Scholarships

The Music department

The Music department at Habs is a vibrant, welcoming, and positive place to be, with an inclusive and encouraging approach celebrating excellence in performance at all levels.

Habs has excellent musical facilities in purpose-built buildings. The concert life is rich and varied with major orchestral and choral concerts, jazz concerts, lunchtime recitals, Open Mic concerts, Performing Arts Evenings, Music Festivals and Tours. Over 450 students across the school have weekly instrumental / singing lessons with our team of 23 visiting music teachers, and typically 100 students enter practical music examinations with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity College each term. We offer an exciting co-curricular programme of lunchtime and after school ensembles, directed by specialist staff and tutors, catering for all ages and abilities.

Singers can take part in Fourth Form Choir and Senior Choir, with more experienced singers catered for in Cantabile (Junior Chamber Choir) and St Catherine Singers (Senior Chamber Choir). Choirs sing in school concerts, the annual Carol Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, and have also performed outside school, at venues such as St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, numerous Cambridge and Oxford Chapels, St Alban’s Cathedral and St Paul’s Cathedral.

There are two Jazz Bands as well as a larger Wind Band and Wind Orchestra. Wind Band joins with Repertoire Strings to form a larger Concert Orchestra for our annual Summer Concert.

Musical events run throughout the year, including large termly concerts in school, chamber concerts, the annual Carol Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Performing Arts Evening and House Music Festival.

Among the highlights on offer to girls involved in musical groups are the school’s Music Tours. Recent tours have visited Barcelona, Salzburg, Lake Garda and Tuscany. We are also delighted to collaborate closely with Habs Boys’ School, offering a joint symphony orchestra, jazz ensembles, an academic Music Society, joint chamber ensembles and shared concert performances with guest conductors.

What are we looking for in a Music Scholar?

Music Scholarships are offered to candidates who show exceptional potential as musicians, demonstrated through advanced performance skills and innate musicianship, and whom we believe will act as ambassadors for music in our school community and beyond. As a guide, the following criteria should help you decide whether to enter your child for consideration for a music scholarship:

• Normally two instruments should be offered
• Principal instrument – 11+ around grade 5 standard (grade 6/7 if piano) 16+ should be at grade 8 on their main instrument.
• Second instrument – around grade 3 standard
• It is not essential that the actual grade exam has been taken, but the candidate should be playing at this level
• Participation in and contribution to school and outside musical ensembles

Candidates should be able to:

• Perform with excellent accuracy, fluency, and technical control
• Perform with convincing stylistic awareness and interpretative understanding
• Perform with effective expression and communication
• Demonstrate a high level of musicianship
• Demonstrate commitment to music-making in and out of school
• Demonstrate the ability to support and encourage others

Music Award

Scholarship candidates may be considered for a Music Award on one instrument (or voice). At 11+, Grade 4 – 5 standard should have been reached (Grade 6/7 if piano). At 16+, pupils should be at Grade 8 standard.

Music Exhibition

Occasionally, candidates who play less common instruments (the ‘rare breeds’ e.g. oboe, bassoon, brass instruments) at a lower standard (Grade 3) may be offered Music Exhibitions, but this is dependent upon the requirements of the department from year to year and is at the discretion of the Director of Music.

What can I expect as a Music Scholar?

• You will make a significant contribution to co-curricular music activities as a valued member of large ensembles such as orchestras, bands and choirs
• You will also be a member of other groups appropriate to your age and instrumental specialities, including smaller ensembles and chamber choirs
• You will have opportunities to work with professional accompanists and receive professional chamber ensemble coaching
• You will have opportunities to perform as a soloist in school assemblies, chamber concerts and the House Music Festival
• You will support and encourage others by being a Music Mentor within the department
• You will be an ambassador for music within the school community and beyond

How to apply

Stage 1

Candidates can apply to our music scholarship at two entry points; 11+ and 16+.

For 11+ entry, candidates should complete the online application form providing the additional information requested, by Friday 17 November 2023.

For 16+ entry, candidates should complete the online application form providing the additional information requested, by the Monday 23 October 2023.

Although not compulsory, a reference from the candidate’s music teacher can be attached for both entry points.

Stage 2

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to audition and will be expected to undertake the following:

• A performance of one piece on each of the instruments(or voice) offered for approximately five mins each.
• A performance of a short, unaccompanied song of the candidate’s choice
• A sight-reading exercise
• Aural exercises
• A discussion of the candidate’s contribution to music-making both in school and outside of school

What is the value of a Music Scholarship?

Scholarships will usually be awarded at a rate of between 25-50% of school fees. Awards and Exhibitions will be offered at a lower rate, which could, for example, be commensurate with the annual cost of music lessons (c. £750).

All types of Music Scholarship may be awarded in conjunction with a Bursary or other Scholarship. Scholarships are held for the duration of a student’s time at the School, subject to sustained levels of performance and co-curricular participation.

The Art department

All creative minds are cherished within the Art department. We provide every student with the opportunity to explore, experiment and expand their imagination using a wide array of media and resources.

The Art department is housed in large, bright, and airy buildings and includes:

• 3D sculpture equipment including ceramics and plaster.
• Traditional drawing and painting resources including oil paints.
• Digital photography and photo editing software.
• Textiles including sewing machines and screen printing.
• CAD software including Photoshop & Illustrator.
• Digital drawing equipment including Apple Pencils.

We have specialist teachers in sculpture, ceramics, textiles, painting, drawing, photography, and animation. We offer the Art, Craft & Design GCSE and an A Level specification which allows for each student’s individuality and strengths to flourish.

Students in every year group benefit from our fabulous annual artist-in-residence programme, which sees established artists running workshops, after school talks and individual tutorial sessions. Each visiting artist brings to the school their individual working methods, techniques, inspiration, and media preferences. Students are also able to take part in our extensive range of lunchtime and after school art clubs including life drawing, clay club, craft club, and digital drawing club.

Regular trips to art galleries and museums are an important experience for all students. Residential art trips, which include a varied programme of gallery visits, workshops and working with local artists are regularly planned for GCSE and A Level groups. One of the Art Department’s highlights each year is the formal Art Exhibition which features work from all our GCSE and A Level students.

What are we looking for in a Habs Art Scholar?

For entry at 11+ candidates should be an enthusiastic and passionate art student who regularly makes and views artwork outside of school. Regularly visiting and engaging with art galleries, museums, and exhibitions to develop their understanding of historical and modern art history. Candidates need to show an exceptional ability in not just traditional observational drawing skills but also demonstrate confidence and flair when using different media and techniques. We are looking for students who relish new challenges and thrive when trying new things.

How to apply

Stage 1

Candidates will digitally submit five favourite pieces of artwork that demonstrate a range of media, subject matter and the formal elements via the online form by Friday 17 November 2023.

A candidate’s digital portfolio should demonstrate:

• A genuine love of what they are doing
• A range of work which shows a variety of skill
• Sketches and/or sketchbooks which show a thought process
• A range of work which can be from: school and/or art classes but, most importantly, work compiled independently.

A portfolio may contain some or all of the following:

• Observational drawings
• Painting
• Collage
• Sketches
• Sketchbooks
• Sculpture
• Photography
• Film/animation
• Illustrated books/poems
• Textiles / sewing

Please note that we would not recommend Manga-style or cartoon character drawings in a portfolio.

Stage 2

Selected candidates who have been shortlisted will be invited for an art interview in December. We would like candidates to bring in their physical portfolio containing their five digital submissions along with two other unseen pieces (these could be works in progress). The work should be clearly presented and can contain 3D pieces.

The interview will be made up of two parts. A one-to-one interview with the Head of Art where the candidate will be asked to talk through their physical portfolio explaining the experiences behind each piece of artwork. Secondly, a group task where all art scholar candidates will have the opportunity to respond creatively to a visual stimulus.

What is the value of an Art Scholarship?

Scholarships will be awarded at a rate of 10% of school fees. Art Scholarships may be awarded in conjunction with a Bursary or other Scholarship. Scholarships are held for the duration of a student’s time at the School, subject to sustained levels of performance and participation.

The English department

The English department runs their own co-curricular reading programme, the Critical Reader Award, which encourages students to read a wide variety of texts. The department also offers a variety of co-curricular clubs and competitions. This includes House competitions such as the House Poetry Competition as well as one-off events throughout the year, such as World Book Day and National Poetry Day. Students in Lower 4 and Upper 4 (Years 7 and 8) take part every year in the Edna Judd Poetry Recital competition and in the national Poetry by Heart competition from Lower 5 (Year 9) upwards.

During the summer holiday, students are encouraged to take part in the Novel Writing competition, for which they write the first ten pages of a Young Adult novel; this competition is judged by a literary agent and students share extracts from their novels in a celebration evening.

Every year the department arranges a writer-in-residence who works with classes and with individual students, offering advice and guidance on their writing. Together with the Library, the department regularly arranges author visits.

What are we looking for in a Creative Writing Scholar?

Scholarships will be awarded to candidates who show exceptional potential as writers, demonstrating the capacity to write with originality and imagination. They will act as ambassadors for English among their peers and will hone their skills by taking part in writing opportunities throughout the school year. These will include:

• The opportunity to contribute to the school magazine and creative writing club.
• Workshops with the annual writer-in-residence.
• Participating in the Novel Writing and House Poetry competitions.
• Guidance and mentoring with entries for national creative writing competitions.
• The opportunity to undertake an Arvon writing course later in their writing career.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Thoughtful and precise use of language.
• A willingness to experiment creatively.
• The ability to write in a clear and strong voice.
• Assured technical ability in the use of punctuation and grammar.

How to apply

Stage 1

Candidates should submit a digital portfolio with three pieces of creative writing.  Each piece should be no longer than 750 words. The writing can be of a diverse range of genres (short story, poetry, article, etc).

Candidates should also submit a supporting commentary of no more than 500 words, explaining creative choices in terms of plot, character, language, structure and form etc.

Candidates should complete the online application form providing the additional information requested, by the Friday 17 November 2023.

Stage 2

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to undertake a short writing task and have an interview with the Head of English in December.

What is the value of a Creative Writing Scholarship?

Scholarships will be awarded at a rate of 10% of school fees. Creative Writing Scholarships may be awarded in conjunction with a Bursary or other Scholarship. Scholarships are held for the duration of a student’s time at the School, subject to sustained levels of performance and participation.

The Drama department

Drama at Habs is lively and inclusive, both in terms of the curricular and co-curricular opportunities.  We strive for the highest possible standards with public performance and examination work and encourage as many students as possible to take part in the activities on offer.

Habs has two Drama Studios, one of which is a purpose-built, black-box studio used for teaching and examination shows. We also have a designated Performance Space with tiered auditorium seating and high-quality lighting and sound equipment, which is managed and operated by our in-house Drama Technician. Typically, the department offers a wide range of performance opportunities, which involve taking part in local festivals, being part of the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival, mounting at least two large-scale productions, a Dance and Drama Showcase, as well as a summer show for the entire of the Lower Four (Year 7).

Taking part in drama productions is a good way to gather experience for the Arts Award qualifications that we offer and as part of the enrichment opportunities. This award presents opportunities for students to develop skills as assistant directors, technicians, designers and as part of the crew in addition to acting.

What are we looking for in a Habs Drama Scholar?

Drama Scholarships are offered to candidates who show exceptional potential as theatre practitioners displayed through a range of performance skills and experience. Our Drama scholars are ambassadors for the subject and our school, and we expect an aptitude and engagement in both the performance and creation of work. Scholars will display an enthusiasm for all aspects of theatre and a willingness to commit and participate in Drama activities offered through the department both in and outside of lesson.

We would expect Drama Scholars to display the following:

• Genuine interest and a high level of skill in Drama
• Curiosity and willingness to play
• Generosity towards other performers
• Ambition and discipline
• Ability to listen and take direction
• Ability to take risks and be courageous on stage
• Physical and vocal engagement
• Commitment and self-motivation
• Interest in all aspects of performance on and off stage
• Enthusiasm to encourage others to participate in Drama

Candidates are not expected to have gained any particular level of drama qualification but are likely to have participated in and out of school as a performer and audience member. Equally, we are looking for those with instinct and potential to develop as young performers.

What are the opportunities and expectations of a Habs Drama Scholar:

• Attend Scholars Club (weekly) and Programme of Development Sessions
• Play a key Role or Assistant Direct Middle School (KS3)/Main School Production (KS4-5)
• Participate in School’s Theatre Company
• Participate in Workshops, Talks and Trips
• Write, Direct and Perform in Lunchtime Platforms
• Perform in Junior Dance and Drama Showcase
• Audition for SFF and Festival Performances
• Assist with Lunchtime Drama Clubs
• Assist with Scholar Audition days
• Participate in New Views Playwriting Scheme (KS4)
• Pursue the subject to GCSE
• Undertake Arts Award (KS4)
• Engage with Theatre Outreach work, where possible
• Take an active role in House Drama

How to apply

Stage 1

Candidates should complete the online application form providing the additional information requested, by the Friday 17 November 2023.

Stage 2

Shortlisted candidates will be called to an audition workshop in December. There are two parts to the Drama Scholarship audition: a group workshop and a solo performance followed by a short discussion.

What is the value of a Drama Scholarship?

Scholarships will be awarded at a rate of 10% of school fees. Drama Scholarships may be awarded in conjunction with a Bursary or other Scholarship. Scholarships are held for the duration of a student’s time at the School, subject to sustained levels of performance and participation.

The PE department

We take sport seriously at Habs Girls. It plays a major part in both the curricular and co-curricular life of our students, who enjoy both team sports and individual pursuits.  We’re proud of our history and tradition of sporting provision for pupils of all abilities, from beginners to elite athletes. Our state-of-the-art facilities are all onsite including: indoor 25m swimming pool, fitness suite, sports hall, dance studio, two gyms, nine tennis/netball courts and six lacrosse pitches.

We offer an extensive range of co-curricular activities, which include both competitive teams and recreational clubs. The department runs a competitive fixtures programme, our teams compete exceptionally well at local, regional, and national level. Our students regularly achieve county and national selection in a range of sports.

What are we looking for in a Habs Sports Scholar?

Sports Scholarships are awarded to candidates in recognition of sustained sporting excellence, talent and future potential. Candidates will be active members of their school sports teams and are likely to be involved in sporting clubs outside of school with representative experience or its equivalent at county level or above.

What will the successful Habs Sports Scholar receive?

• Allocated Mentor within the PE Department.
• Mentor sessions (Termly meeting with the Director of Sport and or/Deputy Director of Sport)
• Mentor sessions (Biweekly with the School Sports Captains in the first term)
• Access to a strong regional fixture list
• High quality coaching through a combination of staffing expertise and use of external professional coaches
• Sport Psychology seminars & online training through visiting speakers once per term covering a number of topics
• Sports nutrition seminars
• Athletic Development – Biweekly Strength and Conditioning sessions from the Spring term.
• Tactical & leadership Seminars

How to apply

Stage 1

Candidates must complete an online application form attaching references from two of any of following: Sports Coach, Headteacher, Director of Sport or PE Teacher (this can be from external club/ county/national level coaches) Pupils should complete the online application form providing the additional information requested, by the Friday 17 November 2023.

Stage 2

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend trials before the end of December 2023. Students will be assessed on fitness aptitude in agility, co-ordination and speed.  We will look at fundamental skills within our major sports of netball and lacrosse. There will also be a verbal interview with the Director of Sport.

What is the value of a Sports Scholarship?

Scholarships will be awarded at a rate of 10% of school fees. Sports Scholarships may be awarded in conjunction with a Bursary or other Scholarship. Scholarships are held for the duration of a student’s time at the School, subject to sustained levels of performance and participation.