Sport Scholarship

SCHS Sports Scholars are invited to participate in all sporting events and opportunities, which include:

• Regular matches and tournaments across various sports

• GDST-wide annual rallies

• Umpiring and coaching opportunities

• Sports Honours Awards

• Participation in a strength and conditioning programme with our Head of Rowing

• Attendance at the GDST Sports Scholars Day

We nurture their sporting talent and provide unique, door-opening opportunities. Our scholars serve as role models, inspiring and encouraging others within the school and the wider community through leading inter-house competitions and hosting clubs and special assemblies.

We welcome applications from girls participating in core sports such as netball, hockey, rowing, gymnastics and athletics. Other sports may also be considered, provided the pupil competes at County level or above.

Sports Scholar responsibilities include:

• Attend compulsory sessions and bespoke specialist events as arranged

• Represent the school in sporting events, both internally and externally (including GDST events)

• Make constructive use of the sporting skills developed

• Actively engage in fixtures, training, and House sports, prioritising these over external activities unless there is a scheduling conflict due to selection for representative teams at County level or above

Sport facilities include:

• Outdoor all-weather pitch

• Sports hall

• Netball and tennis courts

• Dance studio

• Gym

• Access to Thames boathouse

• Sports Pavilion

Candidates must submit:

• A reference from a sports club supporting the application

• A reference from their school’s sports department confirming the applicant’s performance at School, Club, County, or Regional level over the last two years

• A personal statement of no more than 300 words, including:
  • A list of teams represented
  • A list of representational honours
  • Any other relevant information, including times and distances (provided on the application form or as a separate document)

Gymnasts should prepare a short routine (no longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds) and may send music in advance to admissions@schs.gdst.net. Music can also be played via a personal device using Bluetooth or an aux cord. Please wear a leotard under your sports kit.

Applicants must demonstrate significant strength at County level (or equivalent) or above in at least one of the sports offered at Streatham & Clapham High School. Criteria for the Sports Scholarship at 16+ include:

• A high level of representation (at least County level or higher) in a major sport offered at SCHS: hockey, football, cricket, rowing, netball, athletics or cross-country

• Proven leadership qualities

• An excellent record of commitment and sportsmanship

Candidates should not be discouraged if their sport isn’t on the list; we consider applications from candidates demonstrating exceptional talent in other sports.

Candidates must submit:

• A reference from a sports club and their school’s sports department confirming that they are performing at a County or National competition level

• A personal statement of no more than 300 words written by the applicant (included in the application form or attached as a separate document)

• A video playing in a match in their chosen sport, or a performance (i.e. dance / gymnastics)

Selected candidates will be invited to an assessment day to demonstrate their leadership skills by delivering a coaching session to a small group of Year 7 students in their chosen sport.

Sports scholarships are awarded based on performance during the assessment day, including video submissions, a short interview with the Director of Sport, and consideration of supporting references, current sporting performance, and the application form.

Candidates must have prior experience playing sport at a high level both at their current school and outside of school. Successful candidates should be committed to playing for school teams in our performance core sports during their time at SCHS, excelling in at least one of these sports and contributing significantly.

Sports scholarship candidates will be invited to a sports assessment on Wednesday 20 November 2024.

Successful candidates will proceed to a second assessment and interview on Wednesday 15 January 2025.

Those that compete in gymnasts should prepare a short routine (no longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds) and may send music in advance to admissions@schs.gdst.net. This is not a requirement for all applicants. Music can also be played via a personal device using Bluetooth or an aux cord. Please wear a leotard under your sports kit.

The deadline for specialist scholarship applications is Thursday 31 October 2024.