The Leys School - Admissions

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for entry to The Leys at 11+, 13+ or Sixth Form. In line with the policy from the Headmasters' Conference group of schools, Scholarships may amount to up to 30% of the fees payable. The number and value of the awards is dependent upon the calibre of the candidates and their continuation is subject to the pupil maintaining satisfactory standards. Full details of all the Scholarships (including dates) are published in the Current Information Booklet (see Downloads).

11+ Scholarships

While academic performance will be the major consideration in making these awards, the Headmaster is able to take into consideration a candidate's performance in the fields of Art, Music, Drama, Sport and Technology. Entry tests for Year 7 are held in the January of the year of entry. Candidates who perform well in the tests, and who have a strong supporting recommendation from their current Headmaster or Headmistress, will be invited back for a series of interviews with the Headmaster, the Head of Mathematics and the Head of English. All candidates invited back for this second round will be guaranteed a place in Year 7, whether or not they are awarded a Scholarship.

13+ Scholarships

The number and value of the awards made each year depends on the quality of the candidates. They are available to all applicants, including current pupils at The Leys who are within the age range. In the case of external candidates the Headmaster/Headmistress of their present school should be informed of your intention, as his/her signature is needed for the Scholarship Forms and they may be able to offer advice. All external candidates for entry to The Leys are required to undertake the standard academic tests in the January of the year of entry.

Application

All candidates must first be registered for entry. Scholarship application forms can be obtained from the Admissions Office. Specimen papers are normally sent directly to the candidate's school. In the case of a candidate not attending an independent school, parents may obtain papers from the Admissions Office.

Programme

An outline programme will be sent to the candidate's school and also to his/her parents or guardian in advance of the Scholarship exams and interviews. The dates for the Scholarship assessments are held in late January of the year of entry.

13+ Academic Awards

These awards are made for academic excellence. Those wishing to be considered for an academic award will take five extension papers. All candidates will take papers in English, Mathematics and Science. Candidates will also take two elective papers selected from French, German, Spanish, History, Geography, Divinity, Latin or Greek.
The requirements for each paper are in the Current Information Booklet (see Downloads).

13+ Music Scholarships

As a general guide, candidates are normally expected to have reached the standard required for Associated Board Grade V. Singing experience may be taken as an equivalent, especially for candidates who are Cathedral Choristers. Choral and Organ awards may be made and any instrument may be offered. Musicianship and potential are more important than present attainment. Candidates are expected to play two contrasting pieces on any instrument offered (or sing two songs if singing is offered). They will be asked to play a piece at sight, and may also be asked to play scales and arpeggios, or perform aural tests similar to those of the Associated Board. Holders of Music Awards at The Leys are expected to play a full and active part in the music making of the School.

13+ Sports Scholarships

Candidates are expected to show a high level of proficiency and commitment in at least two major sports, chosen from Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Netball and Tennis. As an alternative, candidates may choose one sport from those listed and specify another, which is not listed. Candidates will be interviewed and participate in practical tests, which are designed to test their skills and fitness. They will also, where possible, participate in team games (reduced sides). Each candidate will be assessed in two sports. Candidates will be expected to provide a full CV of their sporting involvement and to provide the name and address of a person able to provide a supporting statement.

13+ Art Scholarships

Candidates will be asked to sit a drawing test involving an observational study. This will take place in the main studio of the Art Department and will last between two-three hours. Materials will be provided. Candidates will be expected to submit a portfolio and/or sketchbook of recent material reflecting the full range of their work (this should mainly be work produced in the last year). Examples or photographs of any three-dimensional work should also be included and they are very welcome to bring any other work that they feel is relevant. Candidates will also have a short interview with the Art Department staff. They will be encouraged to discuss either an Art exhibition recently visited or some piece of an artist's work that they particularly like.

13+ Design Technology Scholarships

Candidates will be asked to undertake a selection of 'design and make' problem solving exercises lasting three hours. Candidates should bring a selection of work, both two and three-dimensional, that reflects a high standard of skill and creativity. They may bring photographs of projects that are too large to transport. Candidates will have a short interview with the Design Technology staff.

13+ Drama Scholarships

All candidates will be interviewed and will be asked to demonstrate excellence in either (a) Dramatic Performance or (b) Technical Skills. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a strong appreciation of theatre, an understanding of production issues and knowledge of theatre outside the school context.

(A) Dramatic Performance
Candidates will be asked to perform a solo piece of their choosing, which may be one with which they are already familiar. Candidates should also expect to be assessed in a group setting where improvisation skills will be observed. Candidates offering a dramatic performance will be asked about the performance they have given, previous performances (where appropriate) and their ambitions in this area.

(B) Technical work
Candidates will be asked to provide evidence of work they have completed for a production in any area of technical theatre. Set, costume and make-up work will be primarily considered in theatrical rather than artistic terms. Evidence should include, in all cases, notes, diagrams and photographs/video (where appropriate). Candidates should have a proven commitment to working backstage in a theatre, be prepared to develop their skills and be capable of working efficiently and well in a team. Candidates offering technical work will be asked in detail about the material they have brought.

13+ Neil White Scholarships (All Rounder)

The Neil White Scholarships are intended for students who are able to contribute at a very high standard in two or three different fields and also show potential for leadership. Preference will be given to candidates who wish to board. Candidates should choose to be assessed in two or three of the following fields: Academic, Music, Art, Design Technology, Sport or Drama. The examinations and assessments will be as for the major subject-specific awards, but it is to be expected that a candidate's performance may be to a slightly lower standard. All candidates will be interviewed. Neil White candidates offering an Academic element only take the three compulsory scholarship papers - English, Maths and Science.

Sixth Form Scholarships

The Leys offers a number of Sixth Form Scholarships for Academic subjects, Music, Art, Drama and Sport. They are of varying value up to a maximum of 30% of the fees, and are open to those entering the School, as well as to current pupils. All external candidates should be registered for entry to The Leys. The assessments will be held in early November prior to the academic year of entry. Entry forms are available from the Admissions Office. A general reference will be requested from the Headmaster/Headmistress of the candidate's present school once the entry has been received. All awards will be announced at the beginning of December prior to the September of entry.

16+ Academic Awards

All candidates will be asked to sit written tests and attend interviews. The tests will be based on GCSE syllabuses and candidates will be expected to answer on three subjects of their own choice. Two general papers will also be set for which no special preparation is necessary.

16+ Music Awards

For Music, (Organ, Choral and/or Instrumental), the candidate's musical record will be taken into account, as will a personal assessment by the Director of Music of The Leys School. They will be expected to perform two contrasting pieces on their first instrument and one piece on their second/third instrument. They will also be tested on their general musicianship, scales, aural training and sight-reading. Strong emphasis will be placed on musicality and willingness to contribute to the School's music. Composition may also be submitted.

16+ Art Awards

For an award in Art, all candidates should offer a portfolio of work. An examination will also take place in the Scholarship week.

16+ Drama Awards

Drama Scholarships are awarded to candidates who show excellence in either Performance or Technical Skills. All Performance candidates should present two contrasting pieces: one must be an acting solo, the other may be acting or an extract from a musical. Technical candidates will be expected to provide details of their experience and should nominate the technical skills they would like to be taken into consideration.

16+ Sports Awards

The Arkwright Scholarship Awards

Those wishing to follow an A Level course in Design and Technology, leading to courses in Higher Education to read Engineering, Technology or other Design-related subjects, may enter for Arkwright Scholarships. These Scholarships are externally assessed and awarded.

Bursaries

The award of a Bursary at The Leys takes into account the financial circumstances of the parents. There are four categories of Bursary award, all of which are subject to annual review:

Essential Bursary

The aim of this bursary is to enable a pupil to continue their education at The Leys. The parent of a pupil already in the School may apply for a bursary as a result of a change in their financial circumstances, in order to enable the pupil to continue in the School, thus avoiding disruption to his/her education. The award of this category of Bursary may be made at any time in a pupil’s school career. A parent may apply to the Headmaster. A Statement of Financial Circumstances will be completed and any award will be made on the basis of this.

Supplementary Bursary

This category of Bursary may be awarded to a pupil who gains a Scholarship for entry to The Leys, but whose parents require further financial assistance if they are to accept the Scholarship place. A parent of a scholar may apply to the Headmaster before accepting the Scholarship. A Statement of Financial Circumstances will be completed and any award made on the basis of this.

Governors' Bursary

There are two criteria for the award of this category of Bursary: (a) financial circumstances and (b) ability. A ‘Governors’ Bursary’ would be available to a pupil in need of financial assistance who has not won a Scholarship, but has demonstrated that he/she would make a significant contribution to the life of the School, academically or in other ways.

The financial circumstances of the parent would be such that the payment of full fees would be extremely difficult. A parent may apply to the Headmaster or the Headmaster may propose an award to the parent. A Statement of Financial Circumstances will be completed, and an award made, taking into account the financial circumstances of the parent and the ability of the pupil.
The award of a Governors’ Bursary is available at 11+, 13+ and 16+ for internal or external candidates. Awards at 16+ are funded by the Sixth Form Bursary Fund, to enable pupils of high potential to enjoy the benefits of a Sixth Form education at The Leys.

Specific Bursaries

This category of Bursary is available to the children of serving members of the Clergy, or members of the Armed Forces who qualify for the Boarding Schools Allowance. The Clergy Bursary will be assessed on the basis of a Statement of Financial Circumstances. The Armed Forces bursary supplements the Boarding Schools Allowance, up to a maximum combined concession of 90%. Children of Old Leysians and children from practising Methodist families may qualify for Bursaries on application. Parents of three or more children concurrently at the School may also be eligible for bursary assistance on application.