Thornton College offers scholarships in recognition of outstanding achievement and potential for internal and external students every year.Â
Scholarships are limited and are offered by the Executive Team in consultation with the Governors. They are offered as a discount on fees ranging from 5-50% and are not means-tested. Students can be entered for more than one scholarship award but normally only one may be granted. In rare cases, a student may receive a combined award. Â
SCHOLARSHIPS INTO YEARS 7 ARE OFFERED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
Academic scholars are elected as being amongst the brightest academically in their year, destined for exceptional results. The academic assessment will vary depending on your daughter’s year group. Your daughter will join us for a taster day which will involve the assessment as well as experiencing our lessons, meeting the teachers and we will be able to see how your daughter settles into a classroom environment.
Offers will be dependent on your daughter’s taster visit.
For entry into Year 7 your daughter will sit the CAT4 assessment.
Essential requirements
Candidates will be expected to have excellent performance skills and show exceptional potential as well as genuine excitement for the subject.
All students awarded a Drama Scholarship are expected to be part of school performances and attend Drama clubs. They will also be expected to participate in local, regional and national competitions.
Your daughter’s application will be reviewed and if successful, she will be invited to join us for a drama audition which will last approximately 1.5 hours and will include a performance and interview with our Head of Drama.
Candidates will be expected to:Â
Essential requirements:
Desirable requirements:
Candidates need to demonstrate musical talent in an audition and are expected to show exceptional musical potential. Those entering would usually be working at grade 3 or above for Year 7 entries.
All students awarded a Music Scholarship are expected to play in the school orchestra, sing in the choirs and represent the school in music competitions.
Your daughter’s application will be reviewed and if successful, she will be invited to join us for a music audition and interview with our Director of Music. The music audition will last approximately 25 minutes.
Candidates will be expected to:
An accompanist will be provided if required. Candidates should send a copy of the pieces that they will be performing to admissions@thorntoncollege.com at least a two weeks prior to the audition.
Essential requirements:
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate skill, potential and genuine enthusiasm in their chosen sports. They should be able to take part in two or more sports, preferably having reached county level or higher.
Sports scholars will represent the school by playing in school teams and participate in school sporting events. They will also be expected to represent the school, either individually or as part of a team, in local, regional and national competitions.
Sport Scholarships are available in:
Open Sport Scholarships are available in:
Your daughter’s application will be reviewed and if successful, she will be invited to join us for a sports audition which will include an interview with our Director of Sport.
Candidates will be expected to:Â
If you have applied for an Open Sport Scholarship and you are not familiar with the sports played at audition, we will assess each candidates response to instruction, fitness, development and progress during the audition. Decisions will be made on the demonstration of understanding, skill, fitness, and any other material provided on the day.
Essential requirements:
 Desirable requirements:
SCHOLARSHIPS INTO YEAR 12 ARE OFFERED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
These scholarships may be awarded to students who are high achieving across a range of subjects at GCSE and who are likely to contribute exceptionally to the overall life of the Sixth Form. Candidates will be reaching their potential academically, with major co-curricular strengths, particularly in the areas of Drama, Music and Sport.
Applicants will be required to sit a Yellis test followed by an interview with the Head of Sixth Form and Headteacher.
Essential requirements:
Academic Scholarships may be awarded to students with excellent predicted GCSE examination grades.
Applicants will be required to sit a Yellis test followed by an interview with the Head of Sixth Form and Headteacher.
Essential requirements:
All students in receipt of a scholarship award are expected to assist at major events such as open mornings and represent the school in areas related to their scholarship awards, such as competitions.
External candidates applying for a scholarship must be registered for a place at Thornton College and have booked/completed a taster day visit.
Scholarships are awarded on the clear understanding that the recipient will complete her education at Thornton to the end of Key Stage 4 (GCSE). The discount on fees under a scholarship award must be reimbursed if a scholar is withdrawn before the end of Year 11 / Year 13. Students in receipt of a scholarship at Year 7 will need to re-apply for a scholarship at Sixth Form entry.
Applications for Drama, Music and Sport are now closed for September 2025 entry.
If your daughter is a current Thornton student, please visit the parent portal.Â
