At Leighton Park, a limited number of scholarships are granted for entry to Year 7, Year 9 and Sixth Form, to prospective and existing students of the School.
Awarded on the basis of a competitive process, candidates can apply for any combination of scholarships but can only receive a fee remission of up to 30% of the Day Fee. The Scholar enjoys benefits from a package of support with exclusive access to facilities to help them develop their talents.
Once received, a scholarship customarily lasts throughout the student’s time at Leighton Park but is subject to a satisfactory review of progress each year.
How to apply
Applications for September 2025 will be open in September 2024.
You can read more in our Scholarships Booklet.
There are four categories of scholarship. Each scholarship offers a programme of support for each Scholar in their specialist area and carries a level of responsibility to act as an ambassador for their subject.
Scholarship packages include exciting benefits such as free instrumental lessons in Music or membership of our Advanced Performer Programme (APP) and access to our Go Perform partnership in Sport.
Explanations of each scholarship programme; the application process, benefits and expectations, are detailed on this page.
If you should have any additional queries please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected] or call 0118 987 9608.
Academic Scholarships cannot be applied for for Year 7 or Year 9 entry.
Year 7 candidates will be selected following the entrance tests and will be invited to attend an individual interview with a member of the English or Maths department.
Year 9 candidates will be selected following the entrance tests and will be given the choice of subjects to be assessed on. They will have a Scholar’s interview with a member of our academic team. Internal candidates should submit the application form publicised via the weekly eBulletin. The Academic Assessment Day for Year 9 candidates is Wednesday 27th November.
Lower Sixth candidates will need to apply for an academic scholarship. Candidates will be invited to sit written assessments in a maximum of 2 subjects and have a Scholar’s interview with a member of our academic team on Wednesday 20th November 2024.
Please note, that in order to suitably assess a candidate’s natural academic aptitude, we will not be issuing exemplar test papers or any further details regarding Scholar’s interviews in advance of the scholarship assessment day. Students are unable to take the French, Spanish or Mandarin paper if this is a home language, spoken by one or more parents.
Every Lower Sixth student will be required to submit a maximum of 250 words expressing why they would like to be a Scholar in their chosen subject(s).
Scholars are expected to make an active contribution to departments and their own development through:
Candidates are requested to submit a portfolio of work and a maximum of 250 words expressing why they would like to be an Art Scholar at Leighton Park.
The portfolio is one of the most important aspects of the Scholarship submission. It should show an understanding of representational drawing, as well as a personal response to the individual’s own experiences, environment and culture. The work submitted need not be restricted to drawings and paintings, but may show evidence of a broad area of study, which might include, for example, prints, photographs or ceramics. Within a portfolio we are looking for the ability to record observations and experiences, develop ideas through various materials and techniques, and communicate ideas and feelings in a visual form.
Candidates successful at the initial screening will be invited to take a short practical exam. In advance of the assessment day, candidates will receive an examination paper and are advised to spend some time producing preliminary/supporting studies. This work forms a very important part of the examination. We are looking for ideas from various sources, the development of these ideas and an ability to work independently towards a final piece. The final piece will need to be produced unaided and under supervision in the Art Department.
In the final stage of the assessment process each candidate is interviewed by a member of the Art Department. This is an opportunity to discuss their portfolio and general interests.
Art Scholarship Assessment Day: Wednesday 4th December
Scholars are expected to make an active contribution to the Art Department and their own development through:
Candidates are requested to provide support for their application in the form of examination certification (RAD, ISTD, BBO, NATD). If this is not available, information on the student’s involvement relating to performance, choreography, critical appreciation or design within dance should be provided. Candidates are also required to submit a maximum of 250 words expressing why they would like to be a Dance Scholar at Leighton Park.
The Dance Department encourages applications from students interested in all aspects of performance, and wishes to emphasise that scholarships are also open to students who are keen to pursue their interest in the choreographic, critical analysis and design aspects of dance.
Candidates successful at the initial screening, will be invited to audition. The dance audition performance will be a choreographed solo in response to a selected stimulus. In the final stage of the assessment process each candidate will take part in a group practical workshop followed by an interview with a member of the Dance Department. This is an opportunity to discuss their dance ambitions and general interests.
Dance Scholarship Assessment Day: Thursday 5th December.
Scholars are expected to make an active contribution to the Dance Department and their own development through:
Candidates are requested to provide support for their application in the form of examination certification (LAMDA/RADA) or some form of drama grading. If this is not available, information on the student’s involvement relating to performance, design or technical support within drama must be provided. Students are also required to submit a maximum of 250 words expressing why they would like to be a Drama Scholar at Leighton Park.
The Drama Department encourages applications from students interested in all aspects of performance, and wishes to emphasise that scholarships are also open to students who are keen to pursue their interest in the technical and design aspects of theatre.
Candidates successful at the initial screening will be invited to audition or present their portfolio. The audition performance could be any scripted piece from any medium and time period or even an original presentation devised by the student themselves. The design portfolio, which is also to be submitted, could include original designs for costume, lighting or sound together with any visual evidence of the candidate’s interest in these areas.
In the final stage of the assessment process each candidate is interviewed by a member of the Drama Department. This is an opportunity to discuss their theatrical ambitions and general interests.
Drama Scholarship Assessment Day: Friday 6th December
Scholars are expected to make an active contribution to the Drama Department and their own development through:
This scholarship is open to Lower Sixth candidates aaplying for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.
Candidates will be invited to a Scholar’s interview with a member of our senior academic team and they will be required to write a scholar’s essay.
IB Scholar Assessment Day: Wednesday 20th November.
Scholars are expected to make an active contribution to the IB Diploma programme, their respective departments and their own personal development through:
Candidates are requested to provide support for their application in the form of graded examination and theory certificates (if applicable). If the student’s current music teacher would like to provide a reference, this should be included in their application. Students are also required to submit a maximum of 250 words expressing why they would like to be a Music Scholar at Leighton Park. Both practical performers and aspiring composers are encouraged to apply.
Candidates will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces for the first instrument offered and one for any subsequent instrument. Compositions can be included as an ‘instrument’. Voice is included as an instrument.
In the final stage of the assessment process each candidate is interviewed by our Director of Music, and is encouraged to talk generally about their musical experience and ambitions. We expect students to demonstrate evidence of widening musical interests and to complete some aural tests.
Please note candidates are assessed on the basis of musical potential as well as prior musical achievement. Associated Board practical exams and other examination boards are a useful indicator but other factors are considered.
Music Scholarship Assessment Day: Monday 25th November
Scholars are expected to make an active contribution to the Music Department and their own development through:
Candidates are requested to provide evidence of playing for a rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, football, tennis or athletics team at county level or equivalent, or be on an advanced pathway, to support their application. Students who play alternative sports will also be considered but should be able to evidence playing their sport at a level that is considered elite. It must be noted that the final decision on these criteria will be down to the discretion of the Director of Sport.
Students are also required to submit a maximum of 250 words expressing why they would like to be a Sports Scholar at Leighton Park.
Candidates are asked to submit references from clubs/trainers inside or outside of school can also be submitted along with competition results, personal bests and other evidence of achievement. Successful candidates will be expected to attend an assessment day during which they will participate in a range of sports and will cover sports specific practices and conditioned games. They will be assessed on their general level of fitness through aptitude tests, their adaptability and ability to transfer and link their dominant skills to other sports, their response to coaching and their leadership skills.
In the final stage of the assessment process each candidate is interviewed by the Director of Sport. Students are encouraged to talk generally about their sporting experience and ambitions.
Sport Scholarship Assessment Day: Tuesday 3rd December
Sports Scholars are expected to play a leading role in the sporting life of the School and should give a high level of commitment to School sport across all three terms throughout their school career.
This scholarship is for Sixth Form candidates only. The STEAM Scholarship recognises excellence in creative problem solving and interdisciplinary approaches, where students are able to demonstrate a passion for tackling complex problems by combining creative habits of mind with the analytical skills from STEM.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate good grades in any relevant subject alongside a strong interest in, and capability for, entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary approaches. They should have a passion for creative problem solving and innovative thinking with a desire to change the world for the better.
Students are required to submit their application form which includes a maximum of 500 words expressing why they would like to be a STEAM Scholar at Leighton Park.
Successful candidates will then be invited to a formal selection process for which they will need to submit a portfolio of evidence such as letters of recommendation, class work, practical work or visual media, and prepare a 5 minute presentation on what they would do to promote STEAM at Leighton Park. They will also be asked to read up and reflect on current issues and developments as they will be asked about something in STEAM that has inspired them recently.
During the selection process there would also be an unseen task, which students will be given 10 minutes prior to the interview to prepare for, and a short general interview.
STEAM Scholarship Assessment Day: Wednesday 20th November
Scholars are expected to make an active contribution to STEAM and their own development through:
This scholarship is for Sixth Form candidates only. The Ethical Changemaker Scholarship recognises students with a determined desire to change the world. This scholarship aims to give the School’s Quaker values currency and purpose and focuses on values-led leadership and active citizenship.
This focus draws on the impressive history of Quakers who set up forward-thinking businesses that treated staff and suppliers fairly and created social good, such as Cadburys, and well-known charities and campaigning organisations, such as Amnesty International.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate good grades in relevant examinations to date e.g. Global Perspectives, Geography, Religious Studies or Philosphy, as well as a track record of success in one or more of the following areas:
Candidates are required to submit a maximum of 500 words expressing why they would like to be an Ethical Changemaker Scholar.
This process will include a presentation on a suitable topic which will be followed by panel interview. The topic for the presentation will be communicated at the appropriate time.
Ethical Changemaker Scholarship Assessment Day: Wednesday 20th November
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