Scholarships &
Bursaries
Year
2022
St Dunstan’s College offers a number of scholarships at 11+ and 13+ for excellence in Academic ability (by invitation only), Music, Drama, Art and Sport. Amongst the range of benefits for students who are scholars, there is also a tuition fee remission of either 10% (minor) or 25% (major).
Scholarships are held for the duration of a student’s time at the College, provided their conduct fulfils the expectations as stated in the Conditions of Award. Scholarships are reviewed every year by the Awards Committee.
Types offered
Academic Scholarships recognise and reward academic excellence. It is not possible to apply for an Academic Scholarship as all potential scholars will be selected for interview on the basis of their performance in the Entrance Assessments.
For St Dunstan’s College Junior School pupils going into Year 7 at the Senior School, a recommendation is made from the Head of Junior School to the Headmaster for potential scholarship candidates who should be assessed.
Art scholars at St Dunstan’s make a significant contribution to all aspects of artistic provision, and to do so effectively they must be able to demonstrate an infectious passion for the subject. Applicants are expected to be self-reflective and to have a clear idea of how they can develop their own work; to be curious, visiting galleries and museums on a regular basis, and to have a broad range of artistic skills. Their passion for the subject should be combined with a high level of creativity.
Application
Each applicant will need to submit the following:
- A digital portfolio of 5 pieces of work in a variety of mediums e.g. drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles, photography or video. Please ensure quality photographs and include the medium used in the file name.
- Up to two references from an Art teacher or external tutor, highlighting the candidate’s commitment, aptitude and interest in Art.
All applicants will be assessed in three tasks:
1. Realistic, observational, tonal drawing. Assessing technical graphite skills and understanding of proportions, textures and shading.
2. Written task with one-on-one interview critically analysing the concepts and visual language of an artwork(s). We are not looking for facts, but rather the ability to critically analyse and interpret the meaning and intentions of the artists’ work. The applicant should be able to discuss why certain colours, imagery, composition and other artistic techniques were used. Responses should demonstrate the ability to use expert language.
3. Creative, personal response to the artwork critically analysed. Examining the ability to make creative and appropriate choices and realise a personal, technically proficient response with connections to the artist’s work.
At St Dunstan’s we hold a firm belief in the power of the ensemble, which is why an applicant’s ability to inspire others when working as part of a group is such a key part of the assessment process. Clearly, individual performance skills are key indicators of potential, but this must be combined with the ability to think imaginatively and creatively, in order to create performances that are both unique and high quality. We believe in the value of a broad range of experiences, and invite applications from candidates with backgrounds in a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to acting, directing, dance and costume design.
Application
Each applicant will need to submit a personal statement, recounting a memorable experience with the world of theatre, before commenting on how this has contributed to their desire to apply for a scholarship. It should be no more than 300 words. We also invite up to two references in support of each application.
Applicants will work in groups of 10 for one hour with the support of two current drama scholars. The assessment process will start with social games and ice breaker activities that will highlight interpersonal skills and the way that applicants work under pressure as part of a group.
- A response to an unseen stimulus, using a performance medium of their choice.
- An opportunity to constructively analyse and evaluate the work of others, before then re-directing the piece
- A group discussion task that will invite self-reflection and abstract thought, using the work that has been shared as a stimulus.
Music scholars define the ethos of the Music Department by their high levels of enthusiasm, motivation, individual achievement and group collaboration. The audition process assesses these qualities and aims to discover the candidate’s musical potential and ambitions, as well as their current standard. Applicants are normally required to be at a level akin to at least Grade 4 (11+) and 5 (13+) in their main instrument, although scholarships can also be awarded based on a candidate’s potential. In addition to a fee remission, the scholarship also includes free tuition in the applicant’s principal instrument.
The Music Department offers standalone Benson exhibition awards, providing students with free tuition in their principal instrument, equivalent to £630. Exhibitions may be offered based on potential in an instrument, and are awarded through the same audition process.
Application
Each applicant will need to submit a personal statement, detailing why they wish to apply for a Music Scholarship. The personal statement should be no more than 300 words. We would also welcome up to two references in support of their application.
The audition process comprises:
- Performance of two pieces on their main instrument or voice, or on two different instruments if preferred. We provide a professional accompanist and a rehearsal on the day of the audition, although the candidate is permitted to arrange a private accompanist.
- A sight-reading exercise on the applicant’s main instrument.
- A series of aural tests. These include singing back a melody, identifying the notes of a chord, and clapping back rhythms.
- An informal interview, which will discuss their performances, ambitions as a scholar and their written application.
- An ensemble activity with some of our current scholars and instrumentalists in the Senior School.
Candidates are expected to be actively involved in competitive sport across a variety of disciplines both at school and club level. We do expect scholars to be able to represent the College across at least two of our Core Sports, which include swimming, netball, hockey, football, cricket and rugby. Applications from students performing at a high level in other sports are welcomed and will be considered. As a guide, we would expect applicants to be competing at club/county level or equivalent, in addition to representing their school, depending on the sport they currently participate in.
Application
Each applicant will need to submit a personal statement, detailing why they wish to apply for a Sport scholarship. The statement should be no more than 300 words. We also welcome up to two references in support of their application.
All applicants will be assessed in three tasks:
- A series of challenges and multi-sport games, focusing on student’s physical literacy, but also on personal, social and cognitive skills.
- A number of sport-specific activities, with a focus on our core sports (netball, hockey, rugby, football, cricket and swimming). Whilst competence in these individual sports is important, it will not form the basis of the assessment
- An informal interview with a member of the department, to further discuss their application and desire to become a Sport scholar at the College.
X
Head Teacher
Mr Nicholas Hewlett
Address
Stanstead Rd, London SE6 4TY
ISC
associations
HMC, IAPS, AGBIS, ISBA
Religious
affiliation
Church of England
Day /
Boarding type
Day
Gender
profile
Co-Educational
Gender
split
Girls
43.3 % / Boys
56.7%
Number of
pupils
1012
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