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We offer scholarships and bursaries to a wide variety of students across the senior school allowing access to a first class education.

Although the below are our standard points of entry, applications are welcome at any time. Places are, however, subject to availability. Please contact us for more information.

Entrance and Scholarship Examinations

7+ Means Tested Scholarship

On the 7+ Scholarship Day all applicants spend the day in our Prep Department experiencing life here at the High School. Throughout the course of the day the pupils will complete an English paper and a verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning paper. No extra preparation is necessary.

11+ Entrance and Scholarships

External applicants, along with pupils from the Prep Department, will spend the day in our Senior Department to get a flavour of life in Year 7 at Durham High School. Pupils complete two papers: an English paper consisting of a short, imaginative writing piece on a given theme; and a verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning paper. No extra preparation is necessary.

13+ Entrance and Scholarships

Pupils will join their own year group for the day to experience some lessons and find out what life is like in Senior Department. Pupils complete two papers: an English paper consisting of a short, imaginative writing piece on a given theme; and a verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning paper. No extra preparation is necessary.

16+ Entrance and Scholarships

Pupils in Year 11 wishing to join the Sixth Form will spend the day in school when they will have the opportunity to find out what life is like at Durham High from current students, including those who also joined us at this point. Pupils complete two papers: an English paper and a verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning paper. No extra preparation is necessary.

Scholarships and Bursaries at 11+ and 13+

Governors’ Scholarship

One Governors’ Scholarship gives an entirely free place for seven years to an able pupil joining Year 7 whose parents could not otherwise afford tuition fees.

Academic Scholarships

Academic Scholarships are awarded to those who perform best in the Entrance Examination. These are awarded for 7 years (11+) or 5 years (13+) and may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors' Bursary, up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission.

Music Scholarships

At 11+ applicants should be Grade 3 standard, or higher, on at least one instrument or voice. At 13+ they should be Grade 5 standard, or higher. Auditions take place after the day of the Entrance Examination. Music Scholarships may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors' Bursary up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission.

Performing Arts and Drama Scholarships

These Scholarships are offered to suitable 11+ and 13+ applicants who should have substantial performing experience. Auditions take place shortly after the day of the Entrance Examination. The awards may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors' Bursary, up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission.

Sports Scholarships

Sports Scholarships are awarded through evaluation of sporting performance. Applicants should be competing to a high standard both in and outside of school. Physical ability, enthusiasm, leadership, teamwork skills and potential are taken into consideration. Assessments take place after the day of the Entrance Examination. The awards may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors' Bursary, up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission.

Governors' Bursaries

Governors' Bursaries are worth up to 50% of the current fees per annum. These are means tested and awarded to parents of those who are normally in the top half of the ability range but cannot afford full fees. Bursaries are reviewed annually.

Barbara Priestman Scholarship

The Barbara Priestman Scholarship is awarded at 11+ from the Sir John Priestman Charitable Trust. This scholarship is intended for daughters of practising Christians of any denomination. Candidates sit a Religious Studies test shortly after the Entrance Examination. The award may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors' Bursary up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission.

Clerical Bursaries

Children of clergy receive an automatic 10% fee remission per annum which may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors' Bursary up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission.

Sixth Form Scholarships and Bursaries

Governors' Scholarships

Governors' Scholarships of up to 100% of the fees are awarded for two years to very able students joining the Sixth Form whose parents could not otherwise pay the tuition fees. Based on a performance in the entrance tests, the Scholarships are means-tested and include a Bursary.

Academic Scholarships and Governors' Academic Scholarships

Academic Scholarships are awarded to external candidates on the basis of the Sixth Form Scholarship Examinations. Governors' Academic Scholarships are awarded to existing students on the basis of their GCSE examinations. These scholarships are awarded for two years and may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors’ Bursary up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission per annum.

Music Scholarships

Music Scholarships are available to suitable internal and external Sixth Form applicants. Students should be Grade 6 standard, or higher, in at least one instrument or voice. These scholarships are awarded for two years and may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors’ Bursary up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission per annum.

Drama, Performing Arts, Art and Sport Scholarships

These scholarships are available to internal and external applicants with talent and experience in these areas. They are awarded for two years and may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors’ Bursary up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission per annum.

Governors’ Bursaries

A number of Governors’ Bursaries, usually worth up to 50% of the current fees, are available. These are means tested and awarded to parents of girls who meet our entry criteria but cannot afford full fees. Bursaries are reviewed annually.

Clerical Bursaries

Children of clergy receive an automatic 10% fee remission per annum which may be supplemented in appropriate cases by a Governors’ Bursary up to a usual maximum of 50% fee remission.

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