General FAQs
What are the benefits to award holders?
Scholars obtain a reduction in fees of 10% for an academic scholarship and 5% for all other awards. Further means tested assistance may also be available (see Financial FAQs).
Award holders benefit from an enhanced programme of education during their time at Oakham. Specific opportunities will vary depending on the award held.
What scholarships are available? How do you assess candidates?
The awards and guidelines page lists the awards available and you can download guidelines for each award type. Note that certain awards require advance preparation.
Who can apply?
Competition for awards is open to both external and internal candidates.
Is there an examination fee?
No, but you do need to register your child for Oakham School and pay the appropriate registration fee before applying for a scholarship or bursary.
Will the award(s) cover the whole of my son/daughter’s time at Oakham?
We grant awards for a set number of years, subject to the pupil continuing to meet the required standards. Awards usually cover a pupil’s full career at Oakham. Means tested awards are subject to annual review.
Will my son/daughter have to take the Oakham entrance examination or Common Entrance as well as the scholarship examinations?
13+ Academic scholarship applicants
Candidates who are not offered an academic scholarship, but who reach the required standard to be offered a place at Oakham, will not have to sit the Oakham entrance examination. It is advisable, but not essential, for preparatory school scholarship candidates to take Common Entrance.
11+ Academic scholarship applicants
It is not necessary to make separate application for an 11+ academic scholarship. Candidates sit the normal entrance examination. We then recall potential scholars for interview and to sit further tests.
Other scholarships and awards (including All-rounder)
Candidates for all other scholarships must fulfil the normal academic entry requirements. 11+ and 13+ applicants are therefore required to sit the normal entrance examinations. For 16+ scholarship candidates this means a minimum of 7Bs at GCSE (or equivalent).
Age limits
On 1 September of the proposed year of entry your child must be:
- Under 12 for 11+ entry into the Lower School (Jerwoods)
- Under 14 for 13+ entry into the Middle School
- Under 17 for 16+ entry into the Sixth Form
When are the exams?
Check here for current application and assessment dates
When are the results known?
We generally inform parents and candidates between 7 and 10 days after the examinations. Internal 13+ academic and sport candidates have a different assessment method to external candidates: results are announced at the end of the academic year.
What about on-going performance?
We review scholarships and exhibitions annually and may, depending upon the award holder's continuing good performance and behaviour, vary or withdraw them.