Applicants should:

• Be actively involved in an external gymnastics club

•  Provide a reference from their current school or gymnastics club

• Submit a short video showing floor and vault skills
• Ideally, applicants will also have experience competing through school or club.

Your CV, video and reference should be sent to our Registrar, Mrs Liz Szczerbiak.

Contact Registrar

Please note that the Awards are only available to pupils who have successfully passed the School’s entrance assessment and have formally registered for a place at St Mary’s School. 

Application Checklist:

• Have formally registered for a place at St Mary’s School.

Send the following to the Registrar:

•  CV

• Reference

• Skills video

Our Academic Scholars have a natural curiosity and love of learning. They excel across the curriculum. As a Scholar, the stretch and challenge both in and out of the classroom will allow your daughter to access advanced materials, build skills in independent study and research, and gain the confidence and self-belief to present her work to her peers, staff and parents. Her love of learning will extend beyond the classroom. 

Being an Academic Scholar – the opportunities 

• Dedicated scholars’ workshops with scholars from across the school.  

• Research projects that inspire and challenge her to be independent and creative.  

• Access to trips and visits to help develop cultural capital and a wider knowledge of the world around us.  

• Scholarship Masterclasses tailored to her interests.  

What do we expect in return?  

All Academic Scholars must attend all Scholars’ Workshops and engage in all activities set. They should lead by example by consistently acting as a role model to others in their lessons and engagement in academic enrichment. Academic Scholars must demonstrate their ability to  innovate and create – with research topics, presentation approaches, and exploration of new ideas. To help foster a collegiate and supportive academic environment, they must be, or learn to be, a team player, adaptable and flexible when working with peers.  

The Application Process
There is no separate application required for the Academic Scholarship. Students who perform highly on the assessment day will automatically be considered for an Academic Scholarship award. Please register for a place to sit the Year 7 entrance assessment. 

As an Art scholar at St Mary’s, your child will work in collaboration with our supremely talented artists from across the school on a variety of creative projects. We aim to foster an ethos of peer learning and aspirational leadership amongst our Art scholars. Our scholarship programme will afford your child the opportunity to mix with others who share their passions. 

Being an Art scholar – the opportunities 

• Working lunches to develop and create collaborative projects such as large-scale paintings for communal spaces, set design for school productions and much more. 

• Opportunities to work with visiting artists to build a variety of skills. 

• Trips to London galleries, Kew Gardens and beyond. 

What do we expect in return? 

• Have exceptional ability in their craft and be dedicated to improving their practice. 

•  Demonstrate leadership qualities and be confident to work with students from a range of year groups. 

• Be wholeheartedly committed to the opportunities that the Art scholarship provides. 

The Application Process 

Interested candidates should complete the online application form below. Ahead of shortlisting, candidates will be asked to submit an Art Portfolio. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to prepare a piece at home based on a supplied brief. Candidates will be invited for interview and assessment at St Mary’s. 

Our Dance Scholars will demonstrate technical excellence and expressive skill in performance. They will be versatile across two or more dance styles and display creativity and flair in choreography. Dance Scholars will be committed members of the Expressive Arts Faculty and will have experience performing in both school and external productions. Scholars may also hold qualifications from recognised external dance organisations. 

Being a Dance Scholar – Opportunities 

Dance Scholars will benefit from a wide range of exciting opportunities, including: 

• Membership of the SMS Dance Company — our performance and competition team — regularly performing at in-house events, external performances, and competitions.  

• Opportunities to create and perform original choreography at school events, festivals, and competitions.  

• The chance to perform in GCSE choreography pieces, supporting Year 11 students and gaining valuable performance experience.  

• Participation in workshops with visiting guest artists and professional dance companies.  

• Trips to a variety of performances in London and around the UK

• 1:1 support for competitions, auditions, and applications to post-16 dance schools and training programmes.  

• Opportunities to assist with and lead dance clubs from Key Stage 4 and beyond.  

What Do We Expect in Return? 

Dance Scholars will be enthusiastic, dedicated, and active participants within the school community. They should demonstrate commitment, professionalism, and a genuine understanding of the value of dance within the arts and the wider world of theatre and performance. 

Scholars will be expected to: 

• Participate fully in whole-school productions, including the school musical, gym and dance show, choreography competition, and showcase events.  

• Attend rehearsals, workshops, and performances with commitment and reliability.  

• Support and inspire younger students within the dance community.  

Above all, a Dance Scholar should show passion for dance and the performing arts, be willing to challenge themselves artistically and personally, and represent the school with pride, integrity, and enthusiasm. 

The Application Process 

Interested candidates should complete the online application form below. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to audition and will be required to: 

• Choreograph and perform a solo choreography piece in a dance style of their choice, lasting no longer than one minute.  

• Participate in a short class where candidates will be expected to participate in a short ballet barre and learn and perform a jazz and contemporary sequence for the audition panel.  

• Take part in a short and informal discussion with the panel about their dance experience. 

• Applicants will also be asked to provide a supporting reference from a relevant person. 

Our Drama scholars are inspired by all types of theatre – your child will have overwhelming confidence, a passion for performing and a love of watching live theatre. They will be able to inspire others through performance, be a natural leader and have a creative mind. They will have taken centre stage in and out of school productions and may have qualifications from external bodies. 

Being a Drama scholar – the opportunities 

• Create exclusive work to perform at in-house events, external festivals and competitions. 

• Take part in workshops with external companies such as Splendid, Shakespeare’s Globe, National Youth Theatre and visiting practitioners. 

• Trips to a range of performances in London and Oxford and other local venues . 

• 1:1 support for audition pieces for competitions and drama schools. 

What do we expect in return? 

Drama scholars will be consistently enthusiastic, active participants, and dedicated students who understand the benefit of drama and theatre in the wider world. 

The Application Process 

Interested candidates should complete the online application form below. Shortlisted candidates will prepare for the assessment at home. Those attending the audition, at St Mary’s, will be asked to take part in a group workshop and perform a monologue. We will also ask you to supply a supporting reference from a relevant source. 

Music scholars at St Mary’s have a talent for performing in at least one instrument. Your child will join a lively and welcoming, close-knit and supportive community, in the Music Department. We encourage, support and challenge each child to try new things – whether that’s an instrument, a composition style or a new type of performance. Scholars will inspire and make a lasting impression on up-and-coming Music scholars from across the school. 

Being a Music scholar – the opportunities 

• To develop confidence in performing, including at the Carol Service, Concerts throughout the year, assemblies, competitions and Speech Day. All Music scholars also take part in the ‘Music and Drama Scholars Recital Evening’ which is a highlight of the Music Department’s calendar.  

• To perform in various informal concerts held throughout the year at lunchtime or after school as well as the popular Open Mic sessions. 

• To take part in performance opportunities in the community, such as entertaining residents of local care homes.  

• To enter competitions both in school and nationally. 

• To be part of specific Music scholar events, including trips to concerts or West End shows and songwriting workshops with professionals from the industry. 

What do we expect in return? 

All Music scholars are expected to take an active and prominent role in the life of the Music Department and volunteer to perform regularly. Most scholars choose to take GCSE and A level Music. Music scholars can enjoy leadership opportunities, helping with musical activities in the Prep and Senior Departments. 

The Application Process 

Interested candidates should complete the online application form below. Candidates should be proficient in two musical instruments (this can include voice), although a student offering one instrument to a very high level may also be considered. They should be a minimum grade 3 on their main instrument or voice. Interested candidates should complete the online application form, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for an audition where they will be asked to perform a prepared piece, complete a sight-reading activity and take part in a short interview. The Director of Music will be looking for enthusiasm for music-making, potential as a performer, as well as excellence in their main instrument.  

A Sports scholar at St Mary’s is someone who regularly participates in one sport to a very high standard or takes part in a range of sports to a good level. Your child will show full commitment in and an overwhelming passion for their sport(s). They will be eager to try new things, and challenge themselves through co-curricular opportunities. They will represent the school where they can in their chosen sport(s). 

Being a Sport scholar – the opportunities 

• Weekly dedicated sports coaching with our Director of Sport before school. 

• Opportunities to learn more about the wider world of Sport including enjoying sessions in nutrition, sports psychology and target setting. 

• Participation in a range of specialist activities from shotput sessions through to Sports Leadership training hosted by local sports people. 

• Trips and visits allow them to grow their passion and understanding and broaden their knowledge. 

What do we expect in return? 

A Sports scholar will act as a role model – they will be an ambassador for sport throughout the school who consistently contributes to sport at St Mary’s. Scholars will be allocated an older student as a mentor who will encourage and support their scholar journey. In time, Scholars will train and become mentors themselves. 

The Application Process 

Those wishing to apply for a Sports Scholarship should submit a sporting CV in place of an application form – your CV should be sent to our Registrar, Mrs Liz Szczerbiak – registrar@stmarysgx.co.uk

Shortlisted applicants are invited to St Mary’s for an assessment day to include sporting activities, a fitness test and interview. 

A Gymnastics scholar at St Mary’s is someone who regularly participates in gymnastics to a high standard and often takes part in competitions through extra-curricular clubs inside and outside of school. Your child will show full commitment and an overwhelming passion for gymnastics. They will be eager to learn and perfect new skills and will be able to apply constructive feedback. They will represent the school where they can compete in regional and national school competitions. 

Being a Gymnastics scholar – the opportunities 

• ‎Opportunities to take part in high-level coaching sessions to improve skills and confidence. 

• ‎Participation in regional and national teams and individual competitions throughout the school year. 

• ‎Where appropriate, take part in group and/or individual performances in the biannual gymnastics and dance show. 

• Cohesive training with the school and outside gymnastics clubs. 

• When reaching the appropriate age, coaching opportunities and support in coaching qualifications may become available.  

What do we expect in return? 

A Gymnastics scholar will act as a role model and be dedicated to their team and to the improvement of their skills. They will always strive to be the best they can be, through extra practice and dedication outside of school, as well as regular attendance at school practices.  

The Application Process 

Applicants should:

• Be actively involved in an external gymnastics club

• Submit a short video showing floor and vault skills

• Provide a reference from their current school or gymnastics club

Ideally, applicants will also have experience competing through school or club.

A CV outlining how the criteria are met, together with the video and reference, should be submitted to the Registrar by the stated deadline. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Gymnastics Assessment session.

Your CV, video and reference should be sent to our Registrar, Mrs Liz Szczerbiak, at registrar@stmarysgx.co.uk