There are a number of Major and Minor Awards of up to 50% of the tuition fee and consideration will be given to boarding bursaries up to a similar value, awarded at the Headmaster’s discretion. These Scholarships are for boys and girls who are of sufficient calibre to benefit from the Sixth Form at Taunton School. They should be potential university candidates or have other outstanding qualities. The criteria and procedures for each Award are set out below. It will be possible for candidates to enter for more than one kind of Award.
The Headteacher of the candidate’s present School should be advised of the application. When the application has been received, the candidate’s present Headteacher will be approached for a confidential report. For internal candidates, the Housemaster/Housemistress will be advised and will be asked for a confidential report.
The Scholarships are open to applicants from within or outside the School, either as day or boarding pupils, and are awarded on merit and potential. The successful candidates will have good prospects at GCSE and show themselves to be aware of contemporary issues and able to express their views well. They should be able to describe their interests with enthusiasm and some authority.
These will be held on Saturday 8 November 2008, and will be by examination in two subjects of the candidate’s choice. External candidates will be interviewed on Saturday 8 November: selected internal candidates will be invited to an interview the following week. All candidates will be required to write a description of themselves and their ambitions and their probable choice of A level subjects, in their own handwriting, on an A4 sheet. In accordance with the rules of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC), the offers will be despatched to arrive on Friday 28 November 2008 and acceptances will be required by Friday 5 December. The Scholarships are awarded on academic merit and potential.
The examination will be in three parts:
Part one is the submission of work, which should not only show a candidate’s present ability, but should also indicate potential development. The work should be as varied as possible revealing a knowledge of artistic techniques and the systematic use of a variety of media. There should be evidence of original thought and the ability to develop a theme or idea in a sequential way. As a guide, approximately two thirds of the work submitted should be of a graphic nature, indicating the ability to draw. The remainder could take the form of paintings, sculpture or craftwork. The number of individual pieces of work submitted should not be less than twenty, or more than thirty.
Part two takes the form of a practical test in which the candidate is required to draw from observation. The subject will be a still life group and the candidate will be allowed complete freedom in their interpretation/analysis of the group.
The third and final part of the examination takes the form of an informal interview during which the candidate will have the opportunity of discussing their work.
Portfolios should reach Taunton School by Saturday 8 November 2008. Selected candidates will then be invited for an interview and to sit an observational drawing test on Saturday 15 November 2008.
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Candidates will be required to perform (Saturday 15 November) on their first and second instrument, if applicable. There will also be sight-reading and aural tests. There is no absolute requirement in terms of Associated Board exams, but music scholars are all expected to be able to perform to a high standard. The Director of Music, Mr Mark Cracknell, is pleased to meet possible musical scholars at any time to discuss their prospects, answer questions and show them round the Music School.
SPORTS AWARDS
The Gerrard Awards are made to candidates of outstanding ability or potential in the field of Sports. They presuppose a high degree of motivation and commitment on the part of the candidate. At the interview, which will take place on Saturday 15 November 2008, the candidate will be asked to demonstrate keenness, knowledge and experience. He or she should bring any appropriate records of success.
DRAMA
Auditions and interviews for Drama Scholarships will be held on the morning of Saturday 15 November 2008 in the Drama Studio. Applicants should prepare a monologue of approximately two minutes in length and produce an essay, on any subject, of no more than two sides of an A4 sheet. There will also be an interview of approximately ten minutes with the Head of Theatre Studies, Miss Smart.
ALL ROUNDER
Candidates for the Macpherson All Rounder Awards should show academic competence as well as high achievement in one or more of the following: Art, Drama, Music or Sport.
TAUNTON DEANE SCHOLARSHIPS
Taunton School has Scholarships available for high-achieving pupils starting their A level course in September 2009.
The Scholarships, worth up to 50% of the fees, are open to all candidates who reside in the Taunton area and who have not previously attended an Independent School. The Award will be based upon an examination on two subjects of the candidate’s choice – please see subject list attached – an interview with the Headmaster, Dr John Newton, and a reference from the candidate’s present Headteacher or Tutor. Candidates will be expected to show a keen academic interest and be willing to contribute to other aspects of School life, such as Drama, Art, Music or Sport.
ALLHALLOWS SCHOLARSHIP
The Allhallows Sports Scholarship will be awarded to a boy or girl entering the Sixth Form at Taunton School to assist in the furtherance of their sporting career. Candidates must be either a former pupil of Allhallows College, the son/daughter of a former student at Allhallows or a candidate living in East Devon, West Dorset or South Somerset. Only one award is made each year.
It is the School Governors’ Policy that scholarships, bursaries and family discounts do not aggregate. Only the largest will apply at any one time.
Any Scholar who does not meet our expectations may have the Award decreased or terminated.
An entry form is attached and should be returned to the Admissions Secretary, Taunton School, not later than 13 October 2008. For any further information, please contact the Admissions Secretary, Taunton School, Taunton TA2 6AD. Tel: 01823 349223 Fax: 01823 349201 E-mail: admissions@tauntonschool.co.uk