13+ Scholarships

The Creative Arts Centre is a modern purpose-designed building with facilities for painting, drawing, printmaking (silk screen, woodcut and etching), sculpture, clay work fashion/textiles and digital photography/time-based art, media and dedicated fashion and textiles.  The new gallery encourages external artists to exhibit as well as regular in-school exhibitions.  The courses are taught by specialist art teachers and the department believes in promoting inclusive, independent creative development and well-being combined with a professional level of skill and critical understanding.

We have a strong tradition of drawing and visits to art galleries abroad (eg. New York, Los Angeles and St Petersburg) and more locally (e.g. Tate Modern and numerous London galleries).  There is a belief in active engagement with both contemporary art and art history crossing cultures and embracing diversity.

Pupils are taken through a creative foundation exposing them to a wide range of techniques.  They develop personal ideas experiencing painting, drawing, printmaking fashion/textiles and sculpture.  Sketchbooks are a key element of the course.  Pupils develop and record their ideas and their books become increasingly individual and personal as the course progresses.  Sixth Form Art has maintained a high profile with pupils achieving top grades and entering Art College to study fine art, architecture, fashion and textiles, design, art history, advertising, film, photography and more recently game design. 

Art Scholars are expected to make full use of the facilities whilst being involved in the wider life of Charterhouse and its opportunities for enrichment and take Art at GCSE and/or A Level/IBDP.

Candidates are selected following the submission of a digital portfolio of their work and an interview:

• The presentation of a portfolio of the candidate’s work, both objective and imaginative, which may include drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, video and design. Three-dimensional work (such as ceramics, sculpture and installation) may also be submitted. Sketch books containing brief drawings and notes made out of school – possibly in the holidays – should also be included. A broad range of work is desirable.
• An interview where the candidate will be encouraged to discuss their particular interests, methods and materials and to show some knowledge of artists and architects, past and present. We will offer a remote interview if we are not able to interview in person.

Design Engineering (DE) is taught in the John Derry Technical Centre, a modern purpose-built building housing a range of manufacturing and design facilities. Pupils benefit from having access to some extremely powerful CAD/CAM facilities such as large-bed laser, plasma and 3D printers.  Pupils will also be taught topics such as robotics, electronics, user centred design and circular economies/sustainability, to name a few.  We run the OCR Design and Technology GCSE and then OCR Design Engineering at A-level.  In addition, we support the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship programme and partake in the Vex Robotics, Greenpower, CANSAT and TDI competitions.  Our aim is to prepare pupils for today’s and tomorrow’s world.   DE Scholars are expected to make full use of the Department’s facilities and enrichment opportunities and take DE at GCSE and or A Level or IBDP.

Candidates are selected following the submission of a digital portfolio of their work and an interview:

An interview where the candidates will be encouraged to discuss their particular interests, methods, techniques, problem solving and to show some knowledge of Designers and Engineers, both past and present.

For the candidate’s portfolio we would like to see:

• Examples of DE topics and projects which have been covered in school and/or extracurricular STEM clubs.
• Examples of problem solving in and outside of the classroom.

If available, it would also be useful to see candidate’s skills in:

• Freehand sketching
• Computer Aided Design (such as TinkerCad or Fusion360 etc.)
• Coding (such as scratch, Microbit or Arduino etc.)
• Any making in or outside of school (such as lego kits, building cardboard models etc.)

Our purpose-built studio currently in the building phase (due for completion Spring 2025) has extensive improvements being made to the existing theatre space, and we offer unparalleled facilities to our pupils along with the opportunity to work with top industry professionals.

With an abundance of quality Musical Theatre, Drama and Dance experiences for all our pupils to participate in and enjoy throughout the school year, we will also ensure that all our Scholars perform in an exclusive production, showcasing just them and their peers. Scholars will also be expected to participate in some way in any production taking place at Charterhouse with opportunities including backstage, front-of-house and tech crew.

In addition, Scholars will be encouraged to participate in organising theatrical events themselves, such as directing or producing a House play or a piece for Artifex, to further enhance their skills as they move up through the school.

Whilst GCSE Drama and Theatre Studies A Level options are available, there is no expectation that a Scholar would or should opt for these subjects.  However, Scholars will be invited to related workshops, lectures and theatre trips, arranged for pupils who are studying Performing Arts as part of their Curriculum.

We aim to give all our Scholars and pupils a first-class experience in every aspect of Theatre and Dance, by providing teaching and mentoring by performance professionals who understand the importance of the discipline of Performance Arts in promoting the improvement of skills, motivation, dedication and focus.  We believe this and the encouragement of their successes provides valuable life skills whatever their aspirations for the future.

Details of initial video submissions for candidates are listed below. From these recordings, candidates will be selected and invited to a live audition at Charterhouse. Please state your name and reasons for your choice at the beginning of each video.

Dance Scholarship

Candidates should have a keen interest in and, importantly, some experience of a number of any forms of Dance. To audition please fully prepare and film two dance pieces, set to music, of any genre.  Please make your pieces contrasting. 

Drama Scholarship

Candidates should have a keen interest in, and some experience of acting through performance, perhaps through school productions or youth theatre. This disciplined art requires both skill, drive and focus that provide important life skills no matter which path the Scholar chooses to follow in the future. To audition please fully prepare and film a monologue of your choice.  (No longer than three minutes)

Performing Arts Scholarship

Candidates should show some competency, and have a keen interest in, ALL three disciplines of the Performing Arts - Acting, Dance and Singing.  All these three skills require discipline, focus, dedication and skill. Scholars will have the opportunity to work with highly skilled actors and musical theatre performers currently or previously working in London’s West End. To audition please thoroughly prepare and film a musical theatre song of your choice (specifically within your vocal range), and EITHER a spoken monologue OR a dance piece of any genre. You may submit all three if you so wish.

Our Performing Arts Centre, situated in the Ben Travers Theatre, is a wonderful, well equipped site for our Scholars and pupils to undertake all aspects of performance art - Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.

This on-site facility provides the best experience for all our Scholars and beyond. All pupils at Charterhouse are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of theatre, not just performing but also in production skills such as lighting, sound and other backstage work and front-of-house work.

As well as taking part in choirs, bands, orchestras, and chamber music, a Music Scholar will play a prominent role in the House Music Competition, and will give regular performances as part of informal lunchtime concerts as well as more formal recitals. There are frequent orchestral, chamber music and choral concerts both at Charterhouse and outside the School. Music Scholars are ambassadors for Music, setting the highest standards of attendance, punctuality and application, inspiring other musicians to reach their musical potential.

There are annual Music prizes, judged by distinguished visiting musicians in all aspects of performance and in composition. Aspiring composers may receive tuition from either or both resident composers on the full-time music staff. Organists will play for Chapel Services and conductors can try their hand with choir and orchestra, either in rehearsal or performance.

All Music Award Holders will be asked to sing with one of the low commitment Chapel Choirs. Those with chorister backgrounds and first study singers will also be asked to join the Schola Cantorum when their voices have developed sufficiently.

The Music Scholarship Examination takes the form of a practical test. Musicianship and promise, as well as careful preparation, will be looked for. Each candidate will be expected to perform two well contrasted pieces on his or her chosen instrument, and to perform a quick study piece.

For all instruments the standard should not be below Grade V of the Associated Board. If a second instrument is offered, one piece only should be played on it.

Singer only applications will be considered, but will need to be exceptional and backed up by outstanding sight singing skills.

The Director of Music is happy to meet all applying scholars prior to the audition, please contact the Music Department directly on music@charterhouse.org.uk and they will be happy to arrange a pre-audition.

A 15-minute period of preparation is allocated before each audition. Five minutes of this is for a timed preparation of the quick-study piece and 10 for preparation of the chosen music with a Charterhouse accompanist. We do insist that all candidates work and perform with one of our own staff in order to assess how they work in such a situation. We are able to consult our accompanist about this process and to enable a further degree of fairness in the proceedings. Candidates may also be examined in sight- reading, scales and arpeggios. Original compositions may be submitted.

Sports Scholarships are awarded to candidates who demonstrate excellence, commitment and leadership in their chosen sport(s).

Each application is considered individually and account is taken of the likely contribution a candidate would make to sport at Charterhouse.  Our expectation is that candidates will be of a very high level for their age in their chosen sport.

Applications are welcome from across all sports, but emphasis is placed on our core sports, which are football, hockey, netball and cricket. As part of the application we require two references (please contact your current Director of Sport and/or a Sport Coach(es) and request that they send a reference supporting your application to: Cherry Scott at the following email address:  underschooladmissions@charterhouse.org.uk) by Friday 6 December at the latest. This does not need to be a long reference – just a couple of concise paragraphs will suffice (no portfolio is needed). The assessment will take place at Charterhouse on Wednesday 29 January 2025.  We expect potential sport scholars to attend the assessment in person.

Sport Scholars are expected to set the right example during all training sessions and matches, and be a positive role model to others.  Moreover, behaving with integrity and demonstrating a respectful nature when representing Charterhouse sport is crucial. Behaviour, attitude and attainment in a non-sporting context will also be monitored. Compulsory attendance at sessions and workshops throughout the year is also required.

Sport Scholars will have their talents enriched through our Charterhouse Athlete Programme (CAP). This is designed to support our top sportsmen and sportswomen in the School.   These include:

• Athletic Development
• Nutrition support
• Psychological support
• Sport science testing and reporting

All athletes on the Charterhouse Athlete Programme are expected to observe the key Sport Department motto which is ‘10 things that require zero talent’:

• Be on time
• Maximum effort
• Strong Work ethic
• High energy
• Show good manners
• Positive body language
• Show passion
• Be coachable
• Be prepared
• Do that little bit extra

The Foundation Scholarship assessment will take place at Charterhouse on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 April 2025.

Academic Scholars are assessed in three key areas:

1. Their academic level of attainment in key subjects as demonstrated in the scholarship papers they sit
2. Their personal motivation and engagement with scholarship and scholarly activities as demonstrated at interview and in their personal statement
3. Their potential to act as academic role models who exemplify the Charterhouse Learner Profile attitudes and behaviours as demonstrated in their application and throughout the assessment day

Academic Attainment

All candidates are required to take the following papers: English, Mathematics, French or Spanish and a Science paper (which covers all three sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics). They should also select two further papers from the following: Geography, History, Latin, Additional Mathematics and Greek. Most papers are based on the appropriate Common Entrance Syllabus, although in parts of the French and Latin papers a wider range of vocabulary and syntax may be found.

Engagement with Scholarship

On the scholarship assessment day candidates will have an interview with a member of the Scholarship team and take part in a short lesson with other candidates on a topic outside of the Common Entrance syllabus. These help us assess their oral contribution in two different scenarios. No preparation is required for the lesson.

Candidates should submit a personal statement of no more than 400 words along with their application. Candidates should explain succinctly what they could contribute as a Scholar at Charterhouse, what they think they might gain from the Scholars’ programme, what particular academic interests they have and what they have done to demonstrate those interests to date. This will be discussed at interview.

Academic Role Models

Charterhouse expects its Scholars to lead the way in demonstrating academic attainment and endeavour to their peers. Attainment is important, but we are also interested in how Scholars exemplify the right attitude and behaviour and role model this to their peers. They do this by exemplifying the attitudes and behaviours of our Learner Profile consistently and at the highest level. All pupils are encouraged to embody this and are rewarded for demonstrating this as part of their academic effort.

The Charterhouse Learner strives to be:

• Reflective recognises areas for improvement, is open to feedback and acts to address it.
• Generous inspires, helps and supports others to achieve high standards.
• Ambitious aims high, continuously tries to improve their personal best, stretching themselves beyond their comfort zone.
• Determined keeps going and gives their very best, even when facing setbacks or difficulties.
• Inquisitive listens first. Questions thinking. Shows self-motivation by exploring and engaging well beyond the syllabus.

We will ask questions at interview that encourage candidates to demonstrate and give examples of how they have shown these attitudes and behaviours. We will also observe them in their interactions with other candidates and teachers throughout the day, looking for evidence of these.

Charterhouse Academic Scholars’ Programme

The Academic Scholars’ programme exists to inspire and enable all pupils to explore independently their full academic potential beyond the curriculum. Scholars follow a bespoke programme of academic enrichment and extension, which develop skills and opportunities. Some activities are tailored for specific year groups and include:

• Debating, including coaching in parliamentary debate
• Academic day trips - university open day, academic conference or visit to a city to explore key cultural sites.
• Essay writing and competitions
• Research project presentation
• Opportunity to be involved in academic mentoring
• Participation in Scholars’ Society
• Most of the above will include presentation skills and public speaking

In any given year, a number of Scholarships will be awarded, though exact numbers will depend on the quality of the field of candidates. Every year we award one Reginald and Maurice Benn Scholarship (Benn Scholarship) for distinction in Classics in The Foundation Scholarship examination or CE. The Benn Scholarship may be held in addition to other Scholarships.