Academic rigour forms the cornerstone of an Ashford education, and our Academic Scholars are right at the vanguard of learning in the Senior School. As holders of an award, scholars are expected to engage fully with the Academic Scholars’ programme and take a proactive approach to their studies. We seek to ensure that all our scholars remain consistently challenged and able to set the benchmark for all students.
To guarantee that all scholars are fully supported through academic life, each lower and middle school scholar is assigned both a staff and a Sixth Form mentor who meets them on a half-termly basis to discuss progress, challenges and points for development. These sessions are used as a springboard for academic discussion, promotion of wider reading and exposure to new ideas.
Academic Scholars also have access to our Octagon Lecture Series, a bespoke programme of talks created to push students’ perception of and exposure to different subject disciplines.
Additionally, scholars’ society teas are held on a termly basis. All Academic Scholars are treated to a meet-up with teas, hot chocolate and pastries served. From there, they participate in a briefing, activity or social time. These sessions build on the mentoring programme and encourage socialisation, cross-pollination of ideas, debate, exchange and cohesion.
Assessment:
Candidates are required to sit our entrance assessment, and the highest performers will be invited to a scholarship interview.
The scholarship interviews take place at the Senior School and are conducted by the Director of Teaching and Learning and relevant Head of Section. Interviews last for a maximum of 20 minutes and include a range of in-depth questioning on academic record, interests and unseen texts. Each interview is meticulously scored, reviewed and discussed in conjunction with test performance before the final recommendation of awards.
Our Academic Scholarship Package:
If successful in gaining an Academic scholarship, our scholars have access to a rigorous package of stretch and support to ensure that they make the very best not only of their award but of their academic experience at the School.
The central pillars of this are as follows:
- Mentoring, with both staff and senior students
- Lectures delivered by expert speakers, with follow-up seminars
- Scholars’ society teas and socials
- Scholars’ badge and recognition on our scholars’ noticeboard
- Wider reading, article reviews, seminars, trips and enrichment
Further information on these pillars are detailed in our Curriculum Pages.
Our Expectation of Academic Scholars:
At Ashford School, we have high expectations of Academic Scholars. The scholarship programme offers the opportunity to set the tone for academic excellence. Accordingly, scholars are expected to participate fully in the programme and act as role models for what hard work, high achievement and effective study skills look like at Ashford School.
To apply:
External Pupils: Please complete both a School registration form an Academic Scholarship Application Form.
Existing Pupils of Ashford School (Years 7, 9, and 12 only): Please complete an Academic Scholarship Application form.
Please note our deadlines for September 2024:
Year 12: 31 October 2023
Years 7 & 9: 2 January 2024