Scholarships and Bursaries

All candidates registered by the deadline will sit the School's own Entrance Assessments, which consists of the following sections - English (1 hour), Maths (1 hour), Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning (30 mins). These assessments are designed to double as a straightforward entrance assessment and, for the more able girls, as an Academic Scholarship examination. Assessments for 2025 entry will take place on 12th & 13th November 2024. Pupils will also have a short interview with our Headmistress, Mrs Deborah Bligh, and Head of Lower School, Mrs Claire Baker. For guidance purposes, prospective Academic Scholars will be working at Level 5 or above in the National Curriculum.  

All candidates taking this route will sit the School’s own Assessments in English, Maths, Science and Reasoning. Candidates seeking an Academic Scholarship will take Scholarship papers in English, Maths, Science, one language paper (from a choice of French, Spanish and Latin) and one humanities paper (from a choice of History, Geography and Religious Studies), as well as a Reasoning assessment. Academic Scholarship Assessments for 2025 entry will take place on 14th & 15th November 2024.

For guidance purposes, prospective Academic Scholars will be working at Level 7 or above in the National Curriculum. All candidates will also have an informal meeting with our Headmistress, Mrs Deborah Bligh, and our Head of Middle School, Mrs Jodi Stone.  This provides an opportunity for us to find out more about your daughter’s particular interests.  

All candidates for entry into Year 12 will complete Mayfield’s own Sixth Form Entrance Assessments. Candidates will be asked to complete 3 x 45 minute papers which will consist of a General Paper, designed to test the student's ability to think critically, logically and creatively and write coherently; followed by 2 subject papers from a choice of the following A level subjects: Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, French, Geography, German, History, Latin and Greek (1 paper covering both - pupils can choose to do one or the other, or both sections), Physics, Religious Studies and Spanish. Assessments for 2025 entry will take place on 9th November 2024. The offer of a place at Mayfield will be determined by a student’s performance in these assessments, recent school reports and the reference from their current Headteacher, together with the impact they make at interview with our Head of Sixth Form, Mr John Doy, and Deputy Head Academic, Mrs Annabel Bunce. 

Sixth Form Academic Scholarship awards are determined by a candidate’s performance in the Sixth Form Academic Scholarship Assessments from the papers outlined above, the impact they make at interview, the strength of their predicted GCSE/equivalent grades (where appropriate), together with supporting information including reference(s) provided by her current school. Candidates who are not offered an Academic Scholarship but who achieve an acceptable standard in the Scholarship assessments will be offered a Sixth Form place.   

Candidates attending the assessment day will be required to present a portfolio of work, including, where appropriate, three-dimensional pieces. They will be asked to complete a still-life composition within 1.5 hours (1 hour 15 minutes for Year 7 candidates) and will also be invited to discuss their portfolios with the Head of Art and/or the Head of Ceramics. Candidates of scholarship calibre will be able to demonstrate a natural ability to observe, an outstanding sense of creativity, excellent colour sense, a questioning mind and an eagerness to experiment with different media. 

This is offered at Year 12 entry only. Candidates should be Grade VII standard and have a Theory qualification of Grade V or equivalent.  Candidates will be required to play two contrasting pieces and will, additionally, be assessed in sight reading (with pedals) and transposition (manual) tests.  There will also be a written theory paper and an interview with the Director of Music. Organ Scholars will be expected to study Music at A Level and intend to read Music at university and apply for a music award, but other degree subjects may be eligible.  They will assist the Director of Music at Liturgies and School Masses (including weekend duties) and play for, and conduct, at these Services as required.  Organ Scholars will be given direction and support in choral conducting and should take a leading role in conducting School choirs and music groups, as appropriate.  They will also be encouraged to lead and direct informal musical groups and consorts.  In addition, every Organ Scholar will be a member of Schola Cantorum and, where appropriate, will accompany the choir on cathedral and overseas visits.  There will be an expectation that Organ Scholars will attend Mass and Evensong at cathedrals and churches of note and keep a diary of the repertoire covered. 

Candidates will be required to perform two solo pieces demonstrating different genres of music and choreography. To conclude they will participate in a discussion about their dance performance to date and their dance-related interests. Candidates of scholarship calibre will demonstrate a high level of talent and potential as well as determination, enthusiasm and future commitment to Mayfield School’s Dance Programme.

Candidates attending the assessment day will be asked to join in a 45 minute practical workshop. Following the workshop the candidates will be asked to perform one monologue from a prescribed list. They will also be asked to perform a further piece of text provided by the School on the day. To conclude they will be expected to discuss their theatrical interests. Candidates of scholarship calibre will be able to demonstrate outstanding dramatic potential and commitment. 

Candidates for a Music Scholarship should ideally be able to play two instruments (or sing) and have gained or be working towards Grade IV (11+), VI (13+) or VII (16+) Associated Board on at least one of them. Candidates attending the assessment day will be required to audition: they will be asked to play two contrasting pieces on their first instrument (or sing two contrasting pieces) and, time-permitting, one piece on their second instrument. They may also be asked to take part in a discussion about their musical interests. Candidates of scholarship calibre will be able to demonstrate outstanding musical development and potential. 

Our major sports are athletics, hockey, netball, cricket, swimming, tennis, riding and dance.  Equestrian and Dance Scholarships are awarded in addition to Sports Scholarships – candidates applying for a Sports Scholarship may offer riding and dance as one of their chosen sports but must also offer another of the School’s major sports. Following an athletics-based warm-up to include fitness testing and games understanding, candidates will be required to demonstrate their key skills and competence in any of our major sports.  They will also be invited to take part in a discussion of their sporting interests within a group interview.  Candidates of scholarship calibre will demonstrate a high level of talent and potential skill in at least one sport or physical activity as well as determination and enthusiasm. For Year 9 and 12 successful candidates should be competing for a local club, or their county, or be a member of a development squad in their primary sport.  They will be required to represent Mayfield in at least two main sports on a regular basis.  

To be considered for a Riding Scholarship, candidates must have a proven track record of jumping 75cm or above (Year 7), 90cm or above (Year 9) and 1 metre or above (Year 12).  Candidates will be asked to present a short 2-3 minute display showing dressage movements on the flat in a 20 x 40 metre sand school. They will then be assessed over jumps of the appropriate height. Candidates will attend an interview with our Director of Riding, Mrs Jill Baker to discuss their equestrian experience.  Candidates are invited to bring photographs, video or a portfolio to interview.  Potential Scholars will demonstrate an outstanding level of skill, a proven commitment to training and competing and to contributing to the Equestrian activities at Mayfield.

To commemorate the Holy Door in the Year of Mercy, Mayfield School has introduced a Jubilee Scholarship (Year 7 entry only).  In common with other scholarships, this is merit-based, with the recipient earning the scholarship on the basis of demonstrable academic potential.  It is awarded annually to a practising Catholic girl from a Primary School in the Arundel and Brighton Diocese.  Candidates are expected to support their application with a recommendation from their Priest and Headteacher, and the Diocesan Education Officer will form part of the scholarship interview programme.  The recipient of the Award will receive a 20% discount on the school fees.