11+ 13+ 16+ Scholarships & Awards 2020/21 DEAN DC CLOSE SCHOOLS CHELTENHAM THe Contents Introduction 3 Scholarships & Awards 4 The Principles of Scholarship 6 Scholarships for Excellence and Character 7 Academic 8 Art 10 Choristership & Choral 12 Drama 14 Music 16 Product Design Technology 18 Sport 20 Bursaries 22 Terms & Conditions 23 Dean Close offers outstanding opportunities to its Scholars Dean Close is a truly co-educational Foundation, with almost equal numbers of girls and boys. The Schools combine their founding traditional values and high academic standards with a modern approach and state-of-the-art buildings. Based on its strong Christian values and helped by impressive facilities, the Schools not only nurture academic, sporting, artistic and musical talents, but also friendship, integrity and mutual respect. We value our Scholars highly, looking to all award holders to enhance the School communities. By their attitude as well as their actions they will enrich the life of the Schools. Because we believe that any true sense of achievement and enjoyment comes from on-going application, our Scholars’ lives should reflect both dedication and commitment as they give time and energy to their particular award areas, without detracting from their involvement in other aspects of School. In this way, they become role models for their peers, whilst making the most of their talents. In times of high demand, it should be noted that Dean Close may not be able to offer places to candidates who are unsuccessful in their Scholarship application. DEAN DC CLOSE SCHOOLS CHELTENHAM 3 Scholarships and Awards 11+ 13+ 16+ The School offers scholarships and bursaries to talented young people at ages 11 and 13 and for entry into the Sixth Form at 16+. The areas of talent which are recognised for each age group are: 11+ entry 13+ entry Sixth Form Max Percentage of fees awarded* Academic 40% Art 15% Choral 7+ 25% Drama 20% Music 40% Product Design Technology 15% Sport 40% Francis Close 50% Colin Cocks 25% *These may be topped up by a means-tested bursary. 4 ALL SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO SATISFY EACH SCHOOL’S STANDARD ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A SCHOLARSHIP OR AWARD. In line with all HMC and IAPS schools, awards of up to 40% of full fees (50% for Francis Close Scholarship) can be made and these are sometimes supported by bursaries where financial need is demonstrated (up to a total award of 100%). The number of awards given in each category is limited and depends upon the calibre of the applicants. A scholarship is awarded in recognition of individual talent and performance. A bursary, on the other hand, provides additional financial support to families who otherwise could not afford to accept their scholarship place. All bursary applications are means-tested. Awards made at 11+ and 13+ are intended to apply until pupils leave at the end of the Upper Sixth. Awards are subject to good behaviour, academic endeavour and a full commitment to the whole life of the School. They are rarely revoked or reduced; however, they are reviewed annually. A confidential Headteacher’s report will be required for external pupils. The Headmaster’s decision on all scholarships and awards offered is final. 5 The Principles of Scholarship At Dean Close, we are keen that the process for the continuation of scholarship awards through the different transition stages is transparent and clearly understood by all parties concerned: parents, pupils and staff in the Preparatory and Senior Schools. Our guiding principles are as follows: • Scholars at Dean Close should derive great benefit from being award holders but also take seriously their responsibilities. Specific details can be found in the information on the various individual scholarships in this booklet. • Scholarships awarded at 11+ are expected to remain in place for as long as the successful candidate • Scholarships awarded at 11+ or 13+ are normally continues at the School. This principle is strengthened expected to remain in place into the Sixth Form. by the involvement of Senior School staff in the 11+ Music, Drama and Sports Scholars making a strong scholarship process. contribution to the co-curricular life of the School in their scholarship area but not taking Music, Theatre • In the main, 13+ Scholarships are awarded to external Studies or PE at GCSE or A level, would remain an candidates. However, pupils who join the Preparatory award holder. However, due to the focus of their School after Year 7, missing the 11+ process, can subject awards, Art or PDT Scholars who decide not apply for a 13+ Scholarship before they transfer to the to take their subject at GCSE or A level will no longer Senior School. be eligible to hold a scholarship. In the Senior School scholars can only hold two co-curricular scholarships. However, the size of the • A review of each Scholar’s contribution to the life of award will not be reduced for those who held more the School will be conducted annually and parents than two scholarships in the Preparatory School. will receive a written report on their progress. Bradley Salisbury Paddy Moss Headmaster, Dean Close School Headmaster, Dean Close Preparatory School 6 Scholarships for excellence and character The Francis Close Scholarship (11+, 13+ and 16+) Maximum of 50% of fees can be awarded The Francis Close Scholarship is awarded only to those Scholars who perform at the highest level in both their academic and extracurricular disciplines. In order to qualify, candidates must be of scholarship standard in academic and at least two other areas, for example, music and drama or sport and music. Such Scholars are expected to act as true Dean Close role models in terms of their strength of character and commitment to the School. The Foundation Scholarship subsumes any other awards held. The Colin Cocks Award (13+) Maximum of 25% of fees can be awarded The Colin Cocks Award is awarded to a pupil who displays a particularly good record of ‘service’ in addition to a high level of all-round ability. The Award is named after Colin Cocks, whose outstanding contribution as Chairman of Governors at Dean Close for nine years was marked both by wide-ranging talent and by an attitude of service to the community. A Colin Cocks Award holder is expected to have solid standards of academic ability and to offer at least two well-developed skills outside the classroom at a high standard. However, it is the attitude and character of the applicant that is the most important consideration of all. Evidence of leadership ability and a willingness to serve the community will be taken into account. The Headmaster will approach the Head of a potential Scholar’s current school to provide an appropriate supporting recommendation. 7 Academic Entrance at 11+, 13+ and 16+ Maximum of 40% of fees can be awarded Scholarships are awarded according to academic The European Youth Parliament is a simulated EU excellence and potential. Dean Close takes great pride Parliament in which teams of eight take part in a series of in the success of its most academically able pupils, debates on EU policy, a competition in which Dean Close who set the standard for their peers. has reached the National Finals. There is a wide range of academic societies including the Senior and Junior Academic Scholars entering the School in Year 7 will Bowden Societies, specifically designed for the most able; normally be in top sets for all subjects. There are a number providing stimulation, challenges and academic breadth. of high level competitions and challenges organised by The School’s own Public Speaking competition, for both departments. For example, pupils may participate in the the junior and senior years, provides a platform to develop Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Maths Olympiads which are skills, as does the Latin and Greek reading competition. prestigious national and international competitions, in Modern linguists take part in the National Schools’ which the School has had some very notable successes. Languages Debating Competition. 8 The School places a strong emphasis on inviting visitors to meet its Scholars and attending Cheltenham’s Literature and Science Festivals. Over recent years pupils have seen historians Alison Weir and Peter and Dan Snow; journalists 11+ Scholarship Exams in Novembe r/ December Robert Peston, Caitlin Moran, Will Gompertz and Andrew All external candidates will be asked to sit a cognitive ability Marr; authors Ian McEwan and Robert MacFarlane; MPs and an English Test, after which the successful candidates will Nick Clegg and Vince Cable; and leading academics such be invited back to sit for the academic scholarship. Candidates as Professor Mary Beard, Professor Jenny March and Dr are involved in group challenges and discussions and are interviewed by the Headmaster and senior academic members Steve Gunn, the latter two of Oxford University. of staff. Candidates should be under 12 on 1st September 2019. Educational visits, including to the WW1 French 13+ Dean Close Scholarship Exams in January battlefields and Classical tours to Sicily or Greece and Art trips to Venice and Madrid, serve to broaden the For able pupils from Dean Close St. John’s on-the-Hill and external prep schools, Dean Close encourages candidates interest and experience of the more committed Scholars. to sit the School’s own suite of scholarship papers set in Psychologists attend a criminology conference for Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities and either French Psychology which helps to raise Scholars’ understanding or Spanish. All candidates will have interviews with the of the topic of criminal psychology and the professional Headmaster and other senior academic staff. Candidates applications of psychology. should be under 14 years on 1st September 2019.