Entrance & Scholarships
Scholarships from 2025-26
The Scholarship system at Wellingborough School recognises and rewards excellence in a number of fields. This section explains what Scholarships are available at Wellingborough School and how they are awarded.
For the 2025-26 academic year onwards, current pupils do not need to apply for a Scholarship; their achievements will be assessed by staff and awards made at the appropriate time.
Prospective pupils have the opportunity to demonstrate their talent and be awarded a Scholarship from the very start of their time at the Senior School.
The Scholarship programme is separated into two age categories:
- 11+ – awarded to pupils entering Year 7 (For entry to Years 8-11, pupils will be assessed in-year along with other current pupils as they rise through the School).)
- 16+ – awarded to students entering Year 12.
Scholarship applications for academic year 2025 / 26 are now closed.
All Scholarships will be reviewed annually as pupils progress through the School.
SCHOLARSHIP TYPES
11+
11+ Academic
Pupils will be evaluated via the CAT4 assessment undertaken either as part of their Entrance Exam, or as part of tracking in Year 6 in the Prep School; no application is required.
The parents of pupils who, in the opinion of the Deputy Head (Academic) and Headmaster, have demonstrated the very highest levels of attainment will be offered a Scholarship, usually at the start of the Trinity (Summer) term, on behalf of their children.
The Scholarship lasts for one year and includes £100 to be spent on something appropriate by the pupil. Those pupils, along with all others, will then be considered for Academic Scholarships higher up the School in readiness for the following academic year.
11+ Art
Art Scholarships are awarded on the basis of decisions made by the Head of Art, in conjunction with the Director of Learning & Teaching and approved by the Headmaster, typically before the end of the Lent (Spring) term.
Pupils in Year 6 in the Prep School do not need to apply; their eligibility will be judged by staff based upon their raw talent or potential witnessed by our staff.
Pupils hoping to join the School in Year 7 should apply for the Scholarship by the end of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term, with assessments taking place in the Lent (Spring) term and based on a portfolio of work that will have been submitted.
The parents of successful pupils will be offered a Scholarship, usually at the start of the Trinity (summer) term, on behalf of their children; the Scholarship lasts for one year and includes £100 to be spent on something appropriate by the pupil. Those pupils, along with all others, will then be considered for Art Scholarships higher up the School in readiness for the following academic year.
11+ Co-Curricular
Co-curricular Scholarships are typically awarded in Drama, Music and Sport.
The decisions will be made by the Co-Curricular Drama Lead, Director of Music or Director of Sport, along with the Director of the Co-Curriculum and approved by the Headmaster, typically before the end of the Lent (Spring) term.
Pupils in Year 6 in the Prep School do not need to apply; their eligibility will be judged by staff based upon their raw talent or potential witnessed in our own co-curricular programme.
Pupils hoping to join the School in Year 7 should apply for the relevant Scholarships by the end of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term, with assessments taking place in the Lent term and based on the same criteria of raw talent or potential.
The parents of successful pupils will be offered a Scholarship, usually at the start of the Trinity (Summer) term on behalf of their children; the Scholarship lasts for one year and constitutes access to a programme only available to Scholars.
Those pupils, along with all others, will then be considered for Co-Curricular Scholarships higher up the School in readiness for the following academic year.
16+
16+ Academic
Offers of 16+ Academic Scholarships will be made on the basis of GCSE results, with decisions being made in September 2025. Students who are new to the School who have taken other qualifications will still be eligible, with the School determining how to compare those qualifications with GCSE scores.
As well as a Scholarship for attainment across a wide range of GCSEs, the Deputy Head (Academic) and Headmaster will look at results in specific groupings of subjects, so that students who excel in a particular area might benefit from an award.
The parents of students who, in the opinion of the Deputy Head (Academic) and Headmaster, have demonstrated the very highest levels of attainment will be offered a Scholarship on behalf of their children; the Scholarship lasts for one year and includes £200 to be spent on something appropriate by the student.
Those students, along with all others, will then be considered for Academic Scholarships in Year 13 in readiness for the following academic year.
16+ Art
Art Scholarships are awarded on the basis of decisions made by the Head of Art, in conjunction with the Director of Learning & Teaching and approved by the Headmaster, typically at the start of September in Year 12, giving the School the opportunity to take GCSE results into account and to confirm that the candidate is taking Art or Photography at A level.
Students from the School’s own Year 11 with have their eligibility judged by staff based upon their work and input during Year 11.
Students hoping to join the School in Year 12 should apply for the Scholarship by the end of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term, with assessments taking place in the Lent (Spring) term and based on a portfolio of work that they will have submitted.
The parents of successful students will be offered a Scholarship on behalf of their children; the Scholarship lasts for one year and includes £200 to be spent on something appropriate by the student.
Those students, along with all others, will then be considered for Art Scholarships in Year 13 in readiness for the following academic year.
16+ Co-Curricular
Co-Curricular Scholarships are typically awarded in Drama, Music and Sport.
The decisions will be made by the Co-Curricular Drama Lead, Director of Music or Director of Sport, along with the Director of the Co-Curriculum and approved by the Headmaster, typically before the end of the Lent (Spring) term.
Pupils in Year 11 in the Senior School do not need to apply; their eligibility will be judged by staff based upon their raw talent or potential witnessed in our own co-curricular programme.
Students hoping to join the School in Year 12 should apply for the relevant Scholarships by the end of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term, with assessments taking place in the Lent term and based on the same criteria of raw talent or potential.
The parents of successful students will be offered a Scholarship, usually at the start of the Trinity (Summer) term on behalf of their children; the Scholarship lasts for one year and constitutes access to a programme only available to Scholars.
Those students, along with all others, will then be considered for Co-Curricular Scholarships in Year 13 in readiness for the following academic year.