Scholarships & Bursaries

Academic, Music and Sports Scholarship are available for pupils entering S1 (Y7) of the Senior School and for pupils entering the Sixth Form.

Further information about each of these can be found in the relevant sub-section. For your convenience, please find the relevant application forms below.

11+ Scholarships

Academic, Music and Sports Scholarships are available for pupils entering S1 (Y7) of the Senior School in September 2025. The maximum total fee remission from one or more scholarships is 25%. Awards for individual scholarships are typically in the range of 5-15% of fees.  The scholarship examinations and assessments are designed to be equally appropriate for pupils in both maintained and independent schools and are open to pupils already at Birkdale and to those currently at school elsewhere.

Entering your child for scholarship assessment presumes a firm intention to accept an award if one is offered. Candidates are welcome to apply for any of the available scholarships for which they are eligible. The application forms for the 11+ Music and Sports Scholarships can be downloaded below or on request from the Registrar. If your child is applying for a Music and/or Sports Scholarship, this should be indicated in section 4 on the Registration Form. All relevant forms should be submitted by Friday 6 December 2024.

The outcome of all the scholarship assessments will be communicated shortly after the February half term holiday, when the formal offer of a place at Birkdale will also be confirmed.

If an award is made, it will be tenable from when a pupil joins the school in September 2025 and will be held until the end of S5 (Y11) provided that in the opinion of the Head, in consultation with the Director of Music and the Director of Sport as appropriate, satisfactory progress is maintained and the conditions of an award are adhered to. Should a pupil leave the school before this, but subsequently return, the award will no longer apply. During their S5 (Y11) year, pupils will be invited to apply for a range of 16+ Scholarships for entry to the Sixth Form.

Academic Scholarships

Academic Scholarships are available for pupils entering S1 (Y7) of the Senior School in September 2025. An Academic Scholarship comprises a level of fee remission, typically in the range of 5-15% of fees.

Consideration for an Academic Scholarship is by invitation following the Common Pre-Tests.

Candidates who reach an appropriately high standard in the Common Pre-Tests (typically the top 12-15 candidates) will be invited to attend the 11+ Academic Scholarship Examination. This will take place on Friday 31 January 2025 and will consist of further assessment in:

English Candidates will sit a written paper.

Mathematics Candidates will participate in a lesson covering more advanced mathematical topics and will then be assessed on their performance in tasks they will be asked to complete.

Music Scholarships

Music Scholarships and Exhibitions are available for pupils entering S1 (Y7) of the Senior School. A Music Scholarship comprises a level of fee remission, typically in the range of 5-15% of fees and free weekly tuition in one instrument in school. The award of an Exhibition entitles the pupil to free weekly tuition in one instrument in school.

Candidates should typically be of good Grade III standard in their chosen instrument or voice. Another indication would be demonstrable commitment to singing in a choir for at least two or three years. All candidates should be able to show general musicianship commensurate with their technical skill. These are not the only indicators of a good candidate so if you are unsure, please contact the Director of Music, Mr Jordan, to discuss whether or not your child may be eligible via enquiries@birkdaleschool.org.uk

The successful candidates will be required to satisfy the general standards of admission to Birkdale School in the Common Pre-Tests, and to enter fully into the musical life of the school.

The 11+ Music Scholarship Application Form and further details 11+ Music Scholarship information can be downloaded here. The assessment will take place on Wednesday 29 January 2025.

Sports Scholarships

A Sports Scholarship comprises a level of fee remission, typically in the range of 5-15% of fees. Candidates who excel in one or more of our main school sports are invited to apply.

Successful candidates should have the potential to play at regional level or above and will have regularly represented their club or school ‘A’ team in their chosen sport. The main sports of the school are currently; Cricket, Football, Hockey, Netball and Rugby Union. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate the ability to make a significant contribution to school sport and a commitment to training and fixtures during the week and on Saturdays.

If you are unsure whether your child might be eligible to apply, please contact Mr Byron, Director of Sport via enquiries@birkdaleschool.org.uk. Successful candidates will be required to enter fully into the sporting life of the school.

Candidates are required to submit an application form detailing their sporting interests and achievements and, if possible, a short video of their sporting performance. Candidates will then be invited to attend a practical assessment day which is planned for w/c Monday 27 January 2025.

The 11+ Sports Scholarship application form can be downloaded here.

Sixth Form Scholarships

Academic, Music and Sports Scholarships are available for students entering Birkdale Sixth Form in September 2025. The maximum total fee remission from one or more scholarships is 25%. Awards for individual scholarships are typically in the range of 5-15% of fees.

The scholarship examinations and assessments are designed to be equally appropriate for students in both maintained and independent schools and are open to students already at Birkdale and to those currently at school elsewhere. Entering for scholarship assessment presumes a firm intention to accept an award if one is offered. Candidates are welcome to apply for any of the available scholarships for which they are eligible.

If an award is made, it will be tenable from when a student joins the Sixth Form in September 2025 and will be held until the end of Upper Sixth (Y13) provided that in the opinion of the Head, in consultation with the Director of Music and the Director of Sport as appropriate, satisfactory progress is maintained and the conditions of an award are adhered to.

Academic Scholarships

Academic Scholarships are available for pupils entering Birkdale Sixth Form in September 2025. An Academic Scholarship comprises a level of fee remission, typically in the range of 5-15% of fees.

All candidates for an Academic Scholarship will sit a General Paper. They will additionally be assessed in two other subjects which they intend to study in the Sixth Form. All candidates will be interviewed by a senior member of staff. For most subjects, assessment will be by written examination. Candidates offering Art or Drama as one of their subjects will undergo practical assessment and an interview with the relevant Head of Department. The award of a scholarship will take into account the candidate’s performance in the two subjects offered and the general paper, and also in their interview.

Specimen papers or details of the assessment for the General Paper and the following subjects are available to view by clicking on the subject below:

Candidates wishing to be assessed in another subject not listed above should contact the Registrar well in advance of the closing date.

Entry to the Sixth Form and the award of a Scholarship will ultimately be conditional on GCSE results. Standard entry requirements are a minimum of five passes (grades 9-5) at GCSE, with at least four of these at grade 6 or higher including any subjects studied at GCSE which are to be studied at A level. However, scholars would usually be expected to achieve five or more 8/9 grades at GCSE, and many do significantly better than this. The Scholarship award will be tenable from when a pupil joins the Sixth Form and will be held until the end of Upper Sixth (Y13) provided that, in the opinion of the Head Master, satisfactory progress is maintained and the conditions of an award are adhered to.

The Sixth Form Academic Scholarship and Bursary Examinations will be held at Birkdale on Saturday 18 January 2025.

If your son or daughter is applying for an Academic Scholarship, this should be indicated in section 4 on the Registration Form. All forms should be submitted by Friday 6 December 2024.

The outcome of the Sixth Form Academic Scholarship and Bursary Examinations will be communicated in writing during w/c 24 February, when the formal offer of a place at Birkdale will also be confirmed.

Music Scholarships

Music Scholarships and Exhibitions are available for students entering the Sixth Form in September 2025. A Music Scholarship comprises a level of fee remission, typically in the range of 5-15% of fees and free weekly tuition in one instrument (including vocal) in school. The award of an Exhibition entitles the student to free weekly tuition in one instrument (including vocal) in school.

Candidates should normally be of Grade VII and above in their first instrument, which may be the piano, organ, any orchestral instrument or voice. All candidates should be able to show general musicianship commensurate with their technical skill. These are by no means the only pointers to a good candidate so if you are unsure, please contact Mr A M Jordan (Director of Music) to discuss whether or not your son or daughter would be considered.

The successful candidates will be required to satisfy the general standards of admission to Sixth Form and to enter fully into the musical life of the school.

If your son or daughter is applying for a Music Scholarship, this should be indicated in section 4 on the Registration Form. All forms should be submitted by Friday 6 December 2024. The assessment will take place on Thursday 30 January 2025.

The outcome of the Sixth Form Music Scholarship will be communicated in writing during w/c 24 February 2025, when the formal offer of a place at Birkdale will also be confirmed.

Aspiring Athlete Programme (Sports Scholarship)

The Aspiring Athlete Programme is available for students entering the Sixth Form in September 2025.   Successful candidates will receive a level of fee remission, typically in the range of 5-15% of fees. The programme also offers support in all areas of a student’s sporting education, whilst also supporting them in achieving their academic potential during their time in Birkdale Sixth Form.  Full details can be found here: Aspiring Athlete Programme.

Candidates are required to submit an application form detailing their sporting interests and achievements and, if possible, a short video of their sporting performance.  Shortlisted candidates will then be interviewed by the Director of Sport and the Head.

Successful candidates for the Aspiring Athlete Programme will be able to demonstrate a high level of proficiency and an established record of achievement in their main sport.  They should currently be at county level standard or equivalent in their chosen discipline.  If unsure whether a student might be considered, parents are advised to contact Mr Byron, Director of Sport.

Your application form should be submitted by Friday 6 December 2024. The interviews will be held during w/c 27 January 2025 and mutually convenient appointments will be confirmed nearer the time.

The outcome of the Aspiring Athlete Programme (Sports Scholarship) application will be communicated in writing during w/c 24 February 2025, when the formal offer of a place at Birkdale will also be confirmed.

Arkwright Scholarships in Design Technology

Birkdale is one of over 600 schools affiliated to the Arkwright Scholarship Trust, which will provide a number of scholarships in conjunction with member schools. The awards will be of £500 over two years: £250 per year to spend on STEM related equipment or activities. Arkwright Scholarships are available to students joining our Sixth Form from Birkdale or elsewhere, completing their GCSEs in 2025, who will be studying Maths (compulsory), Science and Technology subjects and who intend to study for an Engineering degree at university.

The website of the Arkwright Scholarship Trust www.arkwright.org.uk contains more information about the application criteria and process and the benefits for scholars. Candidates are able to apply on-line via that website. Please note that there is an application fee.

Means-tested Bursary funding

A limited amount of means-tested bursary funding is available for allocation to pupils joining the school for S1 (Y7) or Sixth Form who strongly demonstrate that they would benefit from a Birkdale education; but for whom full fee payment would be prohibitive. Further details can be found in the relevant sub-section.

11+ Bursaries

A limited amount of means-tested bursary funding is available for allocation to pupils who strongly demonstrate that they would benefit from a Birkdale education; but for whom full fee payment would be prohibitive. If a bursary is awarded, the value is dependent on a full assessment of a family’s financial circumstances. A bursary may be awarded alongside a scholarship to increase overall fee remission or as a stand-alone award. In either case, bursary funding can cover up to a maximum of 100% of tuition fees in total. This remission would include any scholarships also awarded.

A bursary awarded to a pupil entering the school between S1 (Y7) and S4 (Y10) would be tenable until the end of S5 (Y11) in the first instance; provided that financial circumstances remained unchanged during that time and that the conditions of an award are adhered to. Bursary funding is also available for pupils continuing into the Sixth Form subject to a satisfactory performance in a General paper, which candidates sit in the January of S5 (Y11), and assessment of an up-to-date bursary application.

Please note that unfortunately we are unable to offer bursaries to all candidates for entry to the School who apply, and who would be eligible, for means-tested funding. When shortlisting applications for bursary funding therefore, consideration is primarily given to performance in the 11+ entrance test. However, a candidate’s performance in assessments for academic, music and sports scholarships, if entered, may also be taken into account.

If means-tested bursary funding would be required for acceptance of a place, this should be indicated in section 5 on the Registration Form.

Following registration, parents will be sent details of how to complete a Bursary Application.  Please note that to ensure that financial information is sufficiently up-to-date, these details will not be provided until after 1 November 2024.

The outcome of any Bursary applications for 11+ entry will be communicated in writing shortly after the February half term holiday, when the formal offer of a place at Birkdale will be also made to all those who have met the academic standard for entry.

Sixth Form Bursaries

A limited amount of means-tested bursary funding is available for allocation to pupils who strongly demonstrate that they would benefit from a Birkdale education; but for whom full fee payment would be prohibitive. If a bursary is awarded, the value is dependent on a full assessment of a family’s financial circumstances. A bursary may be awarded alongside a scholarship to increase overall fee remission or as a stand-alone award. In either case, bursary funding can cover up to a maximum of 100% of tuition fees in total. This remission would include any scholarships also awarded.

If a bursary is awarded, it will be tenable from when a pupil joins the Sixth Form in September 2025 until the end of Upper Sixth (Y13) provided that financial circumstances remained unchanged during that time and that the conditions of an award are adhered to.

Applicants for a Sixth Form Bursary are invited to attend the Academic Scholarship and Bursary examinations which will take place on Saturday 18 January 2024. Sixth Form Bursary applicants are required to sit a General Paper and be interviewed by a senior member of staff, but many also apply for an Academic Scholarship and therefore also sit two subject papers (see further information above). Please note that unfortunately we are unable to offer bursaries to all candidates who would be eligible for means-tested funding. When shortlisting applications for Sixth Form Bursary funding therefore, consideration is primarily given to performance in the General Paper and at interview. However, a candidate’s performance in assessments for academic, music and sports scholarships, if entered, may also be taken into account.

If means-tested bursary funding would be required for acceptance of a place, this should be indicated in section 5 on the Registration Form.

Following registration, parents will be sent details of how to complete a Bursary Application.  Please note that to ensure that financial information is sufficiently up-to-date, these details will not be provided until after 1 November 2024.

The outcome of any Bursary applications for Sixth Form entry will be communicated in writing during w/c 24 February 2025, when the formal offer of a place at Birkdale will be also confirmed.