Scholarships

We are seeking scholars who have potential in and a genuine passion for Art and Design. In order to demonstrate this, candidates are requested to submit a digital portfolio of a creative set of work of up to 10 slides. This can be emailed to year7admissions@notredame.co.uk on or before Monday 8 January 2024.

• The digital portfolio could include paintings, drawings, collage, print-making, textiles, photographs and other craft samples. 
• The work can include art ideas produced at home as well and at school. 
• The work should demonstrate the candidate’s knowledge of observational drawing, painting and design ideas. 
• It should also demonstrate the use of colour and ability to work with a variety of materials. 
• Sculptures and other 3D work must be photographed and presented as part of the digital portfolio. 

Please ensure all attachments are clearly labelled.

Practical assessment

Following an evaluation of all submissions, candidates may be invited to the practical assessment. During the assessment, candidates will be required to produce an observational drawing within one hour. This will be explained in full on the day. All materials and subject matter will be provided.

Supporting evidence

Please see the list below and provide as supporting evidence when applying for a Drama Scholarship. This can be emailed to year7admissions@notredame.co.uk on or before Wednesday 15 November 2023.

• A list of drama activities and productions the candidate has participated in.
• Any LAMDA/Guildhall/Festival comments sheets, if applicable.
• A short review written by the candidate of no more than 500 words evaluating a drama production they have seen. This will form the basis for an informal discussion.

Please ensure any attachments are clearly labelled.

Auditions

Following an evaluation of all supporting evidence, candidates may be invited to audition. The audition process is informal and relaxed as we want candidates to enjoy the experience and perform at their best. Candidates will need to have prepared a short character monologue from a play of no more than two minutes in length and be prepared to participate in a group drama workshop. 

Regrettably, due to the group work undertaken, alternative assessment dates are not available.

Auditions are by invitation only which will be sent during December 2023.

Accompaniment scores

Please submit any scores required for accompaniment by Monday 4 December 2023 to year7admissions@notredame.co.uk. We do not require further submissions such as certificates prior to audition.

Auditions

All candidates will be invited to audition. The audition process is informal and relaxed, as we want candidates to enjoy the experience and perform at their best. Students will be asked to perform unaccompanied or use their submitted accompaniment score. For the audition, each candidate should be prepared to:

• perform two contrasting solo pieces on her FIRST instrument.
• perform a solo on her SECOND instrument/voice, if more than one instrument.
• undertake some simple aural tests.
• provide information on her level of skill (for example, grade exams) and involvement in music in or out of school.

As part of the audition, the Director of Music will talk to the candidate about her music interests and activities as well as general interests and involvement in school life and outside school.

Candidates awarded a scholarship will be expected to make a strong contribution to the musical life of the school and encouraged to follow the music course to GCSE. They are also expected to complement their instrumental/vocal studies by participating in selected music ensembles and a choir.

Practical assessments are by invitation only which will be sent during December 2023.

Sport Scholarships are awarded to students with a proven high level of sporting ability and potential. Candidates are expected to offer at least one sport to a high standard. Candidates must also demonstrate flair for acquiring new skills as well as a passion and commitment to sport in general. It is expected that Sports Scholars will play a full role in the sporting life of the school. 

Supporting evidence

All candidates must submit a written record of their sporting achievements by Monday 15 November 2023. Please email this to year7admissions@notredame.co.uk including scanned or photos of awards and certificates, and photos of any cups or medals received. Please do not submit cups, medals, DVDs or original certificates or awards.

The written record could include: 

• how long the candidate has been participating in her chosen sport or sports 
• School/Club/County or National participation and level
• courses attended, awards gained (along with awarding body/level/year achieved) 
• details of positions of responsibility (e.g. captain) 
• references from sports club coaches 
• candidate’s aspirations 
• candidate’s other interests, sporting or otherwise, in and out of school 
• any other relevant information to support the candidate’s application.

Practical assessment

Candidates will be assessed in a variety of fundamental motor skills as well as their ability in a selection of activities. Girls should wear/bring: PE kit including shorts or skirt, indoor trainers, swimming costume, towel, swimming hat and goggles, as well as hockey stick, mouth guard and shin pads if they own these items. Further details will be provided at the time. 

Please note that due to the format of the practical assessment, candidates who do not attend on Friday 19 January cannot be considered for a Sports Scholarship.

13+ Academic Scholarships are awarded based on the results of a Scholarship examination which consists of:

1. Mathematics
2. English Reading Comprehension and Writing Task
3. Non-Verbal Reasoning

Candidates will be able to draw on a range of skills and experiences from the varied elements they will have learnt already and it is not necessary to prepare for this exam.

We are seeking scholars who have strong observational drawing skills, a creative flair and a genuine passion for the visual arts. In order to demonstrate this, candidates are requested to submit a digital portfolio and undertake a practical assessment.

Supporting evidence - digital portfolio submission

Candidates are requested to submit a digital portfolio of creative work, up to 10 slides, they have completed unaided. It is expected that you use work you have created at school as well as at home within your submission. This can be emailed to gstubberfield@notredame.co.uk on or before Friday 12 January 2024. The portfolio of work could include some of the following:

1. Drawings from direct observation, (not from pictures), some that are shaded and some using line only. They can be completed with a variety of materials such as; pencils, charcoal, fine-liner or colour pencils.
2. Your copies of paintings that you admire, using any materials which you feel are suitable. You can also include any other painting you have completed, or other artwork such as illustrations or designs.

Please ensure all attachments are clearly labelled.

Practical assessment

During the practical assessment you will be required to produce an observational drawing within 90 minutes. This will be explained in full on the day. All materials and subject matter will be provided.

Supporting evidence

Please see the list below and provide as supporting evidence when applying for a Drama Scholarship. This can be emailed to gstubberfield@notredame.co.uk on or before Friday 12 January 2024. 

• A list of drama activities and productions in which the candidate has participated.
• Any LAMDA / Guildhall / Festival comments sheets, if applicable.
• A short review of no more than 500 words of a live or digital/online/streamed theatre production they have seen. This will form the basis for an informal discussion.

Auditions

Following an evaluation of all supporting evidence, candidates will also be asked to undertake a short audition. The audition process is informal and relaxed as we want candidates to enjoy the experience and perform at their best.

For the audition, candidates will need to have prepared a short character monologue of no more than two minutes in length and be prepared to participate in a drama workshop.

Accompaniment scores

Please submit any scores required for accompaniment by Friday 5 January 2024 to gstubberfield@notredame.co.uk. We do not require further submissions such as certificates prior to audition. Applicants may bring their own accompanist if desired, but the Director of Music will gladly play any accompaniments that are required. Performing with backing tracks is permissible and the relevant files must be emailed to Mrs Gemma Stubberfield at gstubberfield@notredame.co.uk by Friday 5 January 2024.

Auditions

All candidates will be invited to audition. The audition process is informal and relaxed, as we want candidates to enjoy the experience and perform at their best. For the audition, each candidate should be prepared to:

• Perform two contrasting solo pieces on her FIRST instrument.
• If more than one instrument, perform a solo on her SECOND instrument/voice.
• Undertake some simple aural tests.
• Provide information on her level of skill (for example, practical exam grades/music theory) and involvement in music in or out of school.

Students will be asked to perform unaccompanied or use their submitted accompaniment score.

As part of the audition, the Director of Music will talk to the candidate about her music interests and activities as well as general interests and involvement in school life and outside school.

Candidates awarded a scholarship will be expected to make a strong contribution to the musical life of the school and encouraged to follow the music course to GCSE. All music scholars will be expected to support their musical progress by attending at least two of the many extracurricular Choirs and Instrumental Ensembles that take place at Notre Dame.

Sports Scholarships are awarded to students with a proven high level of sporting ability and potential. Candidates are expected to offer at least one sport to a high standard. Candidates must also demonstrate flair for acquiring new skills as well as a passion and commitment to sport in general.

It is expected that Sports Scholars will contribute to the sporting life of the school and engage with the Sports Scholars Programme.

Supporting evidence

Each candidate should submit a written record of their sporting achievements to Gemma Stubberfield, Marketing and Admissions Coordinator, by Friday 12 January 2024. This is to include scanned or photos of awards and certificates, and photos of any cups or medals being received. Please do not submit original certificates, awards, cups, medals, or DVDs.

The written record could include:

1. How long the candidate has been participating in her chosen sport or sports
2. School/Club/County or National participation
3. Courses attended, awards gained (along with awarding body/level/year achieved)
4. Details of positions of responsibility (e.g. captain)
5. Candidate’s aspirations
6. Candidate’s other interests, sporting or otherwise, in and out of school
7. Any other relevant information to support the candidate’s application

Interview

The scholarship assessment will include a 15-minute interview where the candidate will be invited to talk about their sporting achievements as well as considering the evidence from the portfolio.

Academic Scholarships in the Sixth Form are awarded based on the results of a Scholarship examination, an interview and the student’s mock examination results. The 45-minute online examination assesses logic, comprehension and thinking skills and is not subject specific. It consists of reading comprehension, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. The students will be able to draw on a range of skills and experiences from the varied elements of their GCSE courses and it is not necessary to prepare for this exam. We use Atom Learning for our examination who work with over 100 independent schools.

An interview will take place during which students will be asked to show a portfolio of work (which can be examination pieces if they wish – art and/or textiles) and should contain any extension work or creative work completed independently in addition to the project work completed in school.

An interview will be followed by the student’s performance of two contrasting audition monologues, each of no more than three minutes in length, one of which should be a period text. Students are also invited to submit a written review, not exceeding 1,000 words, of a production they have seen at any time (live theatre production or a theatre production viewed via an online source). The review might cover the acting performances, design ideas and directorial elements. All drama scholars will be encouraged to be involved in the extra-curricular drama productions and events in the school.

A performance, aural test and interview will take place. Students are required to prepare two contrasting pieces on their first instrument/voice. The combined performances should last no more than 10 minutes. If the candidate has a second instrument/voice, then they should also prepare one piece lasting no more than 4 minutes.

Those holding the award will be expected to make a strong contribution to the musical life of the school. All music scholars will also be required to be members of the school orchestra, at least one of the choirs, and other chamber ensembles as directed by the Head of Music.

Students are required to submit a short covering letter, no longer than one side of A4, stating why they think they should be awarded a sport scholarship. An interview will also take place in which students will be invited to talk about their sporting achievements.