Scholarships at King s A guide to scholarships at 13+ for entry to King s College School in September 2018
Academic Scholarships and Exhibitions at 13+ Academic Awards Up to twenty academic scholarships may be awarded each year. The number will vary according to the quality of the candidates. Candidates must be under 14 years of age on 1 st September of the year in which they sit their examinations. The maximum award for major scholarships is 1500 per annum. Smaller amounts including scholarships and minor scholarships will be fi xed sums of 1000 or 500 per annum. If a pupil is awarded two or more scholarships, the maximum fee remission will be 2000 per annum. Entry and Qualification Candidates must be under 14 years of age on 1 st September 2018 and already hold a conditional offer of a place for entry to the fourth form in 2018. Applications should be received in the admissions offi ce by Monday 5 th March 2018. Interviews All candidates will be interviewed and also given a brief French speaking test on the afternoons of Tuesday 1 st May and Thursday 3 rd May 2018. Subject awards Boys who by their performance in the examinations and, where relevant by interview, have shown the highest achievement and promise will be given a subject award. These awards will be honorary and may be won only by those who have also secured a place through the scholarship route. Subject awards will be given in English, Mathematics, Science, French, Classics (offering Greek is advantageous but not essential), Geography and History. 3
Academic Scholarships Candidates will take the following papers: English (1 hour 30 minutes) Section A: (45 minutes) Comprehension. There are a number of short-answer questions in response to a poem. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to select and interpret evidence, and express their ideas with accuracy and concision. Section B: (45 minutes) Candidates answer one question, choosing EITHER Studied Literature OR Composition. Studied Literature. Through close reference to a literary text of their choice (either one they have studied or read in their own time), candidates should write a structured and supported essay on ONE theme or topic. The question will offer at least 10 possible themes/topics on which to answer. Composition. Candidates should demonstrate their creative ability to control language and express complex ideas according to form, purpose and audience. There will be a choice of two composition tasks. French (2 hours 10 minutes) The following papers will be set: Paper 1 (1 hour) Section A: Listening comprehension, with questions and answers in French. Section B: Reading comprehension, with questions and answers in French. Paper 2 (1 hour) Section A: Guided composition, founded on a letter demanding a reply. The length required will be approximately 150 words. Section B: Composition. Two essay questions will be set, one creative and one discursive. Candidates will be required to choose one of the two and write approximately 150 words in French. Speaking test (10 minutes) In addition to the two written papers, candidates must take a speaking test. They will be given a photograph to prepare for 5 minutes before the test starts. At the beginning of the test, they will describe the photo briefl y in French and this will lead to a discussion of the content of the photo, followed by a more general conversation with the examiner. Please note that this format is new this year. Geography (1 hour) Eight essay questions will be set in two sections: Human Geography and Physical Geography. Candidates will be asked to answer one question from each section. Questions will draw from both the common entrance syllabus and wider geographical topics. 4
History (I hour) The paper will have two sections, one source based and one essay based, each taking half an hour. The source question will include four sources on a topic of international history. There will be three questions on the sources looking at comprehension, interpretation, and comparative skills. Pupils will not need to have studied the period to be able to answer the questions. The essay section will feature six questions of which candidates will be asked to answer one. Questions will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of British and European history since 1066 and will be phrased to allow candidates to reveal knowledge of particular topics studied in depth. Latin (1½ hours) There are two Latin passages for translation into English and one Latin comprehension question. The grammatical and syntactical syllabus is broadly equivalent to that of the common academic scholarship. An additional King s scholarship vocabulary list will be supplied to the candidate s school with the specimen paper. Candidates may, if they wish, answer a Greek section instead of the second Latin translation. The Greek syllabus comprises the content of John Taylor, Greek to GCSE Part 1, Chapters 1-3. The assessment involves both Greek sentences for translation into English and English sentences for translation into Greek. Mathematics (1½ hours) The questions will be based on the extended 13+ common entrance syllabus (level 3), together with structured questions that may introduce unfamiliar techniques. Questions will require insight and ingenuity, in addition to knowledge of standard techniques on the common entrance syllabus. There will be no mental test component. Calculators may be used and candidates should bring their own geometric instruments. Science (1½ hours) The Science paper is divided into three sections: Section A: Biology Section B: Chemistry Section C: Physics Candidates are required to answer one question, worth 25 marks, from each section. There will be a choice of two questions in each section. The paper will require no knowledge of topics outside the common entrance syllabus. Any further information that may be needed will be provided on the question paper itself, as will mark allocations. Questions are typically broken up into multiple parts. They will usually start by being quite closed in style, commonly involving short answer factual recall or simple calculation based problems. The question will then steadily progress to being more open-ended and diffi cult; where, for example, students might be asked to apply their knowledge and understanding to explain novel material. Calculators may be used. 5
Art Scholarship at 13+ The Award One Art scholarship or exhibition worth up to 1500 per annum may be awarded annually to a boy of high artistic ability or potential. Entry and Tenure Candidates must be under 14 years of age on 1 st September of the year in which they sit their examinations and hold a conditional place for entry to King s in September 2018. It is a condition of the award that the scholar achieves the King s pass mark in the common entrance examinations, King s scholarship examination or the transfer examination. An Art scholar would typically be expected to pursue Art at GCSE and will be expected to be involved in the artistic life of the school. The award will be continued until the boy leaves the school, subject to satisfactory progress and conduct. Selection Selection will be by portfolio inspection and by invitation to a half-day of practical work in an informal and friendly atmosphere in the King s studios. Candidates will be offered a number of objects or groups of objects from which to work in their chosen medium. The portfolio would normally be expected to include work that has been completed by the candidate in their own time and at school, as well as an accompanying sketchbook. A brief talk with an external adjudicator regarding the work in their portfolio will also take place. Applications should be submitted by Friday 2 nd February 2018 for the drawing day on Friday 23 rd February 2018. Application forms and information sheets are available on the 13+ admissions pages of the website. 6
Drama Scholarships at 13+ The Award One or more Drama scholarships worth up to 1500 per annum may be awarded annually. The school s intention is to offer awards to drama enthusiasts of outstanding ability and potential as performers, technicians or practitioners. Scholars will be expected to contribute in depth to the theatrical life of the school, as required by the director of Drama, who will be pleased to see prospective applicants to discuss Drama at King s and give advice on preparation. Entry and Tenure Candidates must be under 14 years of age on 1 st September of the year in which they sit their examinations and hold a conditional place for entry to King s in September 2018. It is a condition of the award that the scholar achieves the King s pass mark in the common entrance examinations, the King s scholarship examination or the transfer examination. Award winners are expected to take Drama as a fourth form creative option, and at GCSE level. Drama scholars will be expected to play a full part in the drama life of the school, and opportunities will be created for them in the co-curricular sphere (although a Drama scholar should not necessarily expect leading roles in every production). For this reason it is not practicable to hold this award in conjunction with either a Sport or Music award. The award is subject to a formal review with the director of Drama twice during a boy s time at school. Selection The selection process will depend on the interests and enthusiasms of the candidate, but will include a day s practical workshop, including an interview with the director of Drama. Whether the candidate s interests lie in acting, technical arts, design, directing or scriptwriting, the overriding criterion must be a passion for drama and theatre. We are looking for enthusiastic collaborators and leaders, willing to become fully involved and to support the ethos of Drama within the school. Applications should be submitted by Friday 2 nd February 2018. Candidates will be invited to a selection day on Thursday 22 nd March 2018. Application forms and information sheets are available on the 13+ admissions pages of the website. 7
Music Scholarship at 13+ The Award Three or more Music scholarships worth up to 1500 of the school tuition fee, in addition to free instrumental tuition on two instruments, may be awarded annually. The school s intention is to offer awards to instrumentalists of outstanding ability and potential. As a guideline, a boy of at least grade 6 standard would be considered a promising candidate. The school, with its large and well-equipped Music department offers abundant opportunities for music-making, both instrumental and vocal, and the award winners will be expected to contribute in depth to the musical life of the school. The director of Music will be pleased to make an appointment to see prospective scholars, to give advice on preparation and to discuss Music at King s. Entry and Tenure Candidates must be under 14 years of age on 1 st September of the year in which they sit their examinations and hold a conditional place for entry to King s in September 2018. Auditions will be held, and awards made, annually in late January/early February. It is a condition of the award that the scholar achieves the King s pass mark in the common entrance examinations, King s scholarship examination or the transfer examination. Award winners are typically expected to take Music at GCSE and it is hoped they might consider it as an option in the sixth form. All Music scholars and exhibitioners are expected to play a full part in the musical life of the school. For this reason it is not practicable for a candidate to hold both a Music and Sport or Drama award. The award is subject to a formal review with the director of Music twice during a boy s time at the school. The Audition During the audition each candidate will be required to perform two contrasting pieces on his main instrument and one piece on a second and third instrument if applicable. Singing may be offered in addition, or as an instrumental study in its own right. Scales may be asked as a warm-up and to help settle the candidates. There will also be some sight-reading, a quick study, aural tests and a short viva voce. An accompanist can be provided if the music is sent at least one week in advance of the audition. Applications should be submitted by Friday 5 th January 2018 and the auditions will be held on Wednesday 24 th January 2018. Application forms are available on the school website, and further details on the audition can be obtained from the Music department administrator, 020 8255 5386 or c.revill@kcs.org.uk. 8
Sport Scholarship at 13+ The Award One or more Sport scholarships worth up to 1500 per annum may be awarded annually to boys of exceptional sporting talent, who also demonstrate outstanding sporting ability or potential, determination and enthusiasm. Sport scholars should have exceptional talent in one or more sports, normally at least two. Preference will be given to those involved in the school s major games rugby, hockey, football, cricket and tennis, although a high level of ability in another of the school s sports may be an advantage. Entry and Tenure Candidates must be under 14 years of age on 1 st September of the year in which they sit their examinations and hold a conditional place for entry to King s in September 2018. It is a condition of the award that the scholar achieves the King s pass mark in the common entrance examinations, King s scholarship examination or the transfer examination. All recipients of a Sport scholarship are expected to contribute fully to the sporting life of the school in all three terms of the academic year. For this reason it is not practicable for a candidate to hold both a Sport award and a Music or Drama award. Selection Applications should be submitted by Friday 2 nd February 2018 and candidates will be invited to take part in a sports assessment and interview day on Friday 16 th March 2018 when they will be required to: Be interviewed by the director of Sport Participate in the sports offered Perform appropriate fi tness tests The director of Sport would be pleased to meet candidates informally at any stage to answer queries about the scholarships. Application forms and information sheets are available on the 13+ admissions pages of the website. Although a boy may be awarded both an Academic and an Art / Drama / Music / Sport Scholarship, the combined value of the awards will not exceed 2,000 p.a. 9
King s College School Southside Wimbledon Common London SW19 4TT Tel 020 8255 5352 Fax 020 8255 5357 admissions@kcs.org.uk www.kcs.org.uk