Applications are open for Eton College’s fully-funded sixth form scholarship programme: The Orwell Award 2025.
Every year, up to 12 talented boys whose life opportunities may have placed them at a disadvantage receive an Orwell Award. These fully-funded, means-tested sixth form places at Eton offer a transformative educational experience.
Eton is therefore looking for Year 11 boys with high academic aspirations in UK state schools who will embrace the breadth of Eton’s academic curriculum and co-curriculum. As Orwell Award holders, they will be offered exceptional opportunities and experiences both in and out of the classroom. With the help of Eton’s staff, such candidates will be applying to the most competitive universities.
The Orwell Award Open Day is on Sunday 15 September 2024 (1.30pm-5pm) and families should email [email protected] to book. At the annual Orwell Open Day there will be an opportunity for prospective Orwell boys and their families to come and see Eton for themselves. During the visit they will hear from the Headmaster, from the founder of the Orwell Award Programme, Deputy Head of Partnerships, Director of Admissions and other key members of staff. There will also be the opportunity to meet Eton’s current Orwell boys who will be able to share their knowledge and experience of the application process and life as an Etonian. There will then be a tour of the school with plenty of time for questions to be asked as well as refreshments. We hope to see as many boys and their families as we can.
Current Orwell Award holders have appeared in their local press recently, with the Romford Recorder interviewing William Eze about his first year at Eton and The Star reporting on Sheffield teenager Kiijon Brown, who last year became the first young person from Sheffield to review the Orwell Award.
The Orwell Award differs from many other scholarships; in addition to evaluating a candidate’s academic potential, the entry criteria also consider how an applicant’s personal circumstance can hold back academic achievement.
Applicants are therefore assessed against specific criteria, such as if you have refugee status or are a Looked After Child, if you are in the first generation of your family to go to university, if you are in receipt of the Pupil Premium, or if you currently attend a school Ofsted has identified as ‘requiring improvement’ or in ‘special measures’.
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.
Click here to apply for the Orwell Award 2025.
More information about Eton’s outward facing work can be found here.
