Scholarships

Sunderland High School offers a range of Scholarships and Bursaries. 

N.B.  If an applicant for a Scholarship or Bursary has a specific learning difficulty or any medical condition or disability, parents/guardians are asked to notify the school in writing prior to the Assessment/Scholarship Examination Day so that the School can make reasonable adjustments for the applicant on the day.  The following Scholarships are available at Year 7:

Academic Scholarships 

All candidates for entry into Year 7 are automatically considered for an Academic Scholarship.    Academic Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the Head on the basis of performance in the Year 7 Assessment Tests, the interview and the reference from the candidate’s current school.  Academic Scholarships are reviewed annually.   Up to eight Academic Scholarships may be available, each worth 10% of the Senior School tuition fee.  If a pupil shows exceptional promise, a Major Scholarship, worth 25% of the Senior School tuition fee, may be awarded.  

Music Scholarships/Bursaries    

Music Scholarships OR Music Bursaries may be available.  Up to 2 music scholarships may be awarded, each worth 10% of the Senior School tuition fee OR up to 2 Music Bursaries may be awarded, whereby successful candidates will receive free tuition on one or two musical instruments (or voice). 

The Scholarships and Bursaries will be awarded on the basis of performance in auditions which take place in the same week as the Year 7 assessment interviews.   An applicant for a Music Scholarship/Bursary will normally be able to offer two instruments, one at least to Grade 3 or 4 standard.  However, candidates who have not reached this standard should not be discouraged from applying, as evidence of potential is as important as examination success.  At interview, candidates will be asked to perform on both instruments (or voice) and undertake sight reading and aural tests.  The Director of Music is pleased to meet with prospective candidates and their parents at any time.     Pupils who hold Music Scholarships or Bursaries are expected to play a full part in the musical life of the School, and awards will be reviewed annually. 

The families of candidates who wish to be considered for a Music Scholarship are asked to contact the Registrar for the relevant forms.

Sport Scholarships 

Sunderland High School is delighted to announce that Sport Scholarships will be awarded for the first time in 2011.                                                                                                                        

General criteria for the award of a Sport Scholarship 

An assessment day will be held in January/February 2011.  The criteria used will be: performance in a variety of health and skill related tests; standard of sporting performance; and commitment to the role of sporting ambassador for the School. The assessment day will also include an interview with the Director of Sport, and a tour of Sunderland High School’s sport facilities.  We are looking for applicants who will make a full contribution to our existing P.E. and Games programme, both curricular and extracurricular.   There will be two levels of award: the F.Bolam Marley Sport Scholarship, worth 50% of the Senior School fee; and two Sunderland High School Sport Scholarships, worth 10% of the Senior School fee.     

F. Bolam Marley Sport Scholarship   

• This will be awarded to a boy who, in addition to satisfying the criteria outlined above, has exhibited exceptional talent in sport(s) and is deemed by the Sunderland High School P.E.  Department to have potential for further development to excel at either an amateur or professional level.
• The Scholarship is to be awarded to a boy, on the instructions of the benefactor. 
• The award of the F.Bolam Marley Sport Scholarship will be determined by the financial criteria which are applied to the award of a 50% Church Schools Foundation Assisted Place, and families of applicants will be required to complete a statement of income form.

 All Sport Scholarships will be reviewed annually.   

The families of candidates who wish to be considered for a Sport Scholarship are asked to contact the Registrar for the relevant forms.  

Sixth Form Scholarships    

All internal candidates who wish to be considered for a Sixth Form Scholarship at Sunderland High School take the Sixth Form Scholarship Examination.     The Sixth Form Scholarship Examination comprises three parts:  

1. A general paper in Critical Thinking (of 30 minutes’ duration).
2. A letter of application. 
3. An interview with the Head of Sixth Form. 

1. A general paper in Critical Thinking (of 30 minutes’ duration).
2. A letter of application. 
3. An interview with the Head of Sixth Form.
4. A reference from the candidate’s current school.

• Sixth Form Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the information gathered from all parts of the Sixth Form Scholarship Examination process, at the discretion of the Head
• Sixth Form Scholarships are worth between 10% and 25% of the school fee.
• At least four Internal Sixth Form Scholarships are normally available each year.
• At least two External Sixth Form Scholarships are normally available each year.

Church Schools Foundation Assisted Places (CAPS)
The Church Schools Foundation funds a small number of places for children entering Year 7 and occasionally for students entering VI Form. The assistance is based on academic performance and financial means. Applications for Assisted Places should be made to the Head.

Sibling discounts
A reduction of 5% is made in the case of the second, and 10% in the case of the third or subsequent members of the same family, all of whom are in attendance as fee paying pupils at one and the same time.

Notice of Withdrawal
Notice of intention to withdraw a child from the school must be given in writing to the Head in accordance with the United Church Schools Trust's Conditions of Acceptance, giving one full term’s notice. One term’s notice is also required to withdraw from any additional paid activities. Failing this notice, a full term’s fees will be charged.