You will be welcome, at any time, to ring Mrs. Hawley, or to book an appointment to talk to the Headmaster, Mr. Philip Capes. The Bursar, Mr. Gordon Stokes, is also available if you require any financial advice.
The Entrance/Scholarship Examinations and Interviews are normally held in early February. Music Scholarship auditions may also be taken. All children in St. Bees Prep are given plenty of preparation for the Senior School Entrance Exams. This includes lessons in exam technique, verbal and non verbal reasoning, Maths, Essay Writing and Comprehension. In the past all children from the Prep. Department have passed the test, and we have had a very good success rate with Scholarships. The School does not issue copies of past examination papers, but all Prep children will be given a brief sample question sheet to bring home which will outline to parents the sort of questions the children will be asked.
The academic criteria necessary for the offer of a Senior School place are:
a) a mark on the entrance papers that shows the candidate will be able to engage positively with the academic curriculum offered by St. Bees.
b) a positive recommendation from the Lead Teacher of the Prep. Department.
c) a satisfactory interview by an experienced and senior member of the academic staff.
Scholarships and Bursaries
In the Senior School approximately five academic scholarships are awarded each year and offer a fixed fee reduction for the remaining time the pupil is at St. Bees. Scholarships may be increased by a means-tested bursary up to the value of the full tuition fee and where appropriate a proportion of the boarding fee.
Music Scholarships and Exhibitions. There are also Music Scholarships and Exhibitions based on an applicant’s musical ability. All candidates for these awards are expected to be playing two instruments at Associated Board Grade 3 or above standard. A Music Exhibition will offer free individual tuition at St. Bees on one or two instruments.
The parents of each applicant are informed in writing within seven days of sitting the entrance papers whether a place is being offered or not.