Scholarships

Scholarships at Caterham not only recognise ability and potential but, vitally, nurture and accelerate talent.  

The breadth and depth of the awards can vary each year depending on the number of applicants and their standard. 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 usually worth a percentage of the school fees but may also be a fixed amount. The scholarship will remain throughout a pupil’s school career provided they maintain the expected standards (detailed in the Terms and Conditions of Award).

• Candidates in receipt of a specific scholarship award, e.g. Art & Design, Drama, Music, Performing Arts, Science (16+ only), 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.

Further information on the different scholarships that are available for application are detailed below. Please do not hesitate to contact our admissions team if you have any questions – please contact the Registrar, Mrs Alison Jones, tel: 01883 335058 email: admissions@caterhamschool.co.uk

Academic Scholarships

All registered candidates for the 11+ and 13+ examinations are automatically considered for an academic scholarship based on performance in the examinations and interviews. 13+ Deferred Entry candidates will be considered for an academic scholarship during Year 8. The awards can represent up to 50 per cent of the fees in exceptional circumstances, but most awards will be lower than this.

Sixth Form Academic Scholarships are available to all external candidates for Sixth Form. Candidates are required to attend the Information and Interview Evening. Scholarships are awarded based on performance on this day and predicted GCSE grades.

Art & Design Scholarships

Art and Design Scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and typically represent up to 10 per cent of the fees but in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Headmaster, can be up to 25 per cent. Candidates wishing to be considered for a scholarship will initially be asked to submit a portfolio of their recent work for assessment by the The Visual Art Faculty and 3D Design Department. 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 practical examination. Sketchbooks  and a selection of the work from the portfolio should be made available at the interview. All Art & Design Scholars are expected to be fully committed to the School’s Art & Design programme.

Sport Scholarships

Sports Scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and typically represent up to 10 per cent of the fees but in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Headmaster, can be up to 25 per cent. Higher awards may be available for young athletes with significant county and international recognition. Successful candidates benefit from the unique Caterham Athletic Programme (CAP). Application forms are available from the Registrar.

Candidates who have applied for a sports scholarship will be required to attend a sports scholarship assessment day along with all other candidates. For 11+ candidates this is in the January prior to entry, after the entrance examinations and interviews have taken place. It may be necessary for  the candidate to return for further assessment. For 13+ candidates this is in the November prior to entry, after the entrance examinations and interviews have taken place. Sixth Form candidates will need to be playing a high level of sport at U16 level. This may include playing for their county or for other regional squads. Individual assessments are arranged. It may be necessary for the candidate to return for further assessment.

Candidates must have a proven track record in one or more of the following sports:

Boys: Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Football, Athletics, Swimming.

Girls: Netball, Lacrosse, Athletics, Tennis, Hockey, Swimming.

Whilst prowess in other sports may be useful to know about, they will not form part of the assessment day.

It is essential that candidates are, at the very least, strong  A team players at their existing school or at a local club. Candidates who do not meet these criteria should not apply for a sports scholarship.

Candidates should inform the sports department (via the scholarship application form) in which of the above sports they excel. Sports that do not appear on the above list will not be considered.

Music Scholarships

Music Scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and can represent up to 10 per cent of the fees but in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Headmaster, can be up to 25 per cent.  These awards are made on the basis of musical potential as well as actual achievement. As a guide, candidates should have already achieved Grade 5 ABRSM/Trinity or equivalent at 11+; grade 6 ABRSM/Trinity or equivalent at 13+ and grade 7 ABRSM/Trinity or equivalent at 16+  on their first orchestral instrument or voice, at the time of audition.  There is further criteria should piano, drums of guitar be offered as the first instrument.  Further guidance can be found in the Scholarship & Bursary Booklet which can be forwarded to parents on request.  Please note that candidates selected for further consideration will be invited to attend Caterham in the January (for 11+) and the November (for 13+ and 16+), prior to the year of entry.  Successful candidates will be invited to an audition during which they will be required to perform one substantial piece (or two shorter pieces) on their principal instrument or voice, and one piece on a second instrument. There are also sight-reading and aural tests, and an informal viva voce with members of the Music department.

All Music award holders are expected to play a minimum of two instruments and 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.

Performing Arts Scholarships

Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and typically represent up to 10 per cent of the fees but in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Headmaster, can be up to 25 per cent. They are awarded on the basis of performance in the entrance examination and interview, together with performance in the following disciplines: dance, drama or music (singing).  Pupils will be expected to prepare a performance in all three disciplines.  Please note that those pupils selected for further consideration will be invited to attend Caterham for an audition.

Drama Scholarships

These are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and typically represent up to 10 per cent of the fees but in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Headmaster, can be up to 25 per cent. Candidates will be required to perform and discuss two contrasting monologues. At 16+ one of the monologues must be from the classical repertoire. For 11+ and 13+ scholarships one of the monologues should be  from a play text.  Please note that those candidates selected for further consideration will be invited to attend Caterham for an audition with the Head of Drama and Theatre Studies.  

Innovation Scholarship

An Innovation Scholarship was introduced in September 2018 entry for 13+ standard entry candidates. The award  will typically represent up to 10 per cent of the fees but in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Headmaster, may be up to 25 per cent.

The Innovation Scholarship is for pupils who can demonstrate a high level of creativity within the digital arena, for example in coding, app design, web design or similar digital application. 

Candidates will need to submit a completed project, such as a game, app or website that they have designed and created. This should be submitted alongside an explanation and/or overview of the project, and, in addition, how they could use their skills to develop digital in school.  Candidates selected for further consideration will be invited to attend an interview and assessment at Caterham.

Sixth Form Science Scholarship

These are awarded at 16+ and typically represent up to 10 per cent of the fees but in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Headmaster, can be up to 25 per cent.

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. 

Science Scholars are expected to be fully committed to the School’s curricular and co-curricular science activities.

The Maddock Exhibition

The Maddock Exhibition is awarded to girls coming into the Sixth Form to study science at A Level. The exhibition can be awarded up to the value of £1000 for the first year of a pupil’s A Level course.

As a guide, candidates should be confident of achieving grades 8/9 (previously A*and A grades) in their science GCSE examinations and of making a valuable contribution to life in the Sixth Form.

As a guide, qualification for the Sixth Form entry is 44 points or equivalent (an 8 is 8 points; and A* is also 8 points), from the best six GCSE/IGCSE subjects.  Additionally there are specific entry requirements for each A Level subject.  Candidates also need to show that they would make a valuable contribution to life in the Sixth Form.

Expectations of Scholar Holders

A pupil in receipt of a Scholarship, Exhibition or Award is required to work hard, to contribute positively to the life of the School, to be a credit to the School and to set a good example to other pupils.

For further details or to request a scholarship application form  please contact the Registrar.
Tel: 01883 335058
Email: admissions@caterhamschool.co.uk