Eton College has announced the launch of the Orwell Award 2023 – Eton’s sixth form scholarship programme offering fully-funded places to talented pupils whose life opportunities may have placed them at a disadvantage.
Up to 12 fully-funded sixth form places are offered as Orwell Awards every year, with the intention of providing candidates with a transformative educational experience. Eton is looking for Year 11 boys in UK state schools who will embrace the breadth of the Eton experience in and out of the classroom, so as Orwell Award holders they can make the most of the exceptional opportunities and experiences on offer. Such candidates should have high academic aspirations and, with the help of Eton’s staff, will be applying to the most competitive universities.
The Orwell Award differs from many other scholarships; in addition to evaluating a candidate’s academic potential, the entry criteria also considers how an applicant’s personal circumstance can hold back academic achievement. Therefore, applicants are also assessed against specific criteria, such as if a boy has refugee status or is a Looked After Child, if he comes from a postcode area where opportunities for Higher Education are seriously diminished, if he is in receipt of the Pupil Premium or if he currently attends a school that Ofsted has identified as ‘requires improvement’ or in ‘special measures’.
Since 1440, Eton has been committed to enabling talented boys to come to the school no matter what their backgrounds or their financial circumstances.
Eton’s Head Master, Simon Henderson
The Orwell Award is named after George Orwell, who studied at Eton and was himself the recipient of financial aid as an Etonian. Recipients of the Orwell Award pay no fees throughout their Eton education and receive allowances to enable them to play a full and rewarding role in school life.
There are two further strands of the Orwell Award, the Sixth Form Music Award and the MCM Drama Award, which are available to outstanding musicians and exceptional drama students.
Further information about the MCM Drama Award, which welcomes applications from boys who are passionate about the theatre arts, is available here.
Further information about the Sixth Form Music Award, which welcomes applications from boys with a strong commitment to their music making, is available here.
More information about Eton’s outward facing work can be found here.
