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Secondary education

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Original poster

Experiences of 11+ Drama Scholarships for Independent School?

14 replies

NormaSnorks · 01/12/2012 18:05

Anyone's DC get one, or audition for one?
Know other children who have?

Any idea about what is required/ what sort of level of experience the sucessful candidates tend to have?

We are considering entering DS for one, but am wondering whether we are wasting our time beng over-ambitious...

OP posts:
deste · 01/12/2012 20:10

My dd applied for one but as there was only one in the school she didn't get it. She had lots of amateur and some professional experience and also was in the National Youth Music Theatre and also Youth Music Theatre - uk. She had to do a written test and sing an age appropriate song from a musical. There was a debate about the test because she started one and they said they had given her the wrong one so she had to start again. She said she had not covered a lot of the questions so we think she had the correct one first. I don't think they took into account the fact that they start school a year later than England. She did get in but the fees were too much. Is it in Harpenden.

Picturesinthefirelight · 01/12/2012 20:15

I don't think they are usually worth much. A nominal amount off fees.

A friends dd was offered one but chose instead to go the the school her brothers were already attending.

We didn't consider it for dd as the school is too far away and the travelling would be unmanageable. Dd would have liked to go to vocational school but her dance isn't strong enough and on a drama course she wouldn't have enough opportunity to dance.

Original poster
NormaSnorks · 01/12/2012 20:47

Could be worth up to 30%, but more likely 10-20%, Pictures, so worth a shot I think, if it seems he has enough experience.
The official line from the school is that they don't have any criteria, as such, and that it's purely based on 'flair and potential'.
If invited for audition he would need to prepare a piece and take part in a group workshop with other candidates.

He has lots of LAMDA/ drama festival achievements, attends drama school for 3 hours a week, and has won parts in the local youth theatre productions.
Hasn't been on TV or performed in the West End yet though... Hmm

OP posts:
Picturesinthefirelight · 01/12/2012 20:53

It's def worth going for it if he wants to go to that school anyway.

Dh teaches at a vocational school do we could get 40% off ifcshecwas good enough

If he's used to lamda & festivals the main thing I would say us to be prepared to re-directed. It doesn't mean his piece is bad or wrong just they might want to see if he has been over coached and able to take direction/try something new

Good luck.

Original poster
NormaSnorks · 01/12/2012 21:09

That's good advice about being re-directed, thanks....

OP posts:
deste · 01/12/2012 22:04

I would say he had enough experience. My DD was re-directed at her drama school audition and got in, if that happens its not that they dont like him. I think they are testing him as the poster above said.

eatyourveg · 02/12/2012 07:44

Not sure if this is any help but this is from our school's scholarship booklet - they are worth up to 30%

"Perform a prepared monologue on a piece of your own choosing.

Perform an unseen piece lasting five minutes. It will be an improvisation and the candidate will be offered several options to choose from.

The candidate will bring a portfolio of productions in which he or she has been involved as well as two testimonials from directors, producers or specialist teachers and then there is a question and answer session with the Headteacher, Head of English and Head of Drama.

Candidates must demonstrate a real flair and passion for Drama as well as involvement in youth drama and amateur productions. Only in exceptional circumstances will singing and dance be offered as components of the audition."

The application form states that you should list any Lamda exams taken and the grade obtained.

twoterrors · 02/12/2012 10:01

If your ds likes the school and wants to go there, and won't be worried by this (presumably not if he loves drama), then it isn't a waste of time anyway.

The school gets to find out more about him and sees how committed he his to drama (which is a good thing if it is selective - is it?), he gets to find out more about the school and how it approaches the activity he loves......it is win-win think.

He should try to relax and enjoy it, and just see what happens.

Original poster
NormaSnorks · 02/12/2012 11:35

twoterrors - yes - that's really what I was thinking. He loves the school. His older brother is already there, and he has been to loads of the school drama productions.

The only thing is that he doesn't do 1-to-1 lessons any more, so I will probably have to help him prepare something (which is fine - I was quite into drama myself in my day !)

Anyone got any good examples of monologues which would be suitable.
He's quite into fantasy type adventure - I wonder if I could find him something from Lord of the Rings or something - he does Gollum impressions all the time anyway.. Hmm

Seriously though - any tips or links for suitable audition pieces?

OP posts:
Picturesinthefirelight · 02/12/2012 18:08

A good start would be the Jean Marlow audition speeches for ages 6-16 book

Picturesinthefirelight · 02/12/2012 18:08

There is also a monologue from how to train your dragon in the current lamda anthology

CowsGoMoo · 03/12/2012 21:03

Hi, my son was awarded the major drama scholarship for his senior school. For his scholarship he had to take in a portfolio containing information about all the productions he had appeared in (all local, no tv etc) This portfolio also contained all his LAMDA certificates (He was bronze award for his LAMDA when he applied and Grade 6 or 7) and all festival certificates, press cuttings etc.
Also there were all tickets/programmes for all Theatre shows/musicals etc he had seen in the past year (they like to know that you have a genuine interest in the arts)
On the day he had to perform a monologue. He chose to do the soliloquy from Macbeth. He then was put in a group of 4 (I think) and they had to prepare an improvisation. They were observed the whole way through and their input into the group was noted. He had to also do 2 written papers. One was to discuss and evaluate a play he had recently seen. (he chose the Railway Children) and the other was answering questions on stage directions, how to set up a play and what areas of the stage are called etc. etc. As well as these he had to do a VR and NVR exam and then have an interview with the head and then the deputy. It was a pretty intense day and he was tired at the end of it but was worth it! We heard he had been awarded it a week later and he started there this September and is loving it!
Good luck for your DS. (my son gets more than the figures on here off for his scholarship too!, so its def worth trying!)

TheWave · 04/12/2012 11:53

Cows was that at age 13 or age 16? How much drama does he do/is he expected to do in the school now over and above the norm?

Picturesinthefirelight · 04/12/2012 18:14

Would be interested to know his age too

In my area there is very little other than paid for classes which you can do under the age of 11. Dd travelled almost 30 miles every week to take part in a show last September.

I know that Lamda advise the minimum age for Grades 6-8 should be 14. They used to set an actual minim age for each grade and you had to put date of birth in the entry firm. It was 9 years for Grade 1 and up a grade for each year. They did remove that restriction about 2-3 years ago.

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