Scholarships

Each year the school offers a number of scholarships for pupils who wish to study art and design in the Sixth Form. The Art and Design Scholars have a prestigious role in the work of the art department. The award of a scholarship recognises the fact that the recipient is talented, able and that they also have a great deal of artistic potential.

It is required that an Art and Design Scholar will:

• Study Art and Design as a subject at A Level.
• Take pride in their own work and approach their studies with dedication and seriousness at all times.
• Continue to achieve a high academic standard in Art and Design during their A Level studies.
• Act as a role model for his/her peer group and the younger pupils in the school. Specifically, this means that the Scholar will be a ‘good’ student. Punctual in terms of handing their homework in on time, meeting deadlines and making the most productive use of their time in school.
• Represent and support the department as required particularly at public functions - such as school exhibitions, school art events, Open Days and contribute to the department’s participation in the art and Design High Achievers Programme.
• Participate in internal and external competitions.

To apply for a Sixth Form Art and Design Scholarship candidates will need to:

• Submit a portfolio of recent practical work and attend an interview with the Head of Art and Design.

In the interview the portfolio will be reviewed and the Head of Art and Design will ask the candidate about their work and their thoughts and feelings about a number of topics connected to the wider world of art and design and contemporary visual culture. The portfolio can consist of any GCSE work that the candidate has already completed, or work that is still in progress. For example, sketchbooks, other preparatory work such as larger scale drawings or paintings, sculptures, textiles, photographs, digital works and any final pieces. The portfolio can also include any self-directed work completed in addition to formal academic studies.

Work of a high standard is of course important, but the potential scholar should also be diligent and committed to the subject. Each candidate’s work is individual and quite different, but we will be looking for someone whose portfolio of work shows evidence of the following:

• To have achieved or be expected to achieve a 9 or 8 standard.
• An ability to work confidently in a range of media.
• A body of work that shows a willingness to experiment and a strong development of personal themes and content.
• A sophisticated and thoughtful use of art and design sources - such as the work of other practitioners.
• Successful, high quality preparatory work and final piece(s).