Awards Available to External Applicants Only

Sixth Form Entrance Scholarships

Sixth Form Entrance Scholarships are available to exceptional students applying to join Shrewsbury’s A Level programme (Year 12). Such scholarship applications are presented to the school’s Executive Board to agree a tuition fee remission appropriate for each case which is then reviewed after a year.

Applicants must be outstanding individuals who show excellence and consistency in their academic endeavours, and who demonstrate an aspiration and commitment to progressing their studies at the most highly-regarded universities beyond school. 

Successful applicants will demonstrate potential and commitment to significantly enhancing the academic profile of the school, their prior achievements and expectations at the level of, or exceeding, our internal Sir Martin Rees Scholars, who typically achieve 11 or more A* grades at IGCSE.

Applicants will be required to sit an entrance test in each of the four subjects that they intend to study at A Level and participate in interviews with Senior School leaders. Awards attached to Sixth Form entrance offers may be conditional upon a student’s IGCSE exam results (or equivalent).

Awards Available to Both External and Internal Applicants

Music Scholarships (Diploma level in first instrument)

Our Music Scholars represent the very highest standards in terms of ability and commitment to the musical performance programme at Shrewsbury, and are encouraged to continue their academic study of music to at least completion of IGCSE.

Applicants must demonstrate high proficiency in their main instrument (ABRSM Diploma-standard or equivalent), genuine enthusiasm for what they do and set an excellent example both within school and in the wider community. A fee remission is attached to the Scholarship award, which the Principal will bring to the Executive Committee for consideration and approval.

Music scholarships are available to both internal and external applicants who meet the school’s standard entrance and music scholarship criteria, and who are successful in the respective assessment and audition processes. Students who are already in Year 12 or 13 cannot apply for a Music Performance Scholarship, and all potential scholars are encouraged to apply before the end of Year 10 to gain maximum developmental benefit from the programme.

Applications are required before the end of Term 1 of each academic year, allowing for suitable preparation, development, and consultation with the appropriate instrumental Head of Study. The final scholarship audition will normally take place in Term 3, with successful scholars then entering the scholarship programme at the start of the following academic year.

External applicants who are interested in entering the school as a music scholar should understand the above criteria and timelines, and make all necessary enquiries and preparations to allow them to join both the school application and music scholarship application processes in Term 1 of the academic year prior to entry (or earlier). They should submit school reports, recent recordings, grade certificates and a brief summary of their performance/competition history with their initial enquiry to determine their pre-selection into the Music Scholarship application process.

Where an external applicant sits and passes their academic assessment for entry to the school before the music scholarship audition process is complete, the school will conditionally hold any offer of place until the outcome of the scholarship process (and any attached fee remission) is known. A formal offer of place will then be made, with or without a music scholarship being attached to that offer.

Performance Scholarships

The Principal may make an award of a Performance Scholarship to exceptional students with demonstrable track records of local, regional, national and international success in a particular academic or non-academic discipline (e.g. sport). The award may carry a financial value to acknowledge the exceptional financial burden of overseas tournament competitions and coaching – and a means-test may be required before any tuition fee remission is agreed. The Principal will bring all such requests to the Executive Committee for consideration and approval.

Where a Performance Scholarship is granted for achievement in a discipline that also forms part of the school’s Excellence Programmes (e.g. one of the school’s representative sports), the expectation would be for the student to be a leading representative of the school within that programme. At a suitable point, and where eligible to do so, a Performance Scholar may receive alternative recognition through via one of the other awards or scholarships offered by the School in their respective field of excellence.

It is suggested that any external applicants who wish to be considered for a Performance Scholarship provide corresponding evidence of achievement as part of their initial admissions enquiry so that the merit of proceeding with an application can be determined.

Awards Available to Current Students Only

Sir David Lees Scholarships (nominated by the school)

These Honorary Scholarships are awarded to students after they have graduated from Shrewsbury International School to reward those who achieve the very best A Level examination results, typically earning four A* grades.

Sir Martin Rees Scholarships (nominated by the school)

These are awarded to students already attending Shrewsbury International School to reward those students who achieve the very best results in GCSE and IGCSE examinations, typically achieving 11A* grades or more within Shrewsbury’s IGCSE programme. In recognition of their achievements and ongoing contribution to the academic life of the school, a level of fee remission is attached to the award that will help to support the students through their A level studies and set the standard of academic endeavour and performance within the Sixth Form programme.

Academic Scholarships (Honorary award for students progressing into Year 12, nominated by the school)

These honorary scholarships are awarded to students already attending Shrewsbury International School to reward those who achieve strong GCSE and IGCSE examinations, typically achieving between 7 and 10 A* grades within Shrewsbury’s IGCSE programme. These achievements are recognised and celebrated within the community, and award-winners encouraged to contribute to the school’s academic enrichment programme where their dedication and commitment can set an aspirational example to both their peers and younger students.

Art Scholars (Year 10 upwards – non-financial – by application)

This title award is typically honorary and carries no financial award. The role is available for students in Year 10 to Year 12 via an annual competition. Students are challenged to submit two artworks, one of which is in response to a given theme and the other a personal artwork. Original reference photographs and process photographs have to be submitted alongside a written piece for each outcome. The Artwork and written work are then judged by the Art department. Art Scholars will be asked to demonstrate both a high level of English and academic potential. In return they are given opportunities to exhibit their work, lead on the promotion of art within the school, and join workshops with visiting professional artists.

Drama Scholars (Year 11 upwards – non-financial – by application)

This title award is typically honorary and carries no financial award. Each year an open examination will be held for students in Year 11 or above in which candidates of outstanding dramatic ability will be asked to write a letter detailing what they would bring to role of a Drama Scholar, and then perform a monologue which is judged by the Drama department, after which they will be asked about their characterisation choices and rehearsal process. 

It is expected that Drama Scholars will promote the subject through their participation in Drama productions, as well other events throughout the year, this can be through a range of theatre-maker roles. They do not need to have studied at GCSE or A Level but should demonstrate a strong skill set within the audition, and passion for the subject should be clear in the post-performance interview. 

In return they are given opportunities to stage an annual Scholars’ production, support and judge student House competitions that exhibit performing skills, and participate in workshops with visiting professionals.

Team Shrewsbury (Y10 upwards at Riverside – by invitation to apply)

Team Shrewsbury, school’s elite sporting programme, is designed to provide our highest achieving athletes with opportunities to develop their talents, and provide the support they need to achieve an appropriate balance between training and competition schedules and their academic studies.

The team, which has 3 levels, is announced on an annual basis. Students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication in their chosen sporting discipline are invited to apply at a specified point in the academic year.

Fairbairn Exhibitions (by application, Year 6 only at Riverside)

The award was founded in memory of Mrs Carole Fairbairn, one of Riverside’s founding teachers who tragically lost her life in the Tsunami that struck Thailand in 2004.  The Exhibition is awarded annually to a select group of Year 6 students at Riverside who, following successful application and a multi-stage audition process, demonstrate special dedication, creative talent and flair in their studies; qualities and values that Carole Fairbairn brought to every aspect of her teaching, and which the award winners are expected to uphold throughout their life in the Senior School. All Year 6 students at Riverside receive an invitation to apply at a specified point in the academic year.