another category.
The awards are made without regard to parental income and are worth a percentage of the school fees. The scholarship will remain throughout a pupil's school career provided they maintain the expected standards.
Candidates in receipt of a specific scholarship award, eg Art, Music, Science, Sport must play an active part in these areas throughout their school life to retain their award.
Even if a bursary is awarded as a percentage of the annual fee, a scholarship may also be given.
A pupil who pays reduced fees because of a bursary may also be awarded an honorary scholarship, which can be implemented if future family income were to increase.
There is no set number of scholarship awards but a sum equivalent to ten full fees may be given each year.

Academic Scholarships
These are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and can represent up to 50% of the fees.
At 11+ and 13+: All external candidates who have registered, and those pupils progressing from Caterham Preparatory School, are automatically considered for an Academic Scholarship. The scholarships are awarded solely on the basis of our entrance examinations and interviews.

At 16+: Candidates applying for Academic Scholarships are required to sit a general paper and two other papers in subjects of their choice that they will be studying at A Level. Examinations and interviews take place in the November preceding entry the following academic year. These scholarships are available to all external candidates, and to internal candidates not already holding an award. Candidates must still satisfy the entry requirement for Sixth Form.

In addition to Academic Scholarships, awards may be made for specific subjects, eg languages.

All Rounder Scholarships
These are awarded at 13+ and can represent up to 25% of the fees. These scholarships are awarded to candidates who are academically sound and achieve scholarship standard in two of the following subjects: Art, Drama, Music or Sport. They should be a genuine ‘all-rounder’ with real evidence of potential leadership.

Art Scholarships
These are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and can represent up to 25% of the fees. Candidates wishing to be considered for a scholarship will initially be asked to submit a portfolio of their work for assessment by the Director of Art & Design. The portfolio should reflect the breadth and depth of personal interest and may include paintings, prints, drawings and photographs of three-dimensional work. Portfolios will be returned. Successful candidates will be invited to attend a scholarship interview and to undertake a still life drawing. Sketchbooks and a selection of the work from the portfolio should be made available at the interview. All Art Scholars are expected to be fully committed to the school’s Art programme.

Music Scholarships & Awards
Music Scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and can represent up to 25% of the fees. In addition, up to four exhibitions may be offered, each to the value of free instrumental music tuition on one or more instruments in school. These awards are made on the basis of musical potential as well as actual achievement. As a guide we would expect students to have achieved grade 4 or above aged 11+; grade 5 or above at 13+ and grade 7/8 at 16+ on their principal instrument. Auditions take place early in the Spring Term during which candidates are required to perform one substantial piece (or two shorter pieces) on their principal instrument, and one piece on a second instrument (if studied). There are also sight-reading, aural tests and an informal viva voce with members of the Music department.

All Music award holders are expected to be ambassadors for the music department taking part in the annual music award holders concert and playing active roles in the co-curricular music programme.

Sports Scholarships
These are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and can represent up to 25% of the fees. Candidates are expected to show exceptional promise in at least one sport and have an established record of achievement in one of Caterham School’s major sports at their current school, and at club/county level. Candidates will be required to take part in drills and game situations to show evidence of their positional and tactical awareness as well as skill, agility and fitness level. Records of achievement and school recommendations will be taken into consideration. All Sports Scholars are expected to be fully committed to the School’s annual sports programme.

Boarding/International Scholarships
We are prepared to consider awarding a scholarship of up to 25% of the fees to a pupil who is judged to have the potential to make a significant contribution to the boarding community. If applicable at 16+, arrangements can be made for Academic Scholarship assessments to take place overseas. Please contact the Registrar for details.

Science Scholarships
These are awarded at 16+ and can represent up to 25% of the fees. Candidates are expected to show exceptional promise in at least two subjects (chosen from Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Maths) and have an established record of achievement in the subjects at their current school. The Head of Science will interview candidates.

For further details please contact the Registrar, Mrs Mattinson.
Tel: 01883 335058
Email: admissions@caterhamschool.co.uk