SCHOLARSHIPS
At both 11+ (Year 7) and 16+ (Sixth Form) there are up to five Academic, five Music and five Art Scholarships available each year, worth up to one quarter of the current tuition fees. There are also up to two Sixth Form Sports Scholarships each worth a quarter of the current tuition fees available to girls in Year 11.
Additionally, Music Scholarships cover the cost of tuition for one instrument provided that tuition is taken at Tormead. Exceptional candidates may be offered tuition at Tormead on two instruments. All Scholarships are reviewed annually and are tenable for the whole of a girl’s time at Tormead subject to our satisfaction with her overall effort and attitude towards her studies. Award-holders are expected to remain at Tormead until they have completed their A Level examinations..
Year 7 (11+)
Candidates are assessed for Academic Scholarships on the basis of their performance in the entrance examination. All candidates are therefore automatically considered and there are no separate scholarship papers.
In order to be considered for an Art Scholarship, candidates must submit a collection of their recent Artwork and /or a selection of their sketch books on or before the day of the entrance examination. Short-listed candidates will be invited back to talk about their artwork with members of the department, and to sit a one-hour drawing test.
In order to be considered for an Music Scholarship, candidates should be approximately Grade 5 standard on their principal instrument and show evidence of attainment on a second instrument. Auditions will normally be held in the week following the entrance examination. Candidates will be expected to perform two contrasting pieces of music on their principal instrument and one piece on their second. There will be aural and sight reading tests, together with a short interview. Evidence of composition, whether played or written down, may be an advantage. Holders of Music Scholarships are expected to contribute wholeheartedly to the extra-curricular music groups in the school.
Sixth Form (16+)
Candidates are assessed for Academic Scholarships on the basis of their performance in the Scholarship Examination and interview held in the November preceeding entry to the Sixth Form. The Scholarship examinations consist of two papers - which can be any 2 of the 4 subjects they intend to study at AS Level. In addition there is a general paper. Candidates wanting to study Modern Languages will have a short Oral Examination.
For an Art Scholarship, candidates must complete an application form and submit a collection of their recent Artwork and /or a selection of their sketch books.
In order to be considered for an Music Scholarship, candidates should be approximately Grade 6 standard on their principal instrument and show evidence of attainment on a second instrument. Auditions will normally be held during November preceeding entry to the Sixth Form. Candidates will be expected to perform two contrasting pieces of music on their principal instrument and one piece on their second. There will be aural and sight reading tests, together with a short interview. Evidence of composition, whether played or written down, may be an advantage. Holders of Music Scholarships are expected to contribute wholeheartedly to the extra-curricular music groups in the school.
To qualify for the Sports Scholarships candidates must have already shown a proven ability in sport at Tormead. Girls must have represented Tormead at the highest level in a minimum of two major sports; such as hockey, netball, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, athletics etc. Application is via letter to the Headmistress indictating the qualities and suitability of the candidate. More information can be requested from Mrs Cherry Scott, the Registrar.
BURSARIES
Tormead offers financial support in the form of bursaries. These bursaries are means-tested and fall into two categories:
Entrance Bursaries
These are for new applicants to the school at 11+ and 16+, where a place has been offered but parents/guardians are unable to fund the tuition fees.
The Governors of Tormead are committed to broadening access to the school by offering to eligible parents/guardians means-tested financial support with the payment of school fees.
Entrance Bursaries may be awarded in the form of a discount of up to 100% on tuition fees payable and assistance with extras including school uniform and residential trips, depending on the financial, compassionate or other pertinent circumstances of applicants.
There are a limited number of entrance bursaries available each year and unfortunately we are unable to consider applications made after the published deadline.
Hardship Bursaries
This fund is for existing pupils where a change in parents'/guardians’ circumstances has resulted in difficulty in meeting tuition fees and which could therefore result in the child being withdrawn part way through a stage of her education.
Awards made from this Hardship Fund are for temporary financial assistance up to 50% of tuition fees and for up to one academic year in normal circumstances.
A parent / guardian may apply for a bursary to the Headmistress / Bursar, explaining his / her situation and using the standard form of application. Such awards are subject to the availability of funding and cannot be guaranteed.