Scholarships & Bursaries

The small class sizes and individual attention given to all pupils at Kent College allow our teachers to nurture academic ability, and to encourage intellectual development. Our excellent results reflect our passion for learning.

Year 7 (age 11+)
For Year 7 entry, all pupils are automatically considered for an Academic scholarship based on the results of the Kent College entrance tests held in January. No additional registration is required.

Year 9 (age 13+)
For Year 9 entry, Common Entrance results may be considered as a proxy for the Kent College entrance tests.

Year 12 (age 16+)
For Year 12 entry, predicted GCSE results may be considered. As well as Academic scholarships, applicants into Year 12 wishing to take the International Baccalaureate have the option of applying for an IB Scholarship.

The IB scholarship is awarded to students studying the International Baccalaureate, and is worth up to 50% remission of fees.

As an IB scholar we expect you to demonstrate your enthusiasm and excitement for the IB, this may be by helping with presentations about the IB or showcasing your work to potential IB students – you will be an advocate for the IB. You must maintain high levels of effort and achievement throughout the IB course.

Application process: you must produce two pieces of written work and attend a short interview. The first report (maximum 300 words) should explain why you particularly want to study the IB. The second (maximum 1,000 words) should be an extended piece of writing based on an area of research that you have completed. This might be research based on reading or possibly some form of experiment/investigation. The short interview focuses on the content of the two written reports.

The two pieces of written work must be submitted together electronically to the Deputy Head (Mr Letley) by 1st March.

Art scholarships in Years 7, 9 and 12 are awarded on the basis of individual assessment by the Head of Art, and recommendation to the Head Master.

What is expected of me?

We are looking for students with exceptional abilities in Art and Design.

What will be asked of me?

You will be asked to submit a portfolio of work. It is expected that the portfolio will showcase each student’s personal skill and abilities in connection with the artistic process. Please include all work that demonstrates your creative skills. This may include school-based projects, home-based hobbies and activities, work from workshops, illustrated written work, studies on artists you admire, scrap sketchbooks, photos or 3D work, and evidence of observational drawing. You will have a short interview with the Head of Art to discuss your work and portfolio. There will also be a supervised test in which students will be asked to demonstrate their drawing and observational skills. In exceptional circumstances, if a student does not have a portfolio of work they may still apply to sit the studio tests and interview with the Head of Art.

What do I have to do to maintain my scholarship?

Art scholars in Years 7 to 9 must attend Art Club weekly. Art scholars in Years 7 to 13 must enter all internal or external competitions designated by the Head of Art.

Design scholarships in Years 9 and 12 are awarded on the basis of individual assessment by the Head of Design and Technology, and recommendation to the Head Master.

What is expected of me?

We are looking for students with a passion for and interest in all aspects of Design.

What will be asked of me?

Candidates for Design scholarships will be asked to:

• Complete an individual design task.
• Show a 'portfolio' of work that demonstrates things the applicant has sketched, built, tinkered with, fixed, generally designed or made that demonstrate an outside of school interest for the subject
• Have a short interview with a member of the Design department about your prior experience, skills, passions, and general interest within the subject

For more information contact the Head of Design: Mr P Farnsworth.

Drama scholarships in Years 7, 9 and 12 are awarded on the basis of individual assessment by the Head of Drama, and recommendation to the Head Master.

What is expected of me?

We are looking for dramatic students! We want students who have a passion for Drama and Theatre even if your skills are not yet fully developed.

What will I be asked to do at the audition?

We will ask you to perform a monologue, which will be sent to you once you have registered for the Drama scholarship. The pieces demonstrate a contrast in characters or theatre styles, and each should last between 1 and 2 minutes. One will be a Shakespeare monologue and the other a contemporary piece. Additionally, you will have a brief, informal interview with the Head of Drama where you can talk about what you have just presented, and tell us about your dramatic interests and experience.

What standards are expected?

We need to see that you have some previous experience in Drama. Perhaps you have followed a drama course in school or special drama workshops outside school, such as Youth Theatre. You will probably have taken part in a staged production.

What do I have to do to maintain my scholarship?

Apart from attending regular drama classes, you will be expected to join our after-school Drama clubs and play a major part in helping to organise as well as performing in school productions. Older Drama scholars will also be encouraged to assist in the running of drama workshops for younger pupils. But most important of all, we expect our Drama scholars to show their enthusiasm and excitement about drama to the rest of the school.

Music scholarships into Years 7, 9 and 12 are awarded on the basis of individual assessment by the Director of Music, and recommendation to the Head Master.

The Director of Music is always available to discuss how Kent College might shape prospective pupils’ future in music. If you are considering applying for a scholarship but would like further information or any advice on the process, you are encouraged to make an appointment to visit the music department ahead of the official Music Scholarship application deadline.

What is expected of me?

We are looking for musical students. We don’t expect to find the finished product but we do want students with a passion for Music, who can demonstrate high potential on an instrument or voice, and who are excited about being part of the musical life of the school.

What musical standard is required?

Applicants should be at or above these ABRSM/Trinity standards on their main instrument or voice at the time of auditioning: Year 7 – Grade 3, Year 9 – Grade 5, Year 12 – Grade 6-7. If significant progress has been made in a short time but these recommended levels have not quite been reached, or the applicant has never taken grade exams, the Director of Music should be contacted to discuss potential applications.

What will I be asked to do on the audition day?

On the audition day, you will be invited to attend either a morning or afternoon session in a group along with other applicants. During this time you will take part in a variety of musical activities, including some ensemble playing and singing, as well as an opportunity to meet current Music Scholars and members of Music Department staff.

Within the session you will have an individual audition when we ask you to perform a piece on your main instrument (or voice) and on a second instrument if you play one. If your pieces are written to be played with an accompaniment, you should bring these with you, as a member of our music staff will accompany at the piano. We would also like you to sing a short song of your choice and there will be some general aural tests. You will have the opportunity to talk to us about your musical interests, and the session will end with a very informal ensemble concert which we invite parents to attend. Recent Grade marksheets and a reference from a current music teacher should be brought along on the day of the audition.

What do I have to do fulfill my role as a Music Scholar when I attend Kent College?

It is expected that a Music Scholar will show significant development on their instrument/voice during their time at Kent College and play a full and active role in the busy day to day life of the school’s music. You will be asked to perform in, and attend regular concerts, both in school and at outside events. A more detailed breakdown of specific activities and expectations is issued to all Music Scholars and is available to potential applicants if requested.

Sport scholarships in Years 7, 9, and 12 are awarded on the basis of individual assessment by the Head of Sport, and recommendation to the Head Master.

What is expected of me?

We are looking for students who can offer two major sports to a high standard or any one sport to an exceptionally high standard. The list of sports below is a guide and should not preclude any candidate who has reached an exceptional standard in another sport that is not on the list. A high level of ability and obvious potential will be of most importance. Major sports – boys: Hockey, Rugby, Cricket and Tennis. Major sports – girls: Hockey, Netball and Tennis.

What will be asked of me?

You will be asked to attend a practical test which will include the following:

• Boys – Cricket, Hockey, Atheltics, Football, Tennis and Fitness Testing
• Girls – Hockey, Netball, Cricket, Rounders, Running, Tennis and Fitness Testing

Once you have completed the practical test there will be an interview with the Director of Sport. We may also take the opportunity to assess you in your own sporting environment. A portfolio, which should include testimonials or references from sports coaches, is essential to support your application. The Physical Education Department welcomes the opportunity to meet informally with parents and prospective candidates at any time before the formal assessments.

What are the benefits of a sports scholarship at Kent College?

We boast a number of top performance coaches on our staff and you will receive top-class coaching in your chosen sport(s). In addition, we provide support in all areas of athletic development e.g. nutrition, conditioning, injury prevention.

What do I have to do to maintain my scholarship?

We expect you be a leader in sport. Sport scholars are required to play for school teams in our major sports, to represent the school as required and to attend all team practices. All Sport scholars must fulfil the academic requirements of the school. We expect our sports scholars to make progress during their time at Kent College in all aspects of physical education.