Junior school scholarship

The Junior School Scholarship assessment (Year 7-8) for Autumn 2024 entry will take place on 2-3 February 2024.

If you are interested in applying for a Junior School Scholarship for entry in 2024, please register here

If you wish to discuss a possible application for a scholarship Sabine Richards, Admissions Director, will be very happy to speak with you. Please contact admissions@gordonstoun.org.uk who will make an appointment.

At the Junior School, we take pride in the holistic approach to the education of our pupils.

Therefore all of our pupils are stretched by exposure to a combination of academic, outdoor, cultural, creative and sporting challenges, all offered as part of a fully integrated programme. We welcome applications for Junior School Scholarships from candidates who will show strong potential to contribute positively to this distinctive educational ethos.

We operate a policy of open access, committed to educating young people from a range of aptitudes and backgrounds. We encourage applications from any young person who is capable of benefiting from a Gordonstoun education and who is committed to enhancing the life of the community. Pupils from any educational background may apply and, in particular, allowance is made for those boys and girls whose present school makes no provision to prepare candidates for the Scholarship examination.  

Age criteria

The Junior School takes boys and girls starting at age ​4 1⁄2 into Year 1 to those who are 12 years into Year 8.  There is some flexibility up and down a year group depending on what is right for each child.

Scholarships are available for children entering Year 7 and 8.

Scholarships continue through to the Senior School. The only exception to this is the Neil Wylie Music scholarship which is not carried over. 

Internal candidates are welcome to for the sit for the scholarship exams although it is recommended that parents have a discussion with the School before re-presenting a child who has previously been unsuccessful in a scholarship assessment.

Selection process

All candidates will be asked to sit papers in Mathematics, English and verbal and non verbal reasoning. In addition all the candidates will have an interview with the Head of the Junior School and are gently assessed over their time with us.

Categories of Award

There are three categories of Scholarship Award at the Junior School:

Academic

The Academic Scholarship Award is designed for children who are currently doing very well at School and who can demonstrate a high level of ability and potential in both numeric and language skills. 

All-Round

The All-Round Scholarship is awarded to children who possess clear all-round strengths.  They should be able to demonstrate academic competence in addition to real potential in other spheres, particularly sporting and creative. 

Neil Wylie Memorial Scholarship for Music

In offering the Neil Wylie Memorial Scholarship Award for Music, the School is looking for children who show both potential as instrumentalists and a genuine enthusiasm for music. Candidates are required to qualify for admission to the School through the normal assessment procedure. This award does not carry on into the Senior School.

Value of Scholarships

We know that young people and their families are proud to be awarded a scholarship to Gordonstoun Junior School. Scholars play an active and leading role in school life and are expected to attend our well established and popular enrichment and extension programme which encourages dialogue, problem solving and wider thinking skills. In line with our charitable status a Gordonstoun scholarship does not come with a remission in fees, however, scholars are prioritised in the allocation of means tested bursaries.Bursaries are rarely awarded before Year 7.

The Awards are subject to review each year in the light of progress in all aspects of School life.

Bursaries

Parents or guardians who need to apply for a means-tested bursary should request the appropriate form from the Fees Administrator, Alison More, by emailing fees@gordonstoun.org.uk or by telephoning 01343 837914. 

Application for Places

Applicants for places only will also be assessed in Mathematics, English and verbal and non verbal reasoning. These assessments are very gentle and designed to be accessible for the full range of ages and abilities. At this stage we are very much in the process of boosting confidence whilst at the same time gaining additional information about each child’s interests and abilities.

For more information, please email admissions@gordonstoun.org.uk or call us on +44 (0)1343 837829