In what areas are Merit Awards offered?

We offer the following awards

• academic

• art

• design and technology

• music

• sport (not at 11+)

Does Bloxham offer ‘all-rounder’ awards?

Not as such, but if a candidate sits for more than one award and comes close to, without actually reaching

the required standard in all of them, a Chapel Centenary Award for all round merit can be made.

At what age can a boy or girl sit for an award?

Merit Awards are made at the following stages in a child’s education

• at 11+ for entry into the Lower School; pupils are in Year 6 when they take the exam

• at 13+ for entry into the Middle School; pupils are in Year 8 when they take the exam

• at 16+ for entry into the Sixth Form; pupils are in Year 11 when they take the exam

What are the values of awards?

The maximum value of any award is 50%. As an HMC School we have agreed to a general policy that this is the maximum award. If the parents’ financial circumstances warrant it, an award can be increased by a

means-tested bursary, whose value is based on documentary evidence produced by the parents.

There are four levels of Merit Awards, in order of merit

• Major Scholarship value 35 -50%

• Scholarship usual value 33%

• Exhibition usual value 15 -25%

• Chapel Centenary Award these are usually fixed sum awards of a value less than an Exhibition would be. Music Scholars and Exhibitioners receive their instrumental tuition on their first instrument, and theory tuition if required, free of

charge when taught by the School’s own music staff.

How many awards are made each year?

There is no fixed number or upper limit to the number of awards that can be made. We try to award them on an absolute standard so that, for example, a Scholarship means the same thing each year. If there are more candidates of a good standard in a particular year, then more awards will be made.

For how many different awards can a candidate sit?

As many as they like – though we do not advise anyone to sit for an award if they do not expect to perform reasonably well in the exam or tests. Awards are not strictly added up, but someone who wins an Exhibition in two areas can expect to be awarded more than 25%. The upper limit of 50% always applies.

Can a pupil who holds an award try for one again at a later stage?

Yes. For example, someone who wins an award at 11+ can sit for one at 13+ to see if he or she can improve. If higher standard is achieved, relative to the age, then a higher award can be made. However, the original award will not be lost if the reverse is true! This is also the case at 16+.

Scholarship and Entry Examination Dates for Entry in September 2008.

Lower School Entrance Examination (11+) and Awards :

Academic Entry Exam on which academic awards will be made: 

Monday 21 January 2008.

(Closing date for application is Friday 11 January 2008)

Music, Art, Design & Technology awards :

Week commencing 21 January 2008. (Closing date as above)

13+ Scholarship

Academic, Music, Art, and Design & Technology

Week commencing Monday 3 March 2008

Sport:

Tuesday 4 March 2008

(Closing date for applications is Monday 4 February 2008)

16+ Scholarships

Academic : Monday 12 November 2007

Sport: Tuesday 13 November 2007

Music, Art and Design & Technology:

Week beginning Monday 12 November 2007

(Closing date for applications is Monday 5 November 2007)