Fees, Bursaries & Scholarships at St Swithun's

Here you will find our fees, bursary and scholarship information pertinent to the 2023/24 academic year.

Jump to: Bursaries   Scholarships

School Fees

Prep School Fees for the 2024/25 school year:

Senior School Fees for the 2024/25 school year:

For each entry point all bar £500 of the deposit will be offset against the first term’s fees and the remainder will be returned after payment of the final term’s fees and any extras.

In addition to the deposit, citizens without UK-residency status will be required to make payment of the remainder of the first year’s fees  (that is an additional two terms’ fees) in the spring term before entry in order to confirm to UK Visas & Immigration that this payment has been received as part of the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

Please contact the school accountant on 01962 835700 if you require any further information.

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Monthly Payment

Fees may be paid by monthly direct debit via School Fee Plan

Sibling Discount

We offer sibling discount to families with three daughters at St Swithun’s. Parents receive a 10% discount for the eldest daughter if she is a day girl, or are only required to pay the day fee if she is a boarder in the senior school. Please contact the school accountant (01962 835700) if you require any further information.

Armed Forces Bursaries

We offer a number of 20% boarding bursaries to new regular HM Armed Forces families drawing CEA and joining the school.

Bursaries

Means-tested awards of up to 100% of tuition fees could be available for girls who meet the senior-school’s entrance criteria. Means-tested awards are not routinely available for the prep school but may be considered, at the discretion of the school, for truly exceptional circumstances. Please discuss with the prep-school registrar before making an application

Candidates for an assisted place follow the same entrance procedure as all other applicants but the standard school registration form should be completed and submitted at the earliest opportunity. Means-tested award applications should be submitted by the 30th September in the year prior to entry. In certain circumstances applications may be considered outside this timescale. For further information and an MTA application form please contact the school office. Guidance as to potential eligibility may be given to parents by the school bursar on 01962 835700.

Decisions regarding the allocation of MTA funds are made when offers are confirmed; for year 12 (sixth-form) and year 9 (13+) candidates this is in early December and for year 7 (11+) candidates this is in late January.

An MTA is intended to be for the duration of a girl’s time at the school. An award is subject to satisfactory educational progress and to an annual financial review. Girls allocated an award are normally expected to complete their education in the school up to and including the sixth form.

Scholarships

Jump to:  Music  Sport

Academic

We offer academic scholarships at year 7 (11+), year 9 (13+) and year 12 (15+).  These carry a fee subsidy of 5% or 10% and are awarded at the discretion of the scholarship awards committee.

External Candidates

Year 7 (11+) candidates are selected on the basis of their pre-test scores, school reference and their written entry papers. They are invited for interview in January.

Year 9 (13+) UK-based candidates may be put forward by their current school and take the Common Academic Scholarship papers in the February of the year of entry. Overseas-based candidates and late-entry UK-based candidates are selected on the basis of their performance in our own entry papers which are taken in the November of the year prior to entry and may be invited to attend for interview in the February of the year of entry. 

Scholarships for year 12 (sixth-form) candidates have been awarded. Testing for 2025 scholarships will take place in the autumn term 2024.

Scholarship interview dates for 2025 entry TBC. 

Internal candidates

Internal candidates for year 9 (13+) scholarships are invited to apply at the appropriate time by the deputy head academic. They are considered alongside candidates from other schools and are interviewed in February.

Internal candidates for year 12 (sixth-form) scholarships are invited to apply and are selected based on the results of academic assessments in their intended A level subjects. They are considered alongside external candidates and are examined in November in the year preceding entry.

Music

External candidates

Music scholarships and exhibitions may be awarded each year to suitable applicants at year 7 (11+), year 9 (13+) and year 12 (sixth-form). Scholarships carry a fee subsidy of 5-10% and cover music tuition on two instruments, per annum, for the duration of the award. Music Exhibitions cover music tuition on one instrument, per annum, for the duration of the award.

The minimum Associated Board standard required for music scholarships and exhibitions is Grade 5 at year 7 (11+) , Grade 6 at year 9 (13+)  and Grade 7 at year 12 (sixth-form) on the first instrument. Candidates must offer at least two instruments at audition, although the second instrument may be at a lower performance standard.

All candidates who are offered a music scholarship or exhibition must also fulfil the school’s academic entrance requirements. Auditions are held in January (year 7 and year 9) and in November (year 12).

The application deadline for 11+ is Friday 29th November.

The audition dates for 2025:

11+ (overseas candidates) Wednesday 13th November 2024 (online)

11+ Thursday 9th and Friday 10th January 2025

13+ Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th January 2025

16+ Friday 15th November 2024

All enquiries should be made directly to the music department. Arrangements will be made for an initial audition (which usually takes place the term before) for guidance with the real audition as above.

Music scholars may also make a separate application for a means-tested award in exactly the same way as any other applicant to the school. Applications for a music scholarship must be accompanied by a completed registration form.

Overseas Candidates

Applications must be received by:

11+ Friday 4th October 2024

13+ Friday 29th November 2024

16+ Friday 4th October 2024

Video recordings of the performances must be submitted by 11^th October 2024 and online interviews will take place on 13^th November 2024. 

The video recording should consist of the following:

a) First Study Instrument

Performance of a pair of contrasting pieces (or songs) of the candidate’s choice.

b) Other Instruments

Performance of one piece (or song) of the candidate’s choice.

All pieces should be accompanied unless specified otherwise.

Interview and Discussion

During this session the candidate will speak with the Director of Music and Head of Instrumental Studies to talk about her musical interests, aspirations and achievements.

Common Entrance candidates should be aware that the award of a Music Scholarship or Exhibition at St Swithun’s does not automatically qualify them for a place at the school; the Common Entrance examination must be sat in the usual way, and a place will be offered to the candidate provided she reaches the required academic standard. Sixth Form candidates who are offered a Music Scholarship or Exhibition must also fulfil the School’s academic entrance requirements. The level of financial support offered to all music scholars is subject to means-testing. All music scholars are offered free tuition on two instruments and exhibitioners have free tuition on one instrument. Scholars and exhibitioners are expected to study at least one of their instruments with a teacher at St Swithun’s.

Further details can be obtained from Ms YiRu Chiam Hall , Director of Music by telephone (01962) 835746 or E-mail [email protected]. Prospective music scholars/exhibitioners and their parents are strongly recommended to contact Mrs Hall, to arrange an early opportunity for a pre-audition: to meet, see the Music Department and discuss their situation in an informal, open-ended way.

Internal candidates 

Music scholarships are also open to girls already in the school. Internal candidates must meet the Associated Board standard required for music scholarships, Grade 6 at year 7 and Grade 7 at 16+ on two instruments. Internal candidates will be nominated by their music teachers with reports submitted to the director of music. They will be invited to audition on the same dates and in the same way as the candidates from other schools. 

For further information and a music scholarship application form please contact the music department.

Sport

Deadline: TBC

Assessments: TBC

Scholarships may be awarded each year to suitable applicants at year 9 (13+) and year 12 (sixth-form) entry to a value of 5% or 10%.

Once a scholarship has been awarded, it is retained to the end of the upper sixth subject to annual review. Successful applicants will be playing at county level or above for one of the school’s major sports (lacrosse, netball, cricket, tennis and athletics).

Ideally, they will also offer a second major sport to school A-team standard or have reached county level or above in one of the other sports played at St Swithun’s. There is an expectation that sports scholars are fully committed to sport at St Swithun’s, which includes attendance at matches and team practices. All candidates who are offered a sports scholarship must also fulfil the school’s academic entrance requirements.

Candidates are invited to an interview and an assessment day.

For further information and a sports scholarship application form please contact the sports department

Drama

Deadline: TBC

Drama auditions: TBC

Scholarships may be awarded each year to suitable candidates at year 9 (13+) and year 12 (sixth-form) entry to a value of 5% or 10%

Candidates will be expected to be an actively involved pupil in their current school’s drama department and are able to offer either acting or design as their skill.  The over-riding factor in whether a candidate receives an award will be whether they show exceptional promise in Drama. If you are in any doubt about suitability for an award, please contact the Head of Drama Pepe Gudiño Resendiz in advance at Drama Department

The process.

The format of the audition will be designed to allow each pupil an equal opportunity regardless of experience. The auditions will be held in a small workshop group, offering each pupil the opportunity to perform individually and with others. The workshop will last approximately one hour. Candidates will be assessed in either acting or design in the following ways. 

ACTING

Candidates will be required to perform two contrasting speeches from plays of their choice, lasting a maximum of two minutes each, performed ‘in role’ and script-free. One classical and one contemporary monologue.

Both pieces should come from full-length published plays and not from speech-only audition books. Pupils should choose a role from a contemporary/classical play and their monologue should provide them with a versatile platform to showcase their acting strengths. Candidates will have a chance to ask the head of drama questions.

DESIGN

Candidates should present two short demonstrations of design from plays of their choice. Candidates may choose one or more of the following design skills to show:

• Set
• Masks
• Puppetry
• Lighting
• Sound
• Hair, Costume & Make-up

Pupils should bring evidence of their design work, either in photographic form, recordings or the actual articles.

Candidates should be prepared to introduce their approach to design in terms of their influences, stylistic approach and process. Those specialising in Lighting and Sound may choose to demonstrate their practical expertise using equipment provided by St Swithun’s school (lighting board, lanterns, sound player sources) – you must notify us ahead of time if you wish to do this. Candidates will have a chance to ask the head of drama questions.

Interview

All candidates will have the opportunity to expose their ideas and reasons of why they should be considered for a scholarship in a short interview with the Head of Drama and the Head.  
The Head of Drama’s decision is final. Brief written feedback for all shortlisted candidates will be included in the letter informing you of the outcome.

International candidates.

Candidates will follow the same steps as above with the exception of the workshop. The whole process will take place online (facetime) via Microsoft teams or zoom.

Art 

Deadline: TBC

Art scholarships may be awarded each year to suitable applicants for year 9 (13+) and year 12 (sixth-form) entry. Scholarships carry a fee subsidy of 5% or 10%. Once a scholarship has been awarded, it is retained to the end of the upper sixth subject to annual review.

Candidates are invited to attend an interview. perform a practical activity and will be asked to share their portfolio. During the interview the candidate will speak to the head of art to talk about their interests, aspirations and achievements. 

Art scholars will receive:

• Opportunities to develop their craft
• A scholarship mentor who will:
  • Direct students to opportunities to extend and deepen their artistic interests and skills
  • Encourage students to take part in and / or support artistic events
  • Encourage students to lead artistic activities
  • Advise on managing a balance between artistic interests and other studies and opportunities
  • Share ideas and monitor and target ambitious progression.

Art scholars are expected to:

• Study Art GCSE and A level
• Lead by example through participating in artistic events such as exhibitions, talks and other cultural activities over the year as well as showing a willingness to offer help to the art department such as through the curation of exhibitions
• Demonstrate an interest and independence of thought beyond the classroom and school through wider engagement. This might include television programmes, magazines and news articles and visiting galleries.

Act as ambassadors for art by:

• Demonstrating intellectual confidence by supporting or delivering whole school assemblies
• Disseminating ideas and thoughts following their own wider engagement (as above)
• Encouraging others to engage with the subject
• Suggesting ideas that might improve the art department.

For further information and an art scholarship application form, please contact the art department 

Maths

Deadline: TBC

Assessments: Autumn term 2024

One maths scholarships may be awarded each year to suitable applicants at year 9 (13+) and year 12 (sixth-form) entry to a value of 5% or 10%. Once a scholarship has been awarded, it is retained to the end of the upper sixth subject to annual review.

Candidates are invited to attend an interview with the head of mathematics.

Maths scholars will receive:

• Opportunities to be involved in and to lead challenging and enriching mathematical activities
• Opportunities to take part in mathematical competitions
• The opportunity to be part of a network of committed mathematicians at St Swithun’s and beyond St Swithun’s
• A maths mentor who will:

• Direct students to opportunities to extend and deepen their mathematical interests and skills
• Encourage students to take part in mathematical competitions
• Encourage students to lead mathematical activities
• Advise on managing a balance between mathematical interests and other opportunities

Maths scholars are expected to…

• Act as a role model by willingly being involved in mathematically enriching opportunities such as lectures, clubs and competitions.
• Where appropriate initiate new intellectually stimulating mathematical clubs or activities
• Show an intellectually curious approach to mathematics

All scholarships at 13+ and 16+ are available to both internal and external candidates.

Scholarships will be available for 2025