Scholarships & Bursaries

Candidates applying for entry in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 will be automatically considered for an academic scholarship when taking the Entrance Examination.

Academic Scholarship Interviews

Prospective Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 pupils who are being considered for an Academic Scholarship will be invited to an interview with the Headmaster, following the entrance examinations.
The parents/guardians of these candidates will be contacted by telephone from Thursday 13 November 2025. Only those being considered for these awards will be contacted. The interviews will take place on Saturday 15 November 2025 and during week commencing Monday 17 November 2025.

During their time at Princethorpe academic scholars are invited to attend guest lectures and will be offered a variety of opportunities for stretch and challenge, such as undertaking a Project Qualification.

Deadline for applications: Friday 26 September 2025
Art Scholarship Day: Wednesday 5 November 2025

All candidates wishing to be considered must complete an Art Scholarship application form and return it by Friday 26 September 2025. The application should be accompanied by two original pieces from their portfolio, see below. In the event of a high number of applicants, this work will be used to select those to be invited to the assessment. 

Princethorpe Art Scholarships will be awarded to those pupils who, in the opinion of the Head of Art, Paul Hubball, demonstrate an ability to express ideas clearly in visual terms, to tackle and solve problems in an imaginative, original and expressive way and to be studious and single-minded in their approach to their study of Art. Art Scholars are expected to continue with Art on the curriculum at least until Year 11, and usually in the Sixth Form. 

Wednesday 5 November 2025 will be set aside for scholarship interviews and examinations. Candidates should report to the Theatre Entrance at 9.30am. All materials and lunch will be provided. Candidates should be collected from the Theatre Entrance at 2.00pm. 

The Assessment

The assessment will involve studies in various media of still life objects. Candidates should practice drawing and painting manmade and organic forms. All materials will be provided by the College. 

Interview and presentation of a portfolio

Candidates will also be expected to present a portfolio of some recent work during the day. Their portfolio should be brought along to the College on the day of the Art Scholarship Examination. Candidates should be able to answer general questions on Art and specific questions relative to their own work; they should be able to express ideas clearly and fluently. The portfolio will be returned to the candidate when they leave.

The portfolio should consist of 12 pieces of work only and no larger than A2.

6 pieces must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to draw the following:

• 1 x A4 tonal drawing of a sliced red pepper (slightly larger than life size)
• 1 x A4 colour drawing of a sliced tomato (larger than life size to fit page)
• 1 x A3 tonal drawing of a pair of laced shoes (life size - be creative with the composition of the drawing)
• 1 x A3 colour drawing of a reflective object (size depends on object)
• 1 x A3 tonal self portrait drawing (life size)
• 1 x A3 (or A2) still life painting copied from an artist of your choice

Plus 6 pieces of your choice (no larger than A2):
These pieces should aim to demonstrate the candidate’s ability to tackle problems, to experiment with various media and techniques, to display visual awareness, to gather, investigate, analyse and record visual information. Photographs of any three-dimensional work can also be included.

Deadline for applications: Friday 26 September 2025
Auditions: Week commencing Monday 3 November 2025

Auditions for Choral Scholarships will be held during the week commencing Monday 3 November 2025 with Gil Cowlishaw, the Director of Music.

Parents of candidates will be sent an online link by the Registrars to book their audition slot. 

All candidates wishing to be considered must complete a Music Scholarship application form and return it by Friday 26 September 2025.

It is a stipulation that all Choral Scholars play an active part in the musical life of the school, eg perform in both the College Choir and the Vocalize Ensemble, and are available for any tours, stage productions and concerts, putting rehearsals as a priority over other co-curricular activities.

Requirements for Choral Scholarship candidates

• A standard of Grade 2 or equivalent
• Passion for singing within a public forum

The Audition
All candidates must attend a practical audition.
At the audition they will be required to:

• Perform two contrasting pieces of their choice
• Sit an aural test
• Participate in a viva voce, where they will be asked about their music-making, hobbies, etc.

Piano accompaniments should be brought to the audition. An accompanist will be provided unless a candidate prefers to be accompanied by an external accompanist they elect to bring with them. Candidates are advised to perform music with which they are comfortable, rather than singing music which is technically beyond them. We are looking for potential, commitment and reliability.

References from two referees must be supplied by parents, one of which should be the school music teacher or conductor of a choir in which the candidate regularly performs. A candidate will not be considered without these references which must be either attached with the registration form, or emailed to admissions@princethorpe.co.uk by the application deadline.

Deadline for applications: Friday 26 September 2025
Audition Workshop: Week commencing Monday 13 October 2025

An Audition Workshop for Dance Scholarships will be held week commencing Monday 13 October 2025 with Rachel Fox, Dance Leader.

The Registrars will advise all candidates of the time of their auditions. All candidates wishing to be considered must complete a Dance Scholarship application form and return it by Friday 26 September 2025.

It is a stipulation that all Dance Scholars play an active part in the performance life of the school, stage productions, support Theatre opportunities and are available for any tours, putting rehearsals as a priority over other co-curricular activities.

Requirements for Dance Scholarship candidates:

• Performed in stage productions inside and outside of school
• Passion for performing within a public forum

The Audition
All candidates must attend a practical audition.
The audition will comprise of:

• A technical class with short performance extract
• An individual performance piece of minimum duration 1 minute 30 seconds (no maximum)
• A choreography session to look at the candidates creativity and leadership skills
• An informal chat about the candidates previous dance experience and why they enjoy dance

We are looking for potential, commitment and reliability.

Scholarship References

References from two referees must be supplied by parents (including email and telephone contact details), one of which should be the director of a dance school for which the candidate regularly performs.

These should be with the Registrar by the application deadline.

Deadline for applications: Friday 26 September 2025
Audition Workshop: Week commencing Monday 13 October 2025

Auditions for Drama Scholarships will be held week commencing Monday 13 October 2025 with Aileen Cefaliello and Vicky Roberts, the joint Heads of Drama.

The Registrars will advise all candidates of the time of their auditions.

All candidates wishing to be considered must complete a Drama Scholarship application form and return it by Friday 26 September 2025.

It is a stipulation that all Drama Scholars play an active part in the performance life of the school, eg take part in stage productions, support Theatre opportunities and are available for any tours, putting rehearsals as a priority over other co-curricular activities.

Requirements for Drama Scholarship candidates

• Performed in stage productions inside and outside of school
• Passion for performing within a public forum

The Audition
All candidates must attend a practical audition.
At the audition they will be required to:

• Perform a 45 - 90 second audition piece which can be self-scripted or a published piece as a monologue
• Lead a group through the creative process
• Take an active part in a teacher led workshop
• Participate in a viva voce, where they will be asked about their stage performances, hobbies, etc.

We are looking for potential, commitment and reliability.

References from two referees must be supplied, one of which should be the school drama teacher or director of a stage school in which the candidate regularly performs. A candidate will not be considered without these references which must be either attached with the registration form, or emailed to admissions@princethorpe.co.uk by the application deadline.

Deadline for applications: Friday 26 September 2025
Auditions: Week commencing Monday 3 November 2025

Auditions for Music Scholarships will be held during the week commencing Monday 3 November 2025 with Gil Cowlishaw, the Director of Music.

The Registrars will advise all candidates of the time of their auditions.

All candidates wishing to be considered must complete a Music Scholarship application form and return it by Friday 26 September 2025. The application must be supported with a short video of the candidate performing their first instrument. 

It is a stipulation that all Music Scholars sing in the College Choir, play in the orchestra and are available for any tours, stage productions and concerts, putting rehearsals as a priority over other co-curricular activities. Music Scholars are expected to continue with Music on the curriculum at least until Year 11, and usually in the Sixth Form.

Requirements for Music Scholarship candidates
This is a guide only, as candidates’ background will vary.

Entry to Year 7  - A standard of Grade 4 ABRSM or equivalent, on woodwind, brass, percussion, piano or voice. Grade 3 on any stringed instrument.

Entry to Year 8  - A standard of Grade 5 ABRSM or equivalent, on woodwind, brass, percussion or voice. Grade 4 on any stringed instrument or piano.

Entry to Year 9 or 10  - A standard of Grade 6 ABRSM or equivalent, on woodwind, brass, percussion or voice. Grade 5 on any stringed instrument or piano.

The Audition
All candidates must attend a practical examination. At the audition they will be required to:

• Perform 2 pieces on the instrument of their first choice.
• Perform 1 piece on the instrument of their second choice, if they have one.
• Sing a song of their own choice.
• Play the panel’s selection of scales and arpeggios from the ABRSM grade that best reflects their current standard, and undertake an aural test of the same standard.
• Participate in a viva voce, where they will be asked about their music-making, hobbies, etc.

Piano accompaniments should be brought to the audition. An accompanist will be provided unless a candidate prefers to be accompanied by an external accompanist they elect to bring with them. Candidates are advised to perform music with which they are comfortable, rather than playing music which is technically beyond them. We are looking for potential, commitment and reliability.

References from two referees must be supplied by parents, one of which should be the school music teacher or conductor of a choir or orchestra in which the candidate regularly performs. A candidate will not be considered without these references which must be either attached with the registration form, or emailed to admissions@princethorpe.co.uk by the application deadline.

Deadline for applications: Friday 26 September 2025
Audition Workshop: Week commencing Monday 13 October 2025

Auditions for Musical Theatre Scholarships will be held week commencing Monday 13 October 2025 with Gil Cowlishaw, Aileen Cefaliello and Vicky Roberts, the Director of Music and the joint Heads of Drama.

The Registrars will advise all candidates of the time of their auditions.

All candidates wishing to be considered must complete a Musical Theatre Scholarship application form and return it by Friday 26 September 2025.

It is a stipulation that all Musical Theatre Scholars play an active part in the performance life of the school, eg take part in the College Choir or Vocalize Ensemble, stage productions, support Theatre opportunities and are available for any tours, putting rehearsals as a priority over other co-curricular activities.

Requirements for Musical Theatre Scholarship candidates

• Performed in stage productions inside and outside of school
• Passion for performing within a public forum

The Audition
All candidates must attend a practical audition.
At the audition they will be required to do two of the below:

• Perform a 45 - 90 sec monologue from a Musical Theatre piece
• Sing two pieces of Musical Theatre
• Perform a pre-learnt movement/dance

We are looking for potential, commitment and reliability.

References from two referees must be supplied, one of which should be the school drama teacher or director of a stage school in which the candidate regularly performs.

Deadline for applications: Friday 26 September 2025
Sport Scholarships Assessment Morning: Week commencing Monday 13 October 2025

The live assessment session for the Sports Scholarships will be held week commencing Monday 13 October 2025 with Lee Cassell, Carly Walton and Joe Jackson, Director of Sport and Heads of Girls’ and Boys’ Games.

All candidates wishing to be considered must complete a Sports Scholarship application form and return it by Friday 26 September 2025.

These will then be reviewed by the panel and top candidates will be invited for the live assessment session.

The Registrars will advise all candidates if they are required to attend.

It is a stipulation that all Sports Scholars play an active part in the sporting programme of the College and model the sport behaviour required.

Requirements for Sport Scholarship candidates

• Member of a junior pathway or academy
• Key player at club level for your chosen sport/s

Live Sport Assessment Session

Invited candidates will be required to:

• Take part in a baseline data gathering task
• Participate in a games for understanding session
• Take part in a conditioned competitive session for their sport
• In the case of sports not catered for on-site at school, candidates will take part in a discussion about their sport and be asked to submit a video of them performing. 

We are looking for potential, commitment and reliability.

References from two referees must be supplied, one of which should be their lead coach from their performance level organisation or club coach. A candidate will not be considered without these references which must be either attached with the registration form, or emailed to admissions@princethorpe.co.uk by the application deadline.

The Foundation wishes to extend the benefit of the school's Catholic ethos, academic and social excellence to families who may not be able to pay full fees through the provision of financial assistance by way of bursaries and the Thomas More scholarship.

2026 entry

Bursaries

Every year there is a high level of interest in Bursaries and the number of awards are limited. Bursaries are available for up to 100% of tuition fees, plus additional educational expenses. Bursaries are available for any external candidates, primarily for entry into Princethorpe College, regardless of current school or religion.

In addition to support with fees, children granted bursaries may be eligible for a reduction in the cost of music lessons at the College with our peripatetic music teachers.

Whilst the main financial criteria for the award are household income and net assets each application is considered on its own merits. Costs associated with dependant sick or disabled children will be taken into account and an allowance is made where there are other children already in the Foundation.

Non educational school trips over £500 will not be accessible to bursary pupils without prior discussion with the Foundation Director of Finance. 

Applications are made via an online system, please contact feessupport@princethorpe.co.uk to be sent a link to the system.

Parents are asked to note the following:

• Applications are means-tested and are also reviewed by external consultants
• Parents should allow plenty of time to complete the application process
• Parents are required to complete the application form and submit all supporting documentation before the deadline date of Friday 26 September 2025. 
• Late or incomplete applications will not normally be considered unless there are exceptional circumstances
• External consultant meetings will usually take place during October 2025.
• All bursary applications must be accompanied by a complete registration form and payment

The Thomas More Scholarship

Advice of outcome

The result of applications will be advised in the letter regarding the examination results which will be sent to parents on Thursday 27 November 2025. Those applications which do not meet the necessary criteria will be notified before the Entrance Examinations. 

How to apply

Applications are made via an online system, please contact feessupport@princethorpe.co.uk to be sent a link to the system.

Applications will be considered at any time but the availability of funds is likely to be significantly restricted after the cut off date of Friday 26 September 2025.