St Edmund's
Drama Scholarship | Year 12 | 16+
With its excellent pupil to staff ratio, St Edmund’s School can guarantee its Scholars the personal and professional attention that their talents deserve.
The highly prized title of ‘Scholar’ exemplifies pupils who contribute to the whole of school life but will take advantage of the many extension opportunities to develop their academic abilities. Our specialist, dedicated teachers nurture this enthusiasm, inspiring pupils to reach greater heights.
St Edmund’s School has an enviable reputation for its Drama and is proud of its 400-seat theatre with one of the largest school stages in the South East. The Director of Drama worked as a professional actor and director for over 25 years, and his Deputy spent 15 years at the Royal Academic of Dramatic Arts working with professional actors. This experience has proved invaluable when teaching in the classroom or directing the many ground breaking productions that have come to characterise Drama at St Edmund’s.
In recent years, these have included A Chorus Line, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Animal Farm, Time and the Conways, a whole school production of Oliver, and the groundbreaking Chicago.
A-level Drama combines performance with the academic study of drama and theatre, and aims to develop the artistic and technical knowledge of our pupils. Practical work at all exam levels is of the highest standard, with the majority of pupils achieving full marks for performance.
There are many opportunities to see professional productions, locally and in London’s West End, as well as annual trips abroad. The Department visits New York and LA to see Broadway productions and to partake in workshops with cast members.
KEY DATES
Assessments will take place on Saturday 8 March 2025.
Closing date for entries: Friday 10 January 2025
REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR APPLICATION
Awards are open to candidates entering Junior School at 11+ (Year 7), or Senior School at 13+ (Year 9) or 16+ (Year 12). External candidates will be expected to sit the appropriate academic entry tests.
The auditions and interviews will take place on Saturday 8 March 2025 for 16+.
The Head Teacher of the candidate’s present school will be asked to provide a report on the candidate’s general progress and academic ability, as well as dramatic ability. Candidates must supply their dramatic curriculum vitae with their application.
The Scholarship audition will be in three parts:
a. Prepared monologue (maximum 2 minutes) of the candidate’s own choice.
b. Theatre workshop.
c. Interviews with the Head or a member of the Senior Leadership Team and the Director of Drama.
Singing and Dance may be offered as additional components of the audition.
Entries should be submitted by Friday 10 January 2025. Late entries may not be accepted.
A timetable for the examination will be issued to all candidates.
SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA
| Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|
| Candidates must be able to demonstrate exceptional performance ability. This includes skillful interpretation of their monologue and a good grasp of theatrical technique- vocal and physicality. | The candidates drama CV demonstrates a history of commitment to drama and evidence of performing regularly. |
| Candidates should also demonstrate excellent spontaneous ability for improvisation and devising activities | The ability to offer singing or dance in addition to acting as a discipline. |
| Candidates at 13+ and 16+ must be able to demonstrate exceptional performance ability. This includes skillful interpretation of their monologue and a good grasp of theatrical technique- vocal and physicality. | The ability to demonstrate directional skills when working on text and devising. |
| Candidates must also demonstrate excellent spontaneous ability for improvisation and devising activities. | Participation in outside productions such as National Youth Theatre. |
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Complete the online Registration form.
- Complete and submit the Drama Scholarship form and upload any relevant reports and documents.
Awards of varying value, offset against the tuition fees for both day and boarding pupils, are awarded in the categories of Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport. Where fees are still prohibitively expensive, annually means-tested bursaries can be awarded to supplement a scholarship.
