The Abbey is a very busy school in terms of music-making with a large variety of ensembles and activities that we hope will suit a wide range of musical interests and ability levels. Our Music Scholars are among our most enthusiastic and committed musicians who are happy to make music a principal focus of their school life. We rely on our Music Scholars to be role models for other musicians in the School and thus they are key members of the School’s musical ensembles.

The Abbey offer the following:

• Free tuition at school on one instrument
• Participation in the annual programme of Music Scholars’ events with the opportunity to prepare performances in collaboration with our Principal Accompanist
• Workshops and masterclasses
• Concert trips to hear major orchestras 
• Regular dialogue between Music staff and instrumental teachers concerning progress, to include discussion of future opportunities for Music Scholars

What do we expect from our Music Scholars?

• A high level of musical proficiency and enthusiasm 
• A commitment to working with other musicians in chamber ensembles
• Willingness to be role models for other musicians
• Membership and leadership of appropriate ensembles
• Full attendance at relevant music rehearsals and at concerts
• Willingness to assist the Music Department at Open Events as appropriate

Selection and assessment:

• Applicants are expected to have achieved a minimum standard of at least Grade 4, but musicality, potential and enthusiasm are considered to be equally important
• Performance of a solo of their choice on their principal instrument
• Performance of a solo of their choice on any other instruments they play, where time in the audition allows
• Applicants will be required to undertake some supporting tests (e.g. sight-reading)
• Discussion of musical activities at interview with the Music staff

Major Music Award (MMA)

This is an additional award available to Sixth Form applicants only.

This is a very prestigious award given to our most committed musicians. Applicants would be performing at least at Grade 8 equivalent level and expecting to take music as an A-level or IB option. Our MMA holders give extensively to the musical enrichment of The Abbey and this is reflected in the enhanced financial reward. Rigorous auditions are held. We award only one (or occasionally two) of these scholarships annually.

The Abbey offer the following:

• Access to an enrichment programme of workshops and masterclasses led by artists/Artist in Residence 
• Visits to galleries, museums or places of interest
• A kit of quality specialist materials
• Open studio sessions
• Access to School Art clubs
• Art mentoring
• Exhibitions of work in the School’s gallery
• Access to a wide range of media, techniques and processes in the Art Department’s purpose-built studios
• A £600 annual discount on fees

What do we expect from our Art Scholars?

• Regular attendance at Art clubs/open studio sessions
• Attendance at Scholars’ workshops and masterclasses
• Entry into art-related competitions
• Role model within lessons
• Willingness to assist the Art Department at Open Events as appropriate
• Commitment, enthusiasm and engagement

Selection and assessment:

• Applicants will be shortlisted based upon their Digital portfolio submission (see details below)
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview 
• Shortlisted applicants will be expected to be able to discuss an artwork by another artist, preferably one seen firsthand, during the interview

Portfolio Advice

A completed Digital portfolio should include:

• Up to 15 slides evidencing a combination of school and independent work completed by the applicant. This should be clearly labelled and annotated.   
• Evidence of drawing from observation
• Any 3D work should be photographed

Please see this guide on how to complete a ‘Digital portfolio’ for additional information

The Abbey offer the following:

• A year-long Drama enrichment programme, overseen by our Theatre Artist in Residence and our Head of Drama
• A Drama Scholars’ trip every year
• A workshop with an external theatre company or practitioner
• A Drama Scholars’ production (Lower School, Upper School or a Whole School production)
• Mentoring and support from the Drama Department
• A £600 annual discount on fees

What do we expect from our Drama Scholars?

• Regular attendance at Scholars’ club and production rehearsals 
• The ability to make confident, informed acting choices, driven by an understanding of their character
• The commitment to work as directors/co-directors, designers or technical crew
• The ability to discuss drama thoughtfully and perceptively
• The ability to work well with others, in an open and supportive manner
• The ability to work imaginatively and independently
• An open mind, enthusiasm and a sense of humour
• A willingness to try new things
• An interest in live theatre, as both audience and performer
• Willingness to assist the Drama Department at events, including Open Events, and act as role models within the school community
• Scholars are encouraged to participate in performance opportunities, as appropriate, including the Year 7 Pantomime, the Lower School Play, the Upper School Play, and the School Musical

Selection and assessment:

• Acting experience, at school and/or with other organisations, as well as any Speech and Drama qualifications are welcome but not essential
• It is not necessary to take, or intend to take, GCSE Drama, A-level Drama and Theatre, or IB Theatre to apply

For entry into Year 7
Applicants should prepare and learn a two-minute monologue to be taken from the list provided by the department. Applicants will also have a short interview and participate in a group workshop.

For entry into the Sixth Form
Applicants should prepare and learn a two-minute monologue from a play of their choice. The monologue must come from a published play and should not be a poem, an extract from a book, a standalone monologue from the internet, or one that the applicants have written themselves. Applicants will also have a short interview and participate in a group workshop. Applicants should read the whole play that their monologue is taken from, as they will be asked about the play and the character during their interview. Applicants should also be prepared to have their monologue redirected.

Scholarships are awarded in the Senior School to recognise excellence. The prestige in recognition of a girl’s ability is considerable and Scholars are expected to demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm throughout their school life.

Scholarships are not available at the Junior School.

Academic Scholarships

The Abbey’s Academic Scholarships reward those students who demonstrate a distinct combination of excellence, flair and aspiration.

The opportunity to sit for an Academic Scholarship is available at different stages during a student’s school career. For entrants to Year 7, we offer an Academic Scholarship paper in the Spring Term of Year 6; for those wishing to apply for a Sixth Form Academic Scholarship, the examination takes place in the Autumn Term of Year 11.

These papers are unique to The Abbey: we do not want prospective Academic Scholars to prepare as they might for other examinations. Instead, we seek to assess a quality of thinking which shows creativity, reasoning and originality.

The format of the Scholarship Paper will change each year but the intention will remain the same: to give students who love learning the opportunity to enjoy playing with ideas. The only form of preparation required is to encourage curiosity and liveliness of mind: which are the best form of preparation for an Abbey education, and the qualities we seek to nurture in all our students.
Academic Scholarships provide a 10% discount per year on fees.

Year 7: Applications for Academic Scholarships open 1 June 2023 and close 12 December 2023.
Sixth Form: Applications for Academic Scholarships open 1 June 2023 and close 1 November 2023.

Specialist Scholarships

For those who excel in any of Art, Drama, Music or Sport, we offer Specialist Scholarships.

The opportunity to be assessed for a Specialist Scholarship is available at different stages during a student’s school career. For entrants to Year 7, assessments take place in the Spring Term of Year 6; for those wishing to apply for a Sixth Form Specialist Scholarship, assessments take place in the Autumn Term of Year 11.

These awards remain in place for three years when awarded to Year 7 entrants and two years for Sixth Form students. There is an opportunity for existing students to sit for a two year award, in the summer term of Year 9.
The application and interview process for each discipline is different, allowing applicants to showcase relevant skills in ways which best suit the individual subjects. Candidates are welcome to apply across more than one subject but may only accept an award for one of their chosen disciplines.

Much of the vibrancy of our community comes from the outstanding contribution our students make towards these disciplines, and the school provides exceptional opportunities for talented students to develop their skills and grow their enthusiasm alongside others who share their passion.

Applications for Specialist Scholarships open 1 June 2023 and close 1 November 2023.

Year 7 applicants will be informed by mid-December 2023 whether they have been shortlisted for interviews and auditions, which will take place in January 2024.
Sixth Form applicants will be informed by mid-November 2023 whether they have been shortlisted for interviews and auditions, which will take place in November/December 2023.

Use the form below to apply. Please note that an Academic Scholarship and any number of Specialist Scholarships can be applied for although a separate form must be submitted for each.