Year 7 FAQ

To apply for a Scholarship please complete the online Scholarship Application Form and provide any supporting evidence required, clearly labelled with the applicant’s name by post or by hand to the Admissions Office, Surbiton High School, 13-15 Surbiton Crescent, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 2JT.

Your daughter may apply for more than one Scholarship and fee remissions may be combined with Bursary awards. If she performs exceptionally well in more than one Scholarship assessment, she may be considered for the Principal’s Award. Please note that candidates cannot apply for the Principal’s Award.

Applications and supporting evidence for 2023 entry must be received by the deadline of 12.00pm on Thursday 3 November 2022. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Portfolios, other than Art Portfolios, will not automatically be returned. If you wish to collect your portfolio, please arrange this with the Admissions office after the outcome of the Scholarships and Entrance Examinations are announced, portfolios not collected by the end of the Summer Term will be disposed of securely.

Our Art Scholarship programme is challenging and inspiring. We aim to extend artistic skills and promote the love of learning through creative investigations and opportunities for pupils. Candidates applying will need to demonstrate a high level of talent in Art and Design; well above the normal level of ability for their age. We expect them to be able to talk enthusiastically about their work and show ability and skill in more than one area. Candidates must genuinely enjoy spending time making Art, and should be able to talk freely about Art and Artists, citing examples, and giving insightful answers to questions without having been rehearsed. We request a portfolio of work, produced at home or school during the last year, clearly labelled on the outside with the candidate’s name, and a report from her Art teacher.

The portfolio should be between 10 and 20 sheets, no bigger than A1 size. We also request to see one or more sketchbook(s). The work should be clearly presented and not contain any 3D pieces. If any pieces are larger than the required size or are 3D, they should be photographed. Please note that we would not recommend Manga-style or cartoon character drawings in a portfolio.

Art Portfolio Guidance

Dance Scholarships
Dance Scholarships are awarded to talented performers who are willing to participate in the full range of dance and performing arts opportunities we have at School.

In order to apply, please submit the following to the Director of Dance:

• A report or reference from a Dance teacher, including any relevant performance, experience and/or successes
• Approximately one to two minutes (maximum) of a filmed performance supplied via WeTransfer www.wetransfer.com to admissions@surbitonhigh.com, with the file saved as your daughter’s name and Scholarship discipline
• A current photo of your daughter

The Head of Dance will review applications and performance footage in order to shortlist candidates. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an audition.

Audition for Shortlisted Applicants

There are two parts to the Dance audition: a group workshop and a solo performance. The workshop involves a range of practical activities and does not require any preparation.

The solo performance must be prepared in advance and should last up 1 minute 30 seconds in length. Dance candidates can choose to perform a dance piece in their preferred dance style. Please note that performances exceeding this time limit will be stopped to ensure that all candidates have a comparable audition length.

Scholarships are offered based on performance during the assessment. The Dance Scholarship requires focus, discipline, creativity and passion, not just talent. Therefore, we look at how candidates create, perform and respond in the audition, as well as their attitude and approach. There are no requirements in terms of dance grades to make an application.

Drama and Performing Arts Scholarships

Drama and Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded to talented performers who are willing to take full advantage of all opportunities to participate in Drama or Performing Arts at School. The application and audition process are the same for both Scholarships.

In order to apply, please submit the following to the Director of Drama, Dance Performing Arts:

• A report or reference from a Drama, Dance or English teacher, including any relevant performance, experience and/or successes
• Approximately two minutes (maximum) of a filmed performance supplied via WeTransfer www.wetransfer.com to admissions@surbitonhigh.com, with the file saved as your daughter’s name and Scholarship discipline
• A current photo of your daughter

The Directors of Drama and Dance will review applications and performance footage in order to shortlist candidates. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an audition.

Audition for Shortlisted Applicants

There are two parts to the audition: a group workshop and a solo performance. The workshop involves a range of practical activities and does not require any preparation. The solo performance must be prepared in advance and should last up to two minutes in length. Please note that performances exceeding this time limit will be stopped to ensure all candidates have a comparable audition length.

• Drama applicants should prepare a monologue from a published play text
• Performing Arts candidates should prepare a musical theatre piece

Scholarships are offered based on performance during the assessment. The Performing Arts and Drama Scholarships require focus, discipline, creativity and passion; not just talent. Therefore, we look at how candidates create, perform and respond in the audition, as well as their attitude and approach. There are no requirements in terms of acting or musical theatre grades to be able to apply.

Music Scholars should demonstrate exceptional musical talent and are expected to participate fully in the musical life of the School.

In order to apply, candidates should have reached Grade 4 (minimum) on their principal instrument by the date of the Entrance Examination.

If your daughter meets this criteria, the next stage is to complete an application and submit a two-minute video of your daughter performing on her principal instrument via WeTransfer
www.wetransfer.com to admissions@surbitonhigh.com, with the file saved as your daughter’s name and Scholarship discipline, and http://www.wetransfer.com/ written reference from her teacher for each instrument.

Shortlisting of Candidates
The Director of Music will review each video audition and shortlisted candidates will be invited to an audition.

Audition for Shortlisted Candidates
Candidates should prepare a performance (no longer than 3 minutes) which contrasts their application submission. An accompanist can be provided if required. Candidates may also supply their own accompanist, and this should be arranged in advance with the Director of Music.

Candidates will be required to complete some aural skill tasks, a sight-reading task and to discuss their musical experiences, interests and ambitions in a brief interview with the panel.

Music Scholars are expected to participate in two Surbiton High School ensembles in Year 7 and 8 and progress to leadership in a third ensemble in Years 9-11. In addition, Scholars are also expected to take a lead in Music Department events and competitions and participate in evening events where requested. When awarded for Year 7 entry, it is expected that candidates will study Music at GCSE.

Sports Scholarships are available in the following areas: Cricket, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Skiing and Tennis. Candidates are welcome to submit applications for more than one sport should they wish. An individual portfolio must be provided for each application.

Minimum criteria for eligibility for Sports Scholarship applications:

• Cricket: Currently training and competing at Club level for at least a year
• Football: Candidates must be an outstanding ‘A’ team player or equivalent in their current school setting and an excellent club level performer.
• Gymnastics: Currently training in a competitive squad at an external gymnastics club for a minimum of one year and competing to regional level as a minimum requirement.
• Hockey: Candidates must have been playing Club Hockey for at least a year
• Netball: Must be playing for, or on the waiting list for a Junior Club, or talent-spotted by a Surbiton High School member of staff
• Skiing: In order to apply for a Skiing Scholarship, candidates must be a member of a recognised Ski Race Club with previous race experience.
• Tennis: Players will be heavily involved in a club programme, ideally at a County or Regional Performance development centre and have a strong National Ranking for their respective age groups

Further to this, you will be required to provide the following information for these specific sports:

Cricket:

• Video footage of your daughter training or competing. The video must include performances of batting, bowling and fielding skills *

Gymnastics:

• Two gymnastic-related references, one of which must be from your daughter’s current Gymnastics Club
• Video footage of your daughter training or competing *

Skiing:

• Video footage of your daughter training/competing, include technical skiing and skiing gates *

Tennis:

• British Tennis Member number
• LTA rating/ranking
• Details of LTA National Talent ID days, County, Regional or National training camp invites or County Cup invites
• Details of your daughter’s regular training schedule
• Referee name, role, club
• Name of club your daughter trains with and her primary coach

* Video footage supplied via WeTransfer www.wetransfer.com to admissions@surbitonhigh.com, with the file saved as your daughter’s name and Scholarship discipline.

Portfolio:

If you feel that your daughter meets the relevant criteria, the next stage is to complete an application and submit references and/or a portfolio, including an up-to-date photo and as much information as possible. This can include information such as:

• School level representation, competitions competed and place achieved at Club level or representative level
• Amount of training, ranking or awards gained
• Referee name, role, club, email address and contact phone number for reference request if shortlisted. (Gymnastics requires 2 referees, one of which must be the current gymnastics club)
• Name of Club your daughter represents and contact details for her Coach
• Sporting achievements relevant to your daughter’s sport application
• Further information on any extra-curricular competitive sports that your daughter participates in
• The position your daughter plays for her team sport (where relevant).

Shortlisting and Assessment

The Heads of Sport review each portfolio and, if required, will visit during school or Club level competitions to see your daughter in action. All coaches/PE teachers of shortlisted candidates will be sent a reference request link to complete – please ensure you provide accurate contact details and a valid email address of the referees in your application. Shortlisted applicants are invited to attend an assessment session. Further information about the assessment will be sent out nearer the time. Pupils may be asked to complete stamina and skill-based tests in isolation or in small competitive situations, and engage in normal game play. Surbiton High Staff will interact with pupils on a one-to-one basis, but a formal interview will not be conducted.

The Principal’s Award celebrates outstanding achievement and is awarded to a candidate(s) in recognition of their exceptional performance. Please note that candidates cannot apply for the Principal’s Award.

All candidates who sit the Year 7 Entrance Examination on the published examination date will be considered for an Academic Scholarship. For entry in to Year 7 in September, the Entrance Examination will be held in the January of that year. Academic Scholarships are awarded solely on performance in both of the Entrance Examination papers and cannot be applied for in advance.

Scholarships awarded in Year 7 will be reviewed on an annual basis until Year 11. Candidates will then have the opportunity to apply for Sixth Form Scholarships in Year 11.

Scholars are expected to participate fully in their area of excellence for the duration of their time at the School.

Girls awarded an Academic Scholarship will be expected to take part in appropriately directed academic pursuits throughout the year and, at the end of each year, to perform on average in the top 25% of the year group in internal examinations. Some examples of activities we would encourage Scholars to participate may include:

• Leading year group and whole School assemblies (with support from relevant members of staff)
• Entering School, local, national and international competitions in subject areas that are of interest to them
• Taking time during weekends and/or holidays to explore their learning beyond the classroom, through directed and bespoke targets set by members of staff.

Terms and Conditions of Awards – Scholarships

We offer a limited number of means-tested Church Schools Foundation Bursaries. These are awarded from Year 7 until Year 11 of the Senior School and are reviewed annually. We do not offer full bursaries and parents are expected to make a contribution to the fees. Please note that Bursary applications for combined incomes over £70,000 may not be considered.

If you have more than one child attending any of the three Surbiton High Schools at the same time, they will be eligible for a sibling discount. The discount for the second sibling is 5%, rising to 10% for the third and any subsequent siblings.

There is also a percentage reduction in the fees for daughters of full time members of the Clergy.

• Church Schools Foundation Bursary Application Form
• Clergy Bursary Application Form 

The majority of activities, clubs and clinics are open to all pupils and we pride ourselves on providing a broad and enriching curriculum and co-curricular programme that stretches and challenges pupils.