Scholarships

St Lawrence College has an outstanding reputation for sporting success in both boys’ and girls’ sports. Our pupils achieve personal and team success both within the school and outside it. Our aim is to foster an ethos of sporting achievement and encourage the need for a healthy lifestyle beyond the school gates. All the major sports are played to a high standard and the school has an excellent record of fielding teams at all age groups, despite being a medium-sized school. The four sports focused on within our scholarship programme are rugby, hockey, cricket and netball.

All pupils are given the opportunity to play cricket and to represent the school. We often have county youth cricketers at every age. We are also lucky to have a great coaching team which includes former Kent CCC, Gloucester CCC and England Cricketer, Geraint Jones MBE.

Hockey is the performance sport for girls in the Michaelmas Term, and during Lent Term for boys. Our first-class training facilities include an Olympic-standard water-based pitch, a sand-based astroturf and a fitness suite, which are all used regularly to improve overall performance.

Netball is the performance sport for girls in the Lent Term. Each team has its own suitably experienced and qualified coach, and regular fixtures are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturday afternoons. Talented netballers are entered into the Kent trials.

Scholarship Criteria

• Outstanding ability beyond their peers
• Proven commitment to their sport, including playing for clubs beyond School
• Potential to achieve at a high level, including a willingness to learn, a positive attitude and the ability to lead and inspire others.
• As a guide, candidates will usually be the top sportsmen or sportswomen in their schools and should be performing at the equivalent of County level or above.
• Sports Scholarships will only be awarded to pupils who excel in the major team sports played at St Lawrence; rugby, hockey, netball or cricket.

Assessment Method

Assessments in two sports will usually be undertaken within a group setting (a primary and secondary sport should be listed).

All pupils in Years 7 and 8 study Art. Lessons cover an expansive range of recording/drawing styles and the development and realisation of ideas. We also put a strong emphasis on experimentation that encourages individuals to produce a wide assortment of outcomes and final pieces.

We teach AQA’s GCSE specification in Art and Design from Year 10 (4th Form). Photography is a separate endorsement and this was launched in September 2013, which has proved to be very popular.

Throughout all courses we support and empower students to create works that have a unique approach and which demonstrate sensitivity to their subject matter as well as a distinctive application of their materials. We encourage individuals to engage with the real world not a virtual one, to explore their own ideas in 2D and 3D and to trust what they make. This allows pupils to explore and develop their own ideas from an array of influences and gives flexibility with outcomes in terms of mediums and processes. We aim to make the Art & Design and Photography courses experiential that engage other forms of intelligence to include kinaesthetic, spatial, interpersonal (relationships with others) and intra-personal (knowledge and understanding of the self).

Scholarship Criteria

• A genuine love of the subject that goes beyond the curriculum
• Art scholars for Year 7 or 9 entry must present a portfolio of artwork that demonstrates outstanding artistic ability for the age group and shows evidence of independent work produced in their own time, displaying a passion for Art and Design.
• Candidates at 16+ must be predicted at least a grade 7 or above in GCSE Art and Design and present an outstanding portfolio of work.

Assessment Method

Candidates will participate in a drawing assessment and attend an interview with the Head of Art, for the opportunity to discuss their portfolio.

It is the Music Department’s aim to develop an appreciation and understanding of music across a range of genres and styles while encouraging as many pupils as possible to experience the joy of performing in regular concerts and events held throughout the school year.

All pupils receive class music lessons in Years 7 and 8, after which the subject can be chosen as an option in Year 9 and at GCSE and A-Level. The Department houses a suite of Apple Macs in the main classroom, a range of practice rooms and a recording studio.
Opportunities for group music-making are many and varied and include the popular annual House Singing and Battle of the Bands competitions. Music groups include an Orchestra, two Choirs, Jazz Band, Rock Band, Cabaret Night and a number of other groups which are constantly evolving to reflect the pupils’ strengths each year.

Many pupils take individual instrumental and singing lessons, provided by a team of visiting music teachers who are all experts in their chosen field. Pupils regularly achieve Distinctions and Merits in ABRSM, Trinity and Rockschool examinations.

There are regular trips to concerts in London and the local area, giving pupils an opportunity to hear world class musicians in action. Professional musicians are also invited to the school to give workshops and masterclasses.

Scholarship Criteria

• Outstanding ability beyond their peers
• Candidates will need to have achieved at least the following levels: Grade 3 for Year 7 entry
• An ambition to be involved in all aspects of music in the school

Assessment Method

Candidates will be required to perform two contrasting pieces on their main instrument (or voice) and one piece on their second study if offered.

The Drama Department is situated in Taylor Hall, a modern 500-seater theatre fully equipped with professional lighting and sound equipment, dressing rooms and costume storeroom.

We host a diverse and ever-evolving range of co-curricular opportunities. There are two major productions during the academic year, one from Years 7 and 8 and the other from Years 9 to 13. A very popular date in the diary is the House Drama competition which is an excellent whole-school event. More recently, Arts Fortnight has been established which entails two weeks of exciting events, competitions and performances celebrating the Arts. There are also regular, more informal opportunities to perform at the termly Theatre Thursday events, a student-led showcase of performance.

Recent productions have included School of Rock, The Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, Hairspray, The Trial, The Accrington Pals, Lady Windermere’s Fan and Grease.

All students are taught Drama for one hour a week up to Year 8 as part of the curriculum. Year 9 and GCSE Drama are offered to pupils as an option choice.

We also offer in house LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) where speech and drama skills are developed, leading to examinations and performance opportunities.

Scholarship Criteria

• Outstanding ability beyond their peers
• A genuine love of the subject that goes beyond the curriculum
• Proven commitment to dramatic pursuits including classes, clubs or activities beyond School
• An ambition to be involved in all aspects of school drama

Assessment Method

Candidates are asked to prepare and perform a learnt monologue, no less than two minutes in length, taken from a scripted piece of drama. There will also be an interview with the Head of Department. In addition to a monologue, candidates are welcome to perform a song (musical theatre) or dance (any genre) if they are talented in either of these disciplines.