The McAuley Scholarship Programme

Named after the founder of our school, Catherine McAuley, the McAuley Scholarship programme seeks to provide opportunities for students to excel and thrive. This extensive scholarship programme underscores Our Lady’s Abingdon School’s commitment to  nurturing each student’s unique skills, through an individualised approach that helps them achieve their full potential. Providing a wide range of options, the scholarship programme provides unique opportunities for pupils who demonstrate exceptional talent and aptitude, whether in academics, sports, or the arts. The OLA motto is “Whatever you do, do it well”, and our scholarships seeks to recognise students who excel, giving them the support and guidance that will enable them to pursue their aspirations.

The Purpose of the Scholarship Programme

Because the McAuley Scholarship Programme strives to empower students to achieve their full potential, each student enrolled in the programme is assigned a personal mentor. These mentors track the students’ progress and guide them into making the most of the opportunities that are available to them. For students seeking academic scholarships, the mentor will typically be on the OLA teaching staff. The scholar and mentor will meet regularly, as the mentor provides guidance for the learning journey. For those students who show exceptional talent in sport or the arts, the guidance provided will depend on the type of scholarship. The goal of the programme is to celebrate and support students with outstanding abilities and talents, providing them with financial aid and the support they need to succeed, not only as students, but also as individuals.

Eligibility Requirements

The McAuley Scholarship Programme offers multiple scholarship categories across different school entry points, with specific eligibility criteria for each.

1. Application Timing: Scholarship applications are accepted during the Trinity term for pupils in Year 5, Year 7 (external candidates only), and Year 10, for entry into Year 7, Year 9, and the OLA 6th Form. The application deadline for entry in 2025 is as soon as possible before the assessment days in November.
2. Rigby Award: The Rigby Award provides special recognition for candidates who display exceptional skill or achievement in academics, art, drama, music, or sports. Examples of outstanding performance include academic successes, such as Grade 9 results in most GCSE subjects, academic Olympiad successes, or significant accomplishments like national-level sport. This award does not have a separate application process but is selected from the pool of scholarship applicants. Year 11 pupils with exceptional results in their GCSEs may express interest in being considered for the Rigby Scholarship.

Types of Scholarships Awarded

Academic Scholarships

Academic Scholarships are available for students who excel in their studies, with differing expectations and opportunities based on their year group:

• Years 7–9 Scholars: Academic scholars participate in seminars focused on developing better presentation, public speaking, and research skills. Under the guidance of their academic mentor, they also participate in the Young Scholar Reading Programme.
• Years 10–13 Scholars: In these older age groups, scholars undertake supervised research projects. While KS4 scholars engage in smaller projects related to their interests, OLA 6th Form scholars often participate in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) scheme.
• Leadership Roles: Older scholars have opportunities to lead, co-chairing academic societies or organising events for younger students. They can also take courses outside the school curriculum through Future Learn or other e-learning platforms as arranged by their mentor.

Academic Scholarships are awarded with specific terms. The 11+ Academic Scholarship is awarded for three or five years until GCSEs, subject to annual reviews to determine whether the students are meeting targets set by their mentors. The review also assesses whether the scholar’s performance is up to general OLA expectations, and looks at their performance in end of year examinations. For OLA 6th Form scholars, the scholarship is awarded for two years, with a review at the end of Lower 6th.

Specialist Scholarships

Specialist Scholarships are awarded to pupils who show exceptional talent in the arts, music, drama, or sports. These scholarships offer unique benefits depending on the discipline. There are four categories of specialist scholarships:

• Music
• Sport
• Drama
• Art (encompassing Art, Design Technology, and Textiles)

With a specialist scholarship, scholars of offered provisions that benefit them and help them develop their talents. Opportunities like 1:1 instrumental lessons, exclusive opportunities for performance and dramatic roles, and personalised training. Specialist scholars can participate in extra-curricular clubs pertaining to their disciplines, and OLA 6^th students are offered leadership opportunities like co-chairing a society or running activities for younger students.

Scholarship Length

Each scholarship is awarded for three years, with annual reviews based on the scholar’s fulfilment of expectations set by their subject coordinator. Scholars in Year 7 may reapply in Year 9 to extend their scholarship through the final two years of their GCSE course. In the 6th Form, scholarships are awarded for two years, with a review after the first year.

Financial Awards and Discounts

The McAuley Scholarship Programme provides financial awards for each scholarship category, with specific benefits for each discipline:

1. Academic Scholarships: For Years 7 and 9, a 10% discount on school fees applies until the end of Year 11. For OLA 6th Form, this discount extends through to the end of 6th Form.
2. Art Scholarships: Year 7 and 9 art scholars receive a £300 annual award, while Lower 6th Form art, design technology, and textiles scholars each receive £500 annually.
3. Drama Scholarships: Drama scholars in Years 7 and 9 receive £300 annually, and Lower 6th scholars receive £500.
4. Music Scholarships: Music scholars in Years 7, 9, and the 6th Form benefit from free individual tuition with the school’s visiting music staff.
5. Sports Scholarships: Sports scholars in Years 7 and 9 receive £300 annually, and Lower 6th sports scholars receive £500.

Only one major financial award is granted per pupil, meaning they cannot combine multiple discounts or bursaries with their scholarship. In cases where a pupil qualifies for an Academic Scholarship as well as a Sibling Discount or a Bursary Award, the Scholarship becomes honorary. An honorary Scholarship award does not carry financial aid, but participation in the McAuley Scholarship Programme affords students many beneficial opportunities and the award distinguishes the student as a Scholar.

The Application Process

The application process for the McAuley Scholarship Programme requires careful planning and timely submissions:

• Lower 6th Academic Scholarships:
  • Examinations will take place on Tuesday, 12 November 2024.
  • Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 19 November 2024.

• Lower 6th Specialist Scholarships (Music, Art, Textiles, Design Technology, Drama, Sports):
  • Interviews and auditions are scheduled for Monday, 18 November 2024.
• Year 7 and Year 9 Academic Scholarships:
  • Exams and interviews for these scholarships will occur on Saturday, 9 November 2024.
• Year 7 and Year 9 Specialist Scholarships (Music, Art, Drama, Sports):
  • Interviews and auditions will be held on Friday, 8 November 2024.

Applications are now open for entry in September 2025. Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply via this form as soon as possible and direct any questions to the Scholarship Coordinator.

Your Child Will Find a Place to Belong at OLA

The McAuley Scholarship Programme at Our Lady’s Abingdon School provides support and encouragement to motivated pupils, fostering their growth across various disciplines and empowering them to succeed. Through academic guidance, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and financial awards, the programme enriches scholars’ educational journeys, encouraging them to make the most of their talents. In this and other ways, our small, inclusive school makes it easy for children to find a place where they not only fit, but thrive. Our Lady’s Abingdon School is a small, Catholic, independent day school for pupils between the ages of 7 and 18. Nurturing qualities in our students that include wisdom, the value of learning, independent thinking, self-worth, and care for others, we strive to help them aspire to values like integrity, compassion, openness, forgiveness, and courage. Embracing our rich Catholic Christian heritage, we promote a family community that helps children embark on a journey towards lifelong success. Having been supported by the Sisters resident in Abingdon until very recently, we still aspire to their ethos of integrity and warmth, and we accept pupils from diverse backgrounds, both faith and non-faith. We welcome all students and believe that the co-educational environment works to empower our pupils to be confident, articular young people, ready to make a difference in the world. To learn more, visit our campus, call 01235 524658, or contact us through our website.