New Foundation Scholarships

Starting in September 2009 Eton is offering a new annual scholarship by examination and interview for one or two boys who have been educated in the UK maintained (state) sector for at least years 6, 7 and 8 of their schooling up to age 13. It is aimed in particular at boys who would not be able to attend Eton without very substantial financial assistance (in certain cases, full assistance may be given), and who are not in a position to prepare easily for the King’s Scholarship. The intellectual standard expected will be very high and comparable with the King's Scholarship, but the emphasis in the New Foundation Scholarship will be even more fully on potential rather than knowledge.

The examinations are based on the National Curriculum and will involve compulsory papers in English, Maths and Science. There will be a fourth subject assessment which will take the form of a general academic interview or an interview whose subject is determined by the candidate electing to discuss a piece of subject-related work of which he is particularly proud. A general reasoning test will also be set, and candidates will have subject-specific and general interviews. The aim is to identify potential academic high-flyers, ideally with other talents to be developed in sport or in the arts, and the personality to adapt successfully to the life of a boarding community.

Sample papers will not be available.

Eligibility : applicants will normally be in year 8, the school year in which their 13th birthday falls. A boy who will be 14 before September 1st is too old to enter.

There will be an Open Afternoon in early November, followed by initial assessment tests which will be offered on dates in November and early December. Boys who are shortlisted will be invited to take part in the Scholarship examinations which will take place over a three-day period in late January and involve a two-night stay in a boarding house. Results will be made known and places offered in mid-February for entry the following September. Further information and application details are available from the Access Adviser.