Scholarships and Bursaries
Academic and Music Scholarships for 2012 are offered to candidates who are 11+, 13+ or who are planning to enter the Sixth Form at 16+.
The examinations at 11+, 13+ and 16+ are designed to be equally appropriate for pupils in both maintained and independent schools. The majority of academic Scholarships are available only to external applicants.
Each award will be tenable from the beginning of the academic year following the scholarship examination. It will be held until the pupil leaves the school, provided that, in the opinion of the Head Master, satisfactory progress is maintained.
11+ and 13+ scholarships are offered in the expectation that a candidate will remain at Birkdale until the conclusion of his Sixth Form studies. Should a pupil leave the school before this but subsequently return, the award will no longer apply.
Summary of 2012 Dates
| Examination Date | Closing Date for Entries | |
|---|---|---|
| 11+ Entrance Test | Wednesday 18 January | Wednesday 11 January |
| Sixth Form Scholarship | Saturday 21 January |
Friday 13 January |
11+ Scholarship 13+ Scholarship |
Monday 6 February Monday 6 February |
By invitation Friday 27 January |
| Music Scholarship - Sixth Form | Tuesday 28 February |
Friday 3 February |
Music Scholarship 11+ Music Scholarship 13+ |
Wednesday 7 March Wednesday 7 March |
Friday 3 February Friday 3 February |
| Arkwright Scholarship | Wednesday 1 February |
Friday 20 January |
11+ Scholarships
- Candidates should be under 12 on 1 September 2012.
- Scholarships are available up to the value of 25% of the tuition fees. At least three awards (Foundation Scholarships) are open only to those currently in State junior schools. They may be supplemented in cases of need up to a maximum of 100%. Further details are available on request.
- All candidates will be required to sit the Entrance Examination at Birkdale on Wednesday 18 January. This Examination will consist of papers in:
- English
- Mathematics
- Reasoning Test
- Those candidates who reach an appropriately high standard in the 11+ Entrance Test will be invited to attempt the 11+ Scholarship Examination on Monday 6 February. The Scholarship will consist of examinations in:
- English
- Mathematics
- Entering a pupil for the Scholarship examination presumes a firm intention on the part of parents to accept an award if one is offered. Successful candidates will be expected to remain at Birkdale until the conclusion of their A level studies. Should a pupil leave the school before this but subsequently return, the award will no longer apply.
13+ Scholarships
- Candidates should be under 14 on 1 September 2012.
- Scholarships are available up to the value of 25% of the tuition fees. Further details on request.
Sixth Form Scholarships
- An Open Scholarship and four Sixth Form Foundation Scholarships are available, each up to the value of 25% of the tuition fees. The Foundation Scholarships will be offered only to external candidates who are seeking entrance to the Sixth Form in September 2012. The value of the Scholarships may be increased in cases of need up to 100% of fees. Further details of the Sixth Form Music Scholarship, the Arkwright Design and Technology Scholarship and the Ogden Trust Sixth Form Science Scholarship are printed below.
- Internal candidates are encouraged to apply, but candidates already in receipt of 11+ awards should understand that the total fee reduction through Scholarship cannot exceed 25%.
- Candidates will sit a General Paper and two other papers of their own choice in subjects which they intend to study in the Sixth Form. In addition all candidates will be interviewed. Candidates wishing to offer Art will also be interviewed by the Head of Department in place of a written examination.
- The offer of a Sixth Form Scholarship will unltimately be dependent on GCSE results. Normal entry requirement sfor admission to the Sixth form are a minimum of 5 passes (A* to C), with at least 4 at grade B or higher. We would expect grade B or higher in those subjects being studied to AS/A level. However, scholars would usually be expected to achieve 5 or more A/A* grades at GCSE, and many do significantly better than this.
- The Scholarship Examinations will be held at Birkdale on Saturday 21 January 2012.
- Entrance forms should be completed and returned by Friday 13 January 2012.
- Entering a pupil for the Scholarship examinations presumes a firm intention on the part of parents to accept an award if one is offered.
Sixth Form, 11+ and 13+ Music Scholarships
- Three Scholarships are available: one to pupils entering the Sixth Form, one to pupils entering the Third Form and one to pupils entering the First Form of the Senior School in September 2012.
- One annual scholarship is available in each age group, up to the value of 25% of the tuition fees, together with free tuition in one instrument, given at school by Birkdale staff. Candidates already in receipt of an 11+,13+ or a Sixth Form academic Scholarship are encouraged to apply, but they should understand that the total fee reduction through Scholarships cannot exceed 25%.
- The Sixth Form examination will be held at Birkdale on Tuesday 28 February, the 13+ and 11+ examination will be held on Wednesday 7 March 2012.
- 11+ candidates should be of good Grade III standard, 13+ GradeIV and Grade VII or above for the Sixth Form in their first instrument, which may be the piano, organ or any orchestral instrument. All candidates should be able to show general musicianship commensurate with their technical skill.
- The successful candidates will be required to satisfy the general standards of admission to Birkdale School.
- The successful candidates will be required to enter fully into the musical life of the school. Further details may be obtained from the Director of Music.
- Entering a pupil for the Scholarship examination presumes a firm intention on the part of parents to accept an award if one is offered.
Entrance forms are available from the Registrar and should be completed and returned by Friday 3 February 2012.
Sixth Form Arkwright Scholarships in Design Technology
Birkdale is one of over 600 schools affiliated to the Arkwright Scholarhsip Trust, which will provide a number of scholarships in 2012 in conjunction with member schools. The awards will be of £950 over two years: the student receives £250 per year and the Design and Technology Department £225 per year per scholar. Arkwright Scholarships are available to students, both internal and external, completing their GCSEs in 2012 and who will be studying Maths and Design and Technology in the Sixth Form, preferably to A2 level, and intend to read Engineering, Technology or another Design-related subject at university.
For futher information please contact the Registrar
Financial Assistance
On entry at 11 and 16, some financial assistance is available to augment the value of a Scholarship, even up to 100% of the fee in cases of proven need. Fee reductions of this nature are called Bursaries.
A limited amount of additional Bursary funding is available for allocation to Sixth Form candidates who are not candidates for Scholarships.
Bursary awards will in all cases be subject to the confidential provision of financial information.
Candidates for Sixth Form places intending to study A levels in Maths and Physics should also refer to the section on The Ogden Trust Sixth Form Science Scholarship.
The Ogden Trust Sixth Form Science Scholarship
Birkdale is one of only 60 schools to receive an annual Ogden Trust Sixth Form Science Scholarship.
The Ogden Trust aims to sponsor students of outstanding scientific ability to attend leading independent schools in the Sixth Form. Ogden Trust Sixth Form Science Scholarships are awarded by the participating schools themselves. They are worth up to 100% of fees, and are funded by the Ogden Trust and the participating schools on a 50/50 basis. They include discretionary allowances for travel, uniform and school trips.
All candidates for the Scholarship must:
- be expected to achieve a minimum of 6 GCSEs at grade A including Maths or Physics or Double or Triple Award Science
- have been previously educated entirely in the state sector
- be applying to study Maths and Physics at A level
- be intending to read for a Physics degree at university
- be of British nationality
- have a joint gross parental income threshold of £50,000.
