Prep to Senior School Scholarships

Art Scholarships – 10% of fees

The Art department at Habs Boys provides students with the opportunity to work in a vast range of media including but not limited to oil painting, screen printing, ceramics, etching and photography. Students also have access to the Adobe Creative Cloud and often experiment with and create digital work in Photoshop and Illustrator. From Year 9 pupils can specialise in either Fine Art or Graphic Communication which allows them to develop significant expertise in their chosen field. All Art and Design students benefit from our small class sizes and at GCSE level and A Level, we mainly work one-to-one with our pupils forming a partnership of creativity aiding students in advancing their style and approach. 

Work from all year groups is exhibited in a bespoke exhibition space created within the Bourne Foyer, a prominent location in the School. Each year, selected pieces are also put on permanent display around the School and grounds as well as a small number of works being shown in the Haberdashers’ Hall. The bi-annual House Art Competition attracts participants from Year 7 to Year 11 and sees pupils completing high standards of observational drawing with commitment, focus and pride. We also run our very own “Turner Prize” and enter the Royal Academy’s annual Young Artists Summer Exhibition. We aim to embed Art and Design within the School community with pupils and staff all participating in activities and events such as the Big Draw, mural painting, and sketchbook circles.

The overall experience, in Art and Design, is strengthened and extended through our lively programme of cocurricular activities where pupils can enhance their learning through clubs and mastery classes. Life drawing, with professional life models, is a popular and challenging choice for Year 10 to Upper Sixth who also enjoy our open studio time when they can work on their own projects in an informal setting. We are very fortunate to be able to provide one day artist-led workshops for our most promising pupils as well as Year 9 students and exam classes. In these workshops, pupils gain insight and inspiration through working alongside artists, creating impressive additional pieces for their portfolios. At Sixth Form, as well as A Level Art and Design, pupils can opt to take short courses, for example Landscape Painting and can compete for a place in the national competition ARTiculation. 

What are we looking for in an Art Scholar?

To qualify for an Art Scholarship candidates must demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for Art and have developed drawing ability and creativity in their manipulation of a variety of media, ideas and approaches. Successful candidates will be expected to show not only a high level of technical skill, but, more importantly, imagination, originality and a palpable commitment to the subject. 

Candidates should be able to demonstrate: 

• exceptional control over more than one material creating art/design work which demonstrates complexity and sensitivity beyond the level expected for your year group
• self-direction and further engagement with the subject matter both in and outside of the classroom
• the ability to analyse artwork and communicate ideas to an outstanding level. 

 

How to apply

Stage 1

Candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio of six to 20 pieces in a simply presented digitalised format e.g. a power point to the Art department for review. We will look at the candidate’s potential rather than expecting highly finished work and welcome “work in progress” as part of the submission. 

Portfolios should be submitted by email to admissions@habsboys.org.uk by Monday 3 January 2022 at the very latest. 

The portfolio should include current (completed within the last two years) examples of the candidate’s independent:

• observational drawing
• use of colour media
• ideas and compositions 
• written analysis of art or design work/s which inspire the candidate’s own work
• brief annotations explaining each piece or collection of pieces.

Applicants should consider the following guidance before photographing their work: 

• take photos straight on and not at an angle
• ensure the photo and video is in focus so that all the work can be seen in the image
• use a ruler or pencil for larger pieces of work to show the scale 
• have a plain background behind the work. 

Stage 2 

The Head of Art will select candidates who have demonstrated their potential as an Art Scholar to be invited for an interview. This will take place in January 2022. 

During the interview, candidates will have the opportunity to talk about their work and will be asked questions about it. They should attend with their physical portfolio although large scale pieces which are difficult to transport can be presented through photographs. In addition, candidates will undertake a short practical and written task in response to the work of an artist or designer.
 

Drama Scholarships – 10% of fees

One of the most exciting and forward-thinking Drama departments in the country, overseen by highly experienced teachers alongside directors and associates working within the industry we aim to redefine traditional school practice to make bold, high-quality and transformative theatre in line with the UK’s other leading Youth Theatre companies. 

Across both academic and co-curricular drama we train students as dynamic theatre makers with an emphasis on process - challenging pupils to be storytellers, to take risks and discover their own voice, to create innovative, authentic and socially conscious work. 

Each year we produce an ambitious and wide-ranging programme of work from large scale productions to studio shows, writing projects and collaborations with external partners. Work includes new writing, devising original work, adaptations of books and graphic novels and reimagining classical texts. Students have opportunities to work alongside an incredible range of professional artists, including some of the country’s leading theatre makers, movement directors and writers. Alongside this there is an extensive range of additional creative projects, workshops, acting training, House Drama events, film-making and scriptwriting groups. 
Students regularly achieve the highest possible marks for their examined devising and performance work and each year we have a high number of students successfully audition to become members of the National Youth Theatre.
 

What are we looking for in a Drama Scholar?

Drama Scholars are integral to setting the standards and also helping to define the direction of the work we produce both in school and outside. 

We are definitely not looking for the finished article or polished performers. Whilst it would be good to see some experience based on their interest in drama, it is not an advantage to have any professional experience. We are looking for pupils who demonstrate:

• good natural instincts as a performer
• the ability to listen, to affect the other person and be in the moment
• great energy, presence and playfulness
• openness to take risks and test themselves
• collaboration and ability to work as part of a group
• an authentic voice, to demonstrate an interest in telling stories
• an interest in the world around them and engaging their imagination
• a desire to create their own work
• a passion and curiosity about theatre, films, reading and other art forms

 

Being a Drama Scholar

In addition to being an ambassador for the department in terms of pro-active engagement and enthusiasm, a Drama Scholar will:

• take academic drama to at least GCSE level and hopefully on to A Level
• take part in at least one large-scale production each year for their appropriate age group
• take part in at least one additional co-curricular activity - New Views / Film-making / Open mic nights
• take part in all appropriate House Drama events
• attend workshops, talks, theatre visits and enrichment opportunities

 

How to apply

Stage 1
Applicants should complete this online form by Monday 3 January 2022.Applicants must also send a separate link to their reference who should be a drama teacher, class teacher or the director of a production you have been involved in. References should refer to recent experience ideally within the last two years. This link can be found below.Please click here for the drama scholarship reference form

Please note: the applicant is responsible for sending the above link onto their referee and for ensuring that it is completed by Monday 3 January 2022.

 

Stage 2
The Head of Drama will select candidates who have demonstrated their potential as a Drama Scholar to be invited for an interview. This will take place in January 2022. 

Selected candidates will be asked to:

• take part in a practical group workshop which will explore the participants’ energy and playfulness; focus and physical discipline; openness and ability to take risks; listening skills and generosity to others; creative devising skills and imagination
• prepare a two-minute monologue from a published play which we will see and redirect. It is important to stress that we are more interested in seeing how open and playful the candidate can be when redirected and what their natural instincts are rather than seeing a polished performance
• have a conversation with the drama team about what they enjoy watching, what they feel passionate about and the sort of work and stories they would like to be involved in.

Music Scholarships – 10% of fees

The Music department at Habs is among the strongest in the country, and we aim to ensure that all have an opportunity to experience music throughout the school. Over 600 pupils of all ages learn instruments, and support a wealth of ensembles including four orchestras, three wind bands, a big band, jazz ensemble, many guitar and percussion groups, chamber groups and choirs.

The department gives approximately 16 evening concerts per year and weekly lunchtime recitals, as well as supporting assemblies throughout the week with musical performances. Concerts at venues such as the Barbican are a regular feature of the diary, as are tours in the holidays.

As part of its commitment to providing the best musical education to our pupils, Habs offers music awards to the strongest musicians in the school. Music award-holders are expected to take part in numerous school ensembles, and to be ambassadors for the department within the school community. In return the school offers them a financial incentive as well as certain privileges and opportunities.

There are two types of music award – scholarships and exhibitions:

• A scholarship includes 10% remission of fees and also free tuition on one instrument in school
• An exhibition gives free tuition on an instrument.

 

What are we looking for in a Music Scholar?

• Enthusiasm and an interest in Music: This is more important than anything else – music scholars should exude an enthusiasm for all types of music. They should enjoy discovering new music and be itching to discuss it
• Grade level: Candidates may be at any level on their instrument(s) and may have one or more instruments to offer. While most successful applicants are already at or above Grade 6 on an instrument upon application, the department places significant value on rate of progress: candidates who have achieved Grade 4 or 5 in a very short space of time have also been successful in the past
• Number of instruments: In some cases being able to play more than one instrument, or offer singing, can be an advantage, but a strong performer on one instrument is likely to be favoured over a lesser performer on two or more instruments
• Type of instrument: The School will wish to offer scholarships to those it can support best, and to that end candidates playing instruments which fit into our current ensembles are likely to have greater success. All are welcome however, and we will aim to create new ensembles for worthy candidates who play less common instruments

 

Application Process

Stage 1
Applicants should complete this online form detailing musical experience by Friday 19 November 2021.

Candidates have the opportunity as part of the application to write briefly about what it is that excites them most about their music. In mid-December candidates receive notice of whether they are to be called for audition. 

Stage 2

The Director of Music will select candidates who have demonstrated their potential as an Music Scholar to be invited for an audition. This will take place in January 2022. 

 

Being a Music Award-holder

Music Award-holders are given performance opportunities throughout their time at the school, within large and small ensembles and as soloists. Concert visits are also occasionally offered to award-holders in advance of others.

It is anticipated that the offer of free tuition will be used for the award-holder’s principal instrument; if they wish to continue lessons with a teacher not employed by the School these are not reimbursed. In this instance free lessons can, with the agreement of the Director of Music, be used for an additional instrument in school.