Leweston School
11+, 12+ and 13+ Scholarship and Exhibition Guidelines
September 2014 Entry
Entry into Years 7, 8 and 9
On average fifty pupils enter the School at 11+, 12+ and 13+ every year. Entry into the School is via one
of the following routes:
1.
2.
3.
Scholarship Examinations taken at the School in the February preceding September entry see below.
Common Entrance Examinations taken by pupils at their Preparatory Schools preceding
September entry.
Leweston Entrance Examinations for pupils entering from Schools which do not offer
Common Entrance. Arrangements for these examinations are made with the Registrar.
What is the procedure for entering Leweston School?
We encourage all prospective pupils to visit the School to have an individual tour with a pupil and to
meet the Head, Adrian Aylward, and other members of staff. You are also most welcome at our Open
Days and if your daughter wishes to experience the School ‘in action’, taster days are also available.
If you wish to pursue an application to Leweston, there is a Registration Form to complete and a fee of
£100 which enables the School to process your daughter’s application.
Your daughter then either sits a Scholarship paper, the Common Entrance or the School examination.
The Head may then make the offer of a place and/or Scholarship. This offer must be accepted in writing
and accompanied by a £500 deposit which will be returned to you when your daughter leaves the
School. Regrettably, this deposit is non-refundable, should you later decide not to take up the place.
What Scholarships and Exhibitions do we offer?
Leweston offers 11+, 12+ and 13+ Scholarships and Exhibitions in Academic subjects and specialist
scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and Sports. A limited number of All-Rounder awards are also
available. It may be possible to apply for a scholarship in more than one area of specialism. Please
discuss this with the Director of Studies prior to your application.
The value of an exhibition normally ranges between 5% and 10%. A Scholarship award will range from
10% (minor) – 30% (Major).
For exceptional 11+ scholars 3 scholarships of up to 50% are available across all disciplines.
11+, 12+ and 13+ awards are valid up to the end of GCSE and can be reapplied for on entry into the
Sixth Form. All awards are kept under review during the pupil’s time at the School and whilst it is
extremely unusual for an award to be removed, a significant decline in commitment or performance
would bring into question its continuance.
Scholarship details
All awards will take into account the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Interview with the Head
Confidential report from the Head of your daughter’s present School
Where applicable, your daughter’s performance in Common Entrance (papers negotiable)
Performance in tests of Verbal, Numerical, Perceptual Reasoning*
Core Skills paper set by the School which will consist of:
A 45 minute English test which will focus on the skills of reading and understanding. The
material used in the test will be of the prose genre. Developed answers using evidence from
the text are expected.
A 45 minute Mathematics test
For 11+ questions from the National Curriculum Key Stage 3 Level 3-5
For 12+ questions from the National Curriculum Key Stage 3 Level 4-6
For 13+ questions from the National Curriculum Key Stage 3 Level 5-7
1. Academic Scholarships
In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates will be asked to complete two specialist
subject papers from the following list:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Classics
English Literature
Humanities (History or Geography)
Mathematics
Modern Languages – open to non-native speakers only
Religious Studies
Science
Please note - candidates choosing Classics and Modern Languages will be asked to indicate the
number of years they have been studying the language so that the level of difficulty of the paper fairly
tests their achievement.
Each paper will be one hour long unless otherwise stated.
Classics – candidates will be required to read a passage of Latin or Greek prose and then answer
questions on it, in English, which test their understanding of the passage. Candidates will also be
required to translate a section of the text from Latin or Greek into English.
English Literature - Candidates will be required to respond in essay form to a poem. Abilities in
analysis, imaginative engagement and written expression will be assessed. Bullet points are provided
in order to help them to structure their answer.
Humanities – candidates are free to choose either History or Geography on this paper.
History – this exam is not designed primarily to test candidates’ knowledge but rather their ability to
construct convincing arguments based on an understanding of the nature of history and of historical
inquiry.
Candidates will be given a choice of two types of task. They will be asked either to answer a set of
questions which will require analysis of an historical source or to write an essay in response to a
general question about the meaning, nature or utility of history. Such an essay question might be
‘Those who do not know their own history are doomed to repeat it’. Discuss.
Geography - candidates should demonstrate the following:
An ability to use an extended geographical vocabulary and maps and plans in a variety of scales
A knowledge of places to include the major continents, oceans, rivers, mountain ranges,
countries and capital cities.
The physical and human characteristics and features of at least two countries in significant
states of economic development
A knowledge and understanding of patterns, processes and issues to include:
The Tectonic Process – including its effect on landscapes and people
Ecosystems – the characteristics and distribution of one major vegetation type e.g. tropical
rainforest
Development – the ways of identifying differences in development between countries
Tourism – the attractions of different tourist areas and the conflicts that may arise
The skills knowledge and understanding to undertake and write up a fieldwork investigation
outside the classroom
Mathematics – candidates will be asked to complete a range of problem solving questions which
will be appropriate to candidates’ level of entry.
Modern Languages – candidates will be asked to answer a variety of questions in their chosen
language. Credit will be given for accurate and imaginative use of the language at candidates’ disposal.
Religious Studies - a range of questions will be set. Those requiring short answers will be on
general knowledge while those requiring longer answers, in short essay form, will cover:
The Bible – Old Testament Stories from Genesis
The Life of Jesus
Christian Festivals
World Religions
Religious Practices – e.g. prayer, pilgrimage
A wide choice of questions will be available so that candidates can show the extent of their own
knowledge, understanding and interest.
Science – Candidates will be set a written examination covering all three sciences based on
National Curriculum Key Stage work of an appropriate level.
2. Art
In addition to the standard papers candidates are to supply a portfolio of work which could include a
range of the following:
a) observational drawing, painting and sketch books;
b) work in the following media – collage, print, textiles
c) three dimensional work which could be in clay, plaster, papier mâché, card or other
constructional material;
d) a sketch book of work produced outside of School in any media.
Candidates will be tested on drawing in various materials. The test will last one and a half hours
from a project set by the Head of Art and Design.
Candidates will also have an interview with the Head of Art and Design. This will include questions
on recent exhibitions that they have visited and their knowledge of Art and Design history.
The award of a scholarship commits the candidate to attending Scholars’ Art projects and
workshops run by the Department.
3. Drama
Candidates will be assessed by the Head of Drama. They must have a proven track record of
achievement and interest in Drama and Theatre at school or outside school. Drama award holders
will always take Drama GCSE. Drama Scholars would also be expected to participate regularly in the
‘Scholars Acting Company’ which meets once a week with the aim of producing a piece of theatre
each term.
Candidates will be asked to:
a) recite a poem of their choice from memory (no longer than two minutes);
b) describe a visit to the theatre, paying special attention to what they liked or disliked about the
show and why;
c) perform a short monologue from a play (between 1 and 2 minutes). Discuss the context of the
monologue within the play as a whole.
In addition to the above, 13+ entrants will also be asked to perform an additional monologue from
a contrasting play (between 1 and 2 minutes).
Candidates will also participate in a short group improvisation – all ages.
4. Music
Candidates must offer two instrumental specialities. In addition to the standard papers, candidates
for entry at 11+ should be of Grade 4 Associated Board standard on their first instrument (a higher
standard will be expected for candidates at 12+ and 13+) and Grade 3 on their second instrument.
Candidates will also be asked to provide a confidential report from their instrumental teachers.
During the Scholarship Day candidates will be asked to participate in:
a) an audition (main elements: performance of two contrasting pieces of candidates’ choice on the
first instrument, one piece on the second, to any standard; sight reading, aural tests).
b) Quick Study. Candidates will be required to practise a previously unseen piece of music on their
first instrument for 20 minutes (a short lesson based upon the piece will follow).
c) complete a short aural test in which candidates will be asked to sing back a short melody, tap the
pulse to a piece of music and state whether it is in 2,3 or 4 time.
5. Sports
Candidates are expected to be of a high standard in at least one of the major sports. County
standard or above is advantageous. Major sports are: hockey, netball, cross-country, tennis, athletics
and swimming. Ability in other sports will be taken into consideration.
Candidates will be assessed by members of the PE Department in their chosen sport(s) and will be
expected to show excellence and flexibility in performance and, where appropriate, will compete
against or with existing students. Candidates should bring all their own kit and equipment.
In addition all candidates will undergo an interview with members of the PE Department and
Director of Sport. They are expected to be conversant with rules, tactics and training schedules for
their sports relative to their age and standard and to be familiar with current topics of debate in the
world of sport.
Candidates should submit a written record of all their sporting achievements and of positions of
sporting responsibility held throughout their time at School. Candidates should bring all their own
kit and equipment.
In addition to this candidates must sit the standard scholarship papers.
6. All rounder awards
Each year Leweston offers one or more all rounder scholarships to the maximum value of 10% of
fees, to pupils who, though not quite strong enough to win another award outright, show
outstanding all-round ability. Candidates for such an award will need to show evidence of good allround skills across the curriculum, particular gifts in some aspect of extra-curricular life, and be likely
to make a significant contribution to the overall life of the school.
Any potential applicants should be discussed with the Director of Studies at the earliest opportunity.
The awards will be based on an interview and an examination in subjects or skills agreed between
the Director of Studies and the candidate.
If your application meets the initial criteria, then your daughter will be invited to attend a Scholarship
Day held at the School. This year Academic candidates will be seen on Monday 27th and
Tuesday 28th January 2014. Candidates may be required to attend on either or both days.
If your daughter is successful in gaining a Scholarship or Exhibition the offer must normally be accepted
within five working days. Scholarships are tenable for the duration of a pupil’s stay at Leweston, subject
to the conditions laid out in the Scholarship Acceptance Form.
What about Bursaries?
Bursaries are means tested and awarded in the case of financial hardship. Bursaries may be applied for
at the same time as a scholarship by completing a separate bursary application form. Bursary forms can
be obtained from the Bursar’s Secretary, Mrs Debbie Quick on 01963 210765.
What do I do now?
If you decide to go ahead with a Scholarship application for your daughter, forms can be obtained from
Our Registrar, Chiara Damant, Leweston School who can be contacted on 01963 211010.
Applications for 11+, 12+ and 13+ Scholarships must be submitted by Monday 20th January
2014.
All candidates must be registered before they make a Scholarship application.
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have, or to arrange a visit to the School to
talk about your daughter’s application. Please contact Geoff Smith, Director of Studies on 01963
211026.