Autumn Scholarship Week

Week beginning Monday 16 November 2026

Scholarship Week is an opportunity for talented and enthusiastic children to showcase what they love while experiencing a normal day at Northbourne Park School. We are searching for pupils who will enrich our community through their curiosity, creativity, and commitment.

Scholarship Week at a glance

Year 3 and above

Children in Year 2 may apply for a Year 3 scholarship

Up to 50%*

Off day or boarding fees

Free to apply

No charge at any stage of the application

*if supplemented by a means-tested bursary

Next Scholarship Week: week beginning Monday 16 November 2026.

Your child attends for one day during the week. If these dates do not suit, or if you are hoping to join during the school year, we can arrange an assessment at another time.

Who can apply?

Scholarships are open to children entering Year 3 and above. Children currently in Year 2 can apply for a Year 3 scholarship.

Scholarships are offered in three areas:

Academic. For children who show high ability and curiosity across their learning.
Sport. For children with real aptitude and commitment in one or more sports.
Creative & Performing Arts. Art, Design Technology, Music, Drama and Dance.

Children may apply in more than one area. Successful candidates receive one combined award.

Pupils joining from overseas, including families applying to the Section Française Bilingue, are welcome to apply if their child will be with us for at least one full academic year. Scholarships are not available for one-term or Summer Immersion places.

What we are looking for

At Northbourne Park, scholarships recognise more than just current attainment. We are looking for children who demonstrate:

Potential and enthusiasm
Commitment to their chosen area
A willingness to contribute to school life
Curiosity and a love of learning
A positive attitude and strong character

Many successful candidates are not necessarily the highest achievers in every area. Instead, they demonstrate promise, passion and the potential to flourish within our school community.

Apply for Scholarship Week

Parent Information
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Child Information
	Full Name	Child's name is required
	Gender
	Date of birth
	Current year group
	Current school

Scholarship Details

Which discipline is the application for? (You can choose more than one option)

Academic

Sports

Performance and Creative Arts (including Music, Drama, Art, and D.T.)


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What the day looks like

Your child spends the day with the year group they would be joining, following its normal timetable. Their form teacher meets them in the morning, and a pupil buddy looks after them throughout the day. Assessments take place during the school day, which usually begins at 8.20am and ends at 4.20pm.

Most children attend for one day. If your child is applying in more than one area, we may ask them to come in for longer.

Assessments

	Academic Short standardised assessments with the Director of Studies, suited to your child's age. No preparation is needed.
	Sport A fitness and skills assessment with the Director of Sport.
	Music Two contrasting pieces, performed informally to the music staff. Children bring their own instrument.
	Drama Two contrasting pieces, ideally learned by heart.
	Dance Two contrasting pieces, danced to your child's own music.
	Art and Design Technology Photographs or copies of your child's work are sent with the application. On the day, they complete a short practical task shaped around their interests.

A conversation with the Head Teacher

Every candidate has an informal chat with Mr Mark Hammond, our Head Teacher. Children simply need to arrive ready to talk about their area of interest. Mr Hammond may ask about:

their main strength, and how they first got into it
achievements or experiences they are proud of
what they enjoy most about it
how they practise and improve
what they would bring to Northbourne Park as a scholar

At the end of the day

Your child's form teacher will give you general feedback when you collect your child. You will hear the outcome within about a week.

How to apply

1	Apply for Scholarship Week and visit the school Apply by completing the form above. We encourage families to visit the school before or during Scholarship Week; the admissions team will contact you to arrange this.
2	Send supporting information We will ask for supporting information, including recent school reports and a reference from a teacher, tutor or coach. Aspiring artists and designers should include a portfolio, which can simply be photographs of their work. Performers may send videos of performances they are proud of, and certificates or awards are helpful where relevant.
3	Receive confirmation We will confirm your child's date and send everything you need to know for the day.
4	Scholarship day A normal school day with their year group, assessments in their chosen area and a conversation with the Head Teacher.
5	Feedback and outcome Feedback at the end of the day, and a decision within about a week.
6	Accepting a place If a scholarship is offered, the standard admissions process follows.

Find out how the admissions process works

What a scholarship includes

A scholarship may reduce fees by up to 25%, for day and boarding pupils. It can be combined with a means-tested bursary, with the total usually not exceeding 50% of fees. Awards are reviewed each year and are only withdrawn in exceptional circumstances.

In Years 7 and 8, depending on the secondary schools they are applying to, scholars may follow a personalised programme led by a member of staff and built around senior school scholarships they are aiming for. In recent years, Northbourne Park pupils have won scholarships to Cobham Hall, Dover College, Kent College Canterbury, St Edmund's School Canterbury, Sutton Valence School and The King's School Canterbury.

Read about bursaries and other fee support

Did you know?

Scholars receive individual support in their area of talent, as well as benefitting from the excellent all-round education that Northbourne Park School provides, a provision that may not be available elsewhere for them.

	Over 40 fixtures a term Across the school, with more than five hours of sport every week from Year 3.
	Every child is in a production There is a Junior and a Senior production every year, and every pupil takes part. LAMDA lessons are also available.
	A singing school Weekly singing assemblies, and informal concerts every term where pupils perform at any level.
	A dedicated Art & Design Technology space With a broad syllabus, including ceramics, printing and sculpture.
	Specialist teachers from Year 5 Every subject is taught by a specialist from Year 5. Spanish starts in Year 5, and Year 7 pupils complete the ISEB Independent Project Qualification.
	100% Common Entrance pass rate Every year since the school was founded, alongside an 80% Kent Test pass rate in 2025.

Scholarship Week dates

Autumn Term

Week beginning Monday 16 November 2026

Applications close: Wednesday 11 November 2026

Spring Term

Week beginning Monday 1 March 2027

Applications close: Wednesday 24 February 2027

Summer Term

Dates to be confirmed

Your child attends for one day within the week. We will agree the date with you.

Scholarship Week is for children joining in the next academic year, and it is the best way for your child to be assessed. If your child cannot attend, or you are hoping to join partway through the school year, we can arrange an assessment at another time. Contact the Admissions team to discuss the options.

Apply for Scholarship Week

Complete the form above. The Admissions team will then contact you to arrange a visit to the school and to request supporting evidence for the application. We are happy to answer any questions.

+44 (0)1304 611215
admissions@northbournepark.com

Find out more about the Prep School

Scholars join the Prep School, which runs from Year 3 to Year 8 (Year 9 from September 2027). Read about lessons, sport, the arts and outdoor education at Northbourne Park.

Explore the Prep School