Criteria

Art Scholars at St Dunstan’s make a significant contribution to all aspects of artistic provision, and to do so effectively they must be able to demonstrate a passion for the subject. Candidates are expected to be self-reflective and to have a clear idea of how they can develop their own work; to be curious, visiting galleries and museums on a regular basis; and to have a broad range of artistic skills. Their dedication to the subject should be combined with a high level of creativity.

Supporting Evidence 

Each candidate will need to submit the following:

1. A digital portfolio of between 5-10 pieces of work in a variety of mediums showcasing technical skills e.g. drawing, painting, 3D work, textiles, photography or video. Please ensure quality photographs, save the images in a single document (Word, PowerPoint or Pdf) and include the candidates name in the file name. 
2. At least one written reference from a teacher of art or external art tutor, highlighting the candidate’s commitment, aptitude and interest in art. Two references may be provided if you wish.
3. A personal statement, detailing why they wish to apply for an art scholarship and what they would bring to our St Dunstan's art community. This statement should be no more than 300 words.

Assessment Day - Wednesday 20 January 2027

Candidates should bring a physical portfolio of their artwork. This needs to be clearly labelled with their full name.

All candidates will be assessed in two tasks:

1. Realistic, observational, tonal drawing.

•  Assessing technical graphite skills and understanding of proportions, textures and shading.

2.  A creative, personal response to a given theme.

•   Assessing original and creative approaches to the reinterpretation of an artwork through colour and mixed media.

There will also be a short, informal interview with the Head of Art, where candidates will talk through selected pieces from their portfolio.

Criteria

At St Dunstan’s we hold a firm belief in the power of the ensemble, which is why an applicant’s ability to inspire others when working as part of a group is such a key part of the assessment process.  Clearly, individual performance skills are key indicators of potential, but this must be combined with the ability to think imaginatively and creatively, in order to create performances that are both unique and high quality. We believe in the value of a broad range of experiences, and invite applications from candidates with backgrounds in a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to acting, directing and dance.

Supporting Evidence 

Each candidate will need to submit the following:

1. Personal statement communicating their opinions on theatre, their theatrical experience and what it would mean to be a scholar. It should be no more than 300 words.

2. A short video consisting of a 1-2 minute piece performed by the candidate which can be a monologue, dance, or musical theatre performance. File size should not exceed 250MB and the file should be submitted in mp4 format.

3. At least one written reference from a teacher of drama or external director/club leader. Two references may be provided if you wish. 

Assessment Day - Wednesday 20 or Thursday 21 January 2027

Candidates will be invited to spend a day at the College in the company of current scholars and members of the Department.

Candidates will be asked to prepare a monologue prior to the day (different to the application), which they will perform to a group at the assessment. The monologue may be from a play, a dramatic poem or a self-written piece and should be 1-2 minutes. 

Introductions and Ice Breakers

All candidates will meet in the morning for an ice-breaker session with the Drama department, with current Scholars and the department also being introduced.

Stage Acting

Each candidate will be provided with an unseen duologue from a published play text at the beginning of this session. They will attend an acting session where they will be given direction and acting notes on the piece. Following time given to rehearse, they will then be invited share their work with the group.

Devising

Each candidate will take part in a devising session based on an unseen stimulus that will be provided to them on the day. Candidates will work in groups to respond in a creative way to the stimulus they have been given and share their work with the group.

Musical Theatre

Each candidate will attend a musical theatre session, where they will be led through an unseen musical theatre number that they will perform in small groups. The focus is on characterisation and physicality as opposed to choreography.

Dance and Movement

Each candidate will attend a dance and movement session with a professional choreographer, in which they will be taught a choreographed number and then invited to share their work within small performance groups.

Q&A Session with Current Scholars

Candidates will partake in an open Q&A session with current scholars who will provide an insight into their experience of the College as well as providing clarity on any  questions that may arise.

Criteria

Music Scholars define the ethos of the Music Department by their high levels of enthusiasm, motivation, individual achievement and group collaboration. The audition process assesses these qualities and aims to discover the candidate’s musical potential and ambitions, as well as their current standard.

Candidates are generally expected to be of a standard where they are working towards Grade 5 level or above on their principal instrument or voice. However, we also welcome applications from students who may not yet be at this level but demonstrate long-term musical potential, particularly where their first study is a less common ensemble instrument. 

A Music Scholarship includes both a fee remission and free tuition in the applicant’s principal instrument.

The Music Department also offers standalone Benson Exhibition Awards, which provide students with free tuition in their principal instrument, equivalent to approximately £940. Exhibitions may be awarded  based on potential in an instrument and are awarded through the same scholarship audition process.

Supporting Evidence 

Each candidate will need to submit the following:

1. Personal statement, detailing their current involvement and aspirations in music and why they wish to be a music scholar. The personal statement should be no more than 300 words.

2.At least one reference from their music teacher, along with any recent music grade certificates or awards. Two references may be provided if you wish. 

Assessment Day -  Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 January 2027. 

The audition process comprises:

• Performance of two pieces on their main instrument or voice, or one piece on their main instrument and another on a second or third. We provide a professional accompanist and a rehearsal on the day of the audition, although the candidate is permitted to arrange a private accompanist.
• A sight-reading exercise on the applicant’s main instrument.
• A series of aural tests. These include singing back a melody, identifying the notes of a chord, and clapping back rhythms.
• An informal interview, which will discuss their performances, ambitions as a scholar and their written application.

The Director of Music is always happy to offer prospective scholars further information about the music department and the Music Scholarship programme.  Please email mdowd@stdunstans.org.uk

Criteria

Candidates are expected to be actively involved in competitive sport across a variety of disciplines, both at school and club level. We would particularly encourage applicants from a football, hockey, netball or swimming background. Applications from students performing at a high level in other sports are welcomed and will be considered. As a guide, we would expect candidates to be competing at least at club level, in addition to representing their school. Details of current involvement will be reviewed as part of the initial assessment process.

Supporting Evidence 

Each candidate will need to submit the following:

1. At least one reference from a sports teacher or external coach in support of their application. A second reference is not essential, but we encourage you to provide one if you can.

2. A list of the sports teams/ clubs they currently represent, including the name of the team/club (where applicable).

Assessment Day - Thursday 28 or Friday 29 January 2027

All candidates will be assessed in:

• Fitness and multi-sport assessment: A series of fitness tests, challenges, and multi-sport games designed to assess students’ physical literacy, as well as their personal, social, and cognitive skills.
• Sport-specific assessment: Activities focused on technical proficiency and gameplay in our Core Sports. All candidates will take part in both a football session and a hockey session on the day, regardless of whether these are their main sports.