13+ Scholarships

Application deadline Wednesday 7 January 2026 by:

Scholarship Application Form
Registration Form
Most recent school academic report(s) emailed to registrar@deanclose.org.uk

A Dean Close Scholarship is both a prestigious honour and recognition of talent, potential and ability.

Our Scholarship Programme is designed to give pupils exceptional opportunity to strengthen skills and maximise their development both in their scholarship specialisms and more holistically.

Our scholars benefit from expert mentoring and a bespoke programme that includes specialist training, masterclasses, workshops and super-curricular opportunities as well as events and trips that are tailored to the development of each Scholar.

Dean Close Scholars are expected to demonstrate:

determination to make a consistent and positive impact in both their scholarship specialism and more broadly across School life
ambition to learn and determination to fulfil their potential
commitment to their scholarship specialism through consistent effort at School and independently
the skills and qualities to be a role model and inspire excellence in others
values of love, courage and contribution in order to help our community to flourish

The following Scholarships may be awarded from 5% up to 30% and a limited number of top-up means-tested bursaries are available beyond this.

Scholarships Available

Academic

Developing the skills for academic excellence, intellectual debate and high-level independent thinking

Scholars can expect:

Expert guidance from a designated Academic Tutor
Access to a full, rich programme of opportunities
Specialist masterclasses and skills-focused workshops
Inspiring guest lectures from subject experts
Enriching academic trips and visits
Engagement in super-curricular projects and independent research
Participation in national-level academic competitions
Active leadership roles within our academic societies

Journey to Success

Dean Close Scholars have gone on to achieve outstanding success at GCSE and A level and have secured university offers and scholarships in some of the world’s leading academic institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Russell Group and the Ivy League.

In 2025, five of our academic scholars achieved 100% A*/A at A level. Our top performer at GCSE in 2025 achieved 11 grade 9s.

Where have our Scholars gone?

Senior Fellow at the Jackson Institute of Global Affairs at Yale University
Influential political advisor and published author
Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur
Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary
Times columnist and influential political commentator
Barrister and recipient of major academic prizes and scholarships both at Trinity College, Cambridge and at Lincoln’s Inn
Academic scholarships at the University of Oxford and Cambridge, including first class honours with distinction
We currently have two former pupils completing doctoral research at the University of Oxford, one a D.Phil in Biology and another a D.Phil in Chemistry, Cells, and Biology in Medicine.

Music

A leading school for music with a purpose-built Music School

Scholars can expect:

Exceptional Professional-level Training to help our pupils maximise their musical development
Access to World-Class Musicians: masterclasses and workshops with nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, including our resident-string quartet Carducci Quartet, as well as Alexander L’Estrange, James Gilchrist, Clare Hammond and Greg Abate
Outstanding Performance Programme: including more than 40+ performances each year, from intimate recitals to major concerts and international tours
Diverse Performance Opportunities: a wide range of genres and styles from choral and orchestral to acoustic nights, jazz sessions, RocSoc events, and our popular house singing competition House Shout

Journey to Success

Our Music Scholars have achieved excellence in solo performance including winning national competitions such as BBC Chorister of the Year and final rounds of Pro Corda Chamber Music Competition.

In 2025, our Music Scholars achieved 100% A*/A at A level. From Dean Close, our Choral Scholars have secured prestigious Music Scholarships to some of the world’s leading conservatoires and universities.

Where have our Scholars gone?

published composer and renowned organist and choral director
Award-winning academic and Organ Scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge
Professional singers in the world’s leading ensembles such as The Sixteen
Soloist at the 2025 BBC Proms and on stage at L’Opera in Paris
Prize-winning pianist at the Ferrier Awards

The Process

Applicants are typically expected to be at approximately Grade 4-5 level in at least one instrument, with the potential to reach Grade 8 by Sixth Form.

Audition involving two contrasting pieces
Ensemble and Coaching session, sightreading, aural and general musicianship

Choral

One the country’s leading schools for Choral Music.

Scholars can expect:

an exciting programme of high-profile events, concerts, services and BBC broadcasts
regular performances in the school Chapel and other major venues such as Tewkesbury Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral, overseas tours.
mentoring and professional musical training
masterclasses and workshops led by inspirational professional musicians
collaborations with some of the country's leading soloists, conductors and ensembles
outstanding facilities such as recital hall, suite of practice rooms, harpsichord and Steinway piano, 250-seat Centenary Hall, 550-seat Bacon Theatre
an expert team including the Director of Music, Director of Choral Music and Organist, Organ Scholar, resident Carducci Quartet
opportunities to enter national-level competitions, including BBC Chorister of the Year, which has previously been won by Dean Close choristers

Journey to Success

Our Choral Scholars have secured Vocal Scholarships in some of the world’s leading conservatoires such as the Royal College of Music (London) and some of the country’s most prestigious Cathedral, University and Oxbridge Organ and Choral Scholarships. Several have become published composers.

Where have our Scholars gone?

Julie Cooper and Emma Brain Gabbott, professional singers in The Sixteen;
Salim Jaffar and Stephen Whitford, both Choral Scholars of King’s College Cambridge and now City Economist and award-winning baritone respectively;
Laurence Kilsby, soloist at the 2025 BBC Proms and at Paris L’Opera.
Previous winners of the Girling Organ Scholarship include Jason Richards, who played for the Royal occasions.
Erin Hughes, finalist in BBC Chorister of the Year and now professional singer-songwriter

Drama

One of the finest Drama Departments in the South West

Scholars can expect:

an exciting programme of fully staged performances in outstanding professional-standard venues, including:
- 550-seater Bacon Theatre with green room and orchestra pit
- 250-seater Centenary Hall
- Drama Studio
- 350-seater Tuckwell Outdoor Amphitheatre
to be part of an inspirational and engaging programme of staged productions throughout the year, with 2025 highlights including:
- Legally Blonde
- A Streetcar Named Desire
- A student-directed production of Six.
performance opportunities in venues from London to the Edinburgh Fringe
mentoring and professional-level training tailored to each scholar’s development
masterclasses and workshops including acting, directing and screenwriting
attend performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)
to develop the skills needed to flourish in acting, theatre and the performing arts

Journey to Success

Drama Scholars have secured places at some of the country’s leading drama schools such as RADA, LAMDA, Central School of Speech and Drama, Mountview and Rose Bruford, and have entered professional careers in the Performing Arts.

Where have our Scholars gone?

John Foster, BAFTA and Emmy-winning screenwriter
Gabby Sills, award-winning Producer and Director of the leading West End Production Company Gabriellia Sills Productions
Actor, Will Merrick, performance credits include Barbie, Formula One and Doctor Who

The Process

Perform two speeches from a provided list, one from Shakespeare and one from a play by a major 20^th or 21^st century playwright (from memory where possible)
Performance of an unseen passage
Discussion of your involvement in theatre productions
Interview

Art

Our high performing Art Department is a hive of artistic creativity and inspiration.

Scholars can expect:

Work in a purpose-built Art School featuring:
- Dedicated 2D and 3D studios
- A photography studio
- The renowned BonBernard Art Gallery, exhibiting work by Scholars and professional artists
Masterclasses and workshops across a wide range of media and techniques including:
- Fine art
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Abstract and experimental approaches
to develop a personal creative journey, with every piece reflecting their individual artistic voice
confidence and skills to excel in independent super-curricular projects and enjoy success in national-level competitions
art tours, with recent destinations including London, Venice, Florence and New York

Journey to Success

Achieving outstanding success at GCSE and A level, our Art Scholars have obtained university offers from some of the UK’s leading Art Schools and exceptional success in professional careers.

In 2025, our Art Scholars achieved 100% A*/A at A level and 91% Grade 9 at GCSE.

Where have our Scholars gone?

Successful professional abstract and portrait artists who have exhibited internationally
Atelier and Sample Manager featured in the latest Netflix Victoria Beckham documentary
Architects leading on national level projects

Sport

Celebrating national level achievement in Hockey, Rugby, Cricket, Netball, Tennis & Equestrian.

Scholars can expect:

Training in outstanding facilities including:
- sports hall with indoor nets
- hi-tech fitness suite and dance/exercise studio
- state-of-the-art outdoor cricket facilities
- two high-spec floodlit astroturf pitches
- 25m indoor swimming pool
- extensive grounds and pitches
- climbing wall

professional-level training within each discipline designed to support high performance in their chosen sport
specialist mentoring tailored to each scholar’s development and sporting pathway
a bespoke strength and conditioning programme to enhance power, speed, agility and overall fitness
expert guidance to improve technique, personal performance and skill acquisition
nutrition, injury prevention and lifestyle management to support long-term athletic success
collaboration with national-level programmes enabling scholars to excel both within school and on the national stage

Where have our Scholars gone?

Several of our current Scholars and recent alumni compete at international level and have secured professional contracts in leading club sides. For example:

Olympian and Team GB Hockey player Ben Marsden
International hockey players Jess Thomas, Jacob Payton, Elliot Robson, Alex Chihota, Elliot Bancroft and Caitlin Thompson
International rugby players Tom Johnson, Tom Pearson and Freddie Thomas
International cricketer Dani Gibson
England Netballer Flo Edwards
International Show jumper Jasmine Head

The Process

Applications are made through the submission of a brief sports CV that must indicate all round sporting ability and commitment at school level with at least one achievement at or above county level or equivalent.

A reference from a relevant coach at school, county or club level, should be sent to registrar@Deanclose.org.uk

On the Scholarships Assessment Day:

Specialist Sports Assessment including mixed skills testing and performance.
Conditioning assessment focussing on fundamental athleticism such as agility, speed and power.
Interview.

Product Design Technology

Up-skilling our engineers of the future

Scholars can expect:

to learn a broad range of skills across design, engineering and creative problem-solving
a wide variety of materials, traditional tools and modern manufacturing techniques
state-of-the-art equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters and industry-standard CAD software
experience in a workshop with exceptional facilities that mirror hi-tech, modern manufacturing environments
specialist mentoring to support technical and creative development
masterclasses and workshops led by experts and practising designers
independent super-curricular projects to explore personal interests and innovation
national-level competitions to showcase their ideas and design capabilities

Journey to Success

We have a strong record in securing prestigious awards including the Arkwright Scholarship. Several Scholars have gone to study subjects ranging from engineering to architecture at top rank universities including Russell Group, Oxford and Cambridge.

Where have our Scholars gone?

Chief Engineer at Aston Martin F1 Evolution
a key architect in the design of the prestigious Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong
Engineer in one of the world’s leading engineering and science tech firms
Engineer in one of the UK’s leading suppliers of aviation
Engineer working for one of the world’s largest railway infrastructure providers
Software entrepreneur with several other ODs
Designers at major international domestic design firms

The Process

Applicants will be required to do the following:

Portfolio Presentation
Design Assessment (details available six weeks ahead of the process)
Interview

Colin Cox - Leadership and Service

The Colin Cox Award is awarded for exemplary Leadership and Service.

The Colin Cox Award for Leadership and Service: pupils applying for this award are asked to send a short summary as one to two paragraphs to demonstrate evidence of their service and leadership and suitability for this scholarship. Our admissions team will seek a reference from their Head (or you may nominate a suitable equivalent).