Scholarships

To Apply:

External Pupils: Please complete both a School registration form and an Academic Scholarship Application Form.

Current Pupils at Ashford School: Please complete an Academic Scholarship Application form.

At Ashford School, our Art department trains pupils from Year 7 upwards to think independently and to be freely creative, therefore developing key skills that students need for their future at university and beyond.  

The aim for the department is that, whilst teaching the fundamental skills of drawing and old master painting techniques, we remain highly innovative and contemporary, offering various forms of new media, including full Adobe Creative Suite, film and animation. Our Art department is acknowledged as one of the very best because it encourages all students to step outside their comfort zone in a truly supportive environment. All students are taught the skills of observational drawing as well as experimenting with a huge array of artistic media – from digital imaging software for green screens, to ceramics, intaglio printing, reduction block printing, screen printing, various forms of textile techniques, dark room and digital photography. 

Assessment:

External candidates are required to sit our school entry assessments and meet our minimum academic requirements.  If applying for an Art scholarship, candidates are required to send a summary of art achievements with their Scholarship Application Form. On review, the Head of Art will invite successful candidates to a practical assessment.    

On the practical assessment day, all candidates will be asked to bring a portfolio of work demonstrating a keen interest outside of School. A still life will be set up and candidates will produce observational studies.   Candidates will be asked to offer criticism of works of art.  There will be an informal conversation with the Head of Art.

Criteria for an Award:

Candidates are expected to:

• Demonstrate a good understanding of subject knowledge and engagement for Art 
• Show examples of excellent work produced both in and out of school 
• Have visited exhibitions, museums, galleries in own time and be able to discuss work seen 
• Be able to answer questions using art terminology 
• Demonstrate imagination, creativity and initiative in their artwork 
• To perform well in observational skills test, producing work that shows a good level of skill in composition, shading, accuracy of observations and details
  
  

Our Art Scholarship Package: 

If successful in gaining an Art scholarship, our scholars have access to additional experiences and opportunities, including: 

• Artist in residence advice and support 
• Opportunity to join co-curricular activities run by our artist in residence 
• Inspirational talks by professional artists 
• Opportunity to exhibit work at public exhibitions, alongside our artist in residence 
• Opportunity to exhibit work at various pop up exhibitions 
• Scholars’ badge and recognition on our Art Scholars’ noticeboard

Our Expectation of Art Scholars: 

At Ashford School, we have high expectations of Art Scholars.  They will be expected to set a good example to other Art students by participating in and entering various publicised competitions and exhibitions advertised throughout the year. They will be expected to model exemplary behaviour within all Art lessons, leading group discussions and showcasing artwork in a positive and supportive manner.

 Art Scholars are required to study Art at GCSE and continue to study Art at A level. If a Scholar does not study Art at A Level, the Scholarship will end. 

To Apply: 

External Pupils: Please complete both a School registration form an Art Scholarship Application Form.

Existing Pupils of Ashford School: Please complete an Art Scholarship Application form.

Ashford School has an excellent reputation for creating drama to extremely high standards.  Drama is taught to all year groups at Ashford School by two specialist teachers. The Head of Drama has worked profressionally as an actor for twenty-five years within the fields of Theatre, Television, and Film. This makes the subject popular choice at both GCSE and A Level and we are fortunate to benefit from three dedicated teaching  spaces and a  300-seat theatre.  Two of the spaces  are equipped with lighting and sound equipment allowing for studio productions and fullscale porductions. We have a full-time lighting and sound technician who manages these spaces and supports GCSE and A Level technical Drama students.

Lessons are supplemented with a wide variety of extracurricular activities both for traditional acting and technical options. We stage two major productions every year as well as two small-scale fringe productions. These allow opportunity for all years to be seen and hone their skills across musical theatre and plays.  In addition to these, we mount performance and assessment evenings connected to our GCSE and A level programme.

Our extra-curricular program includes Speech & Drama lessons that are delivered on a 1:1 basis, preparing for individuals for examinations in LAMDA, a worldwide recognised range of qualifications that allow every student to excel at their own pace and stand out from the crowd through their talent.  These exams lead to preparing students for entry in local festivals and competitions to further boost their confidence, phronesis, and skills.

Assessment:

External candidates are required to sit our school entry assessments and meet our minimum academic requirements.  If applying for a Drama scholarship, candidates are required to send a Performance CV with their Scholarship Application Form.  On review, the Head of Drama will invite successful candidates to an audition.

At the audition, candidates will be expected to:

• Perform a monologue (of the candidate’s choice) showcasing their skills and ability to demonstrate characterisation and strong vocal and physical skills. The monologue could be from a contemporary or classical play but must be from a published performance text.  It should also not exceed three minutes in duration.
• Have a brief, informal interview with the Head of Drama to talk about the work the candidate has presented, and to discuss their dramatic interests and experience as outlined in the Performance CV.
• Perform an improvisation task of the department’s choice to demonstrate imagination, initiative, and developed performance skills. Alternatively, they may be redirected in their monologue to study how they conduct themselves and are able to take direction.

Criteria for an Award:

Candidates are expected to:

• Display a good understanding of performance skills (voice, movement, characterisation)
• Share examples of previous performances
• Have visited the theatre
• Be able to answer questions using drama terminology
• Display good creative and imaginative skills when improvising
• Show developing confidence of the use of space within a performance scenario
• Have a wish and energy to pursue drama as a tool to self-reflect and grow
• LAMDA qualifications are preferable, Merit and above, in a grade relevant to their age
• Have experience performing regularly in school or local productions

Our Drama Scholarship Package:

All Scholars will:

• Be part of the Drama Scholars league, which gain priority tickets for whole school Theatre trips.
• Be involved in the rehearsal, development, and performance of School productions, either on or off stage.
• Mentor and support the production and performance processes in both curricular and co-curricular Drama.
• Receive the opportunity, if they wish, to take on significant roles of leadership.
• Receive FREE weekly LAMDA sessions either as a group for Y7 and Y8 scholars, or 1:1 for Y9 and above.
• Be invited to audition for the National Youth Theatre program on a yearly basis from the age of 14.

Our Expectation of Drama Scholars:

An Ashford School Drama Scholar is expected to be ethical, forward thinking, respectful, hardworking, continually grounded, and open to taking opportunities to excel.  They are required to be available to participate in all School productions, and must be available to support productions that they are not participating in.  Drama scholars are expected to maintain their enthusiasm and positive energy with all challenges incurred and be exemplarly in their ettiquette and conduct.  They must attend at least one co-curricular club and will be expected to lead, direct and guide students within drama lessons with dignity.  They will take weekly LAMDA lessons working towards graded examinations utilising the acting syllabus as a priority.

Scholars are expected to study Drama at GCSE, alongside a strong commitment to co-curricular productions.

Scholars are expected to study Drama at A Level, However, a strong involvement in co-curricular productions during the Sixth Form years could be utilised as an alternative.

Scholarships are reviewed annually by the Head of Drama to ensure students are living up to the expectations set.

To Apply: 

External Pupils: Please complete both a School registration form and a Drama Scholarship Application Form.

Existing Pupils of Ashford School: Please complete a Drama Scholarship Application form.

The Ashford School Music department is a busy and thriving environment full of opportunities for those passionate about music. Led by Director of Music, Lucy Simes, the department strives to encourage pupils to engage in any form of music that inspires and intrigues them. 

In addition to offering GCSE and A Level Music, the department boasts 16 peripatetic music teachers allowing pupils to have individual lessons in a wide range of instruments and / or vocal lessons. 

We are proud to be one of only 18 Schools in the UK to be an All Steinway School and have an extensive range of upright and grand pianos.  We have a range of practice rooms, a large rehearsal space and an IT suite dedicated to music composition. 

Music at Ashford School is celebrated by a programme of highly successful and inspiring concerts throughout the school year where our pupils are encouraged to perform. 

We host and support the Ashford Youth Jazz Orchestra and Ashford School Voices, as well as being a centre for ABRSM and Trinity music exams.

Assessment:

External candidates are required to sit our school entry assessments and meet our minimum academic requirements.  If applying for a Music scholarship, candidates are required to send a summary of their musical achievements and interests with their Scholarship Application Form.  On review, the Director of Music will invite successful candidates to an audition.

At the Audition candidates will be expected to:   

• • Perform two contrasting pieces (pieces or extracts should be no longer than 2 minutes) 
  • Perform a third piece if they play two instruments (no longer than 2 minutes) 
  • Carry out a sight reading test in line with the candidate’s current grade 
  • Undertake an aural test in line with the candidate’s current grade 
  • Have a short informal interview with the Director of Music
     

Criteria for an Award: 

Candidates are expected to:  

• Be at least Grade 2 or above or show potential in, and talent on their chosen instrument / voice (Year 7)
• Be at least Grade 3 on one instrument/voice (Year 9)
• Have a record of progression through music examinations
• Have past experience of participating in an orchestra or choir
• Have experience of performing in concerts
• Have experienced live musical performances
• Be working towards/have an understanding of music theory
• Have a passion for playing music!

Our Music Package:

All Scholars gain from: 

• Specialist music equipment including the use of our Steinway Pianos 
• Experienced and professional visiting music teachers 
• Weekly music theory lessons 
• Regular performance opportunities 
• Year round mentoring programme focusing on monitoring progress 
• Master classes and workshops from professional musicians 
• Exposure to a variety of different musical genres through visits to concerts and productions
   

Our Expectation of Music Scholars:

Our Music Scholars will be expected to take yearly music examinations, to attend weekly music ensembles and take part in all concerts.

Scholars are expected to study Music at GCSE, alongside a strong commitment to co-curricular productions throughout the scholarship. Participation in at least one large ensemble is compulsory.

For the right candidates, scholars are encouraged to continue study into A Level.

To Apply:

External Pupils: Please complete both a School registration form and a Music Scholarship Application Form.

Existing Pupils of Ashford School: Please complete a Music Scholarship Application form.

Sport is an integral part of life at Ashford School. Our Sport Scholarship programme recognises pupils with exceptional sporting ability or athletic potential and a desire to improve, providing them with the support, knowledge and opportunities they need to progress. Ashford has a strong sporting culture, experienced coaches and a broad programme of competitive sport.  We want our scholars to become better athletes, better teammates and confident young people who understand what it takes to perform at their best.

Assessment:

Candidates are required to sit our school entry assessments and meet our minimum academic requirements. Further assessment is based on 4 areas:

1. Athleticism – Candidates will complete a series of age-appropriate physical activities designed to assess areas such as speed, agility, coordination, movement, power and endurance.
2. Sporting performance – Candidates will demonstrate their ability within their main sport(s).  We assess technical ability, decision-making, movement, game awareness and competitiveness.
3. Learning and adaptability – Candidates may be introduced to an unfamiliar activity or skill. We are interested in how pupils listen, learn, respond to feedback and adapt.
4. Athlete conversation – Candidates will have an informal conversation with a member of the sports department. We will explore their sporting experience, ambitions, attitude towards improvement and response to setbacks. We are interested in the person as well as the performer.

Our Sport Scholarship Package: 

Every Sport Scholar becomes part of the Ashford Athlete Programme.

As part of this programme, they will have access to:  

• Expert coaching 

• Excellent facilities 

• Strength and conditioning sessions 

• Fitness assessments 

• Sports psychology education 

• Nutrition and recovery education 

• Injury-prevention guidance, with access to our health centre and a 50% discount at Northside Clinic (physiotherapist on the school site)  

• Inspirational speakers and/or guest coaches 

• Individual mentoring 

• Leadership opportunities 

• Competitive opportunities 

• Guidance around external sporting pathways

Provision will be appropriate to the age, maturity and development needs of each scholar.

Our Expectation of Sport Scholars:

Being an Ashford Sport Scholar is both an opportunity and a responsibility. 

Scholars are expected to: 

• Represent Ashford School positively. 

• Participate fully in the school’s sporting programme. 

• Commit to their individual development. 

• Attend and engage with scholar-development opportunities. 

• Respond positively to coaching and feedback. 

• Demonstrate resilience, respect and good sportsmanship. 

• Support and encourage teammates. 

• Take increasing responsibility for their own development. 

• Maintain an appropriate balance between academic, sporting and personal commitments. 

We encourage younger scholars to experience a broad range of sports. As pupils become older, we recognise that some athletes may need to specialise appropriately in their main sport. GCSE, A Level or BTEC Sport are not compulsory for Sports Scholars.

To Apply: 

External Pupils: Please complete both a School registration form and a Sport Scholarship Application Form.

Existing Pupils of Ashford School: Please complete a Sport Scholarship Application Form.