ART SCHOLARSHIPS

Art Scholarships recognise pupils with exceptional talent, technical ambition, and creative potential who embody curiosity, imagination, resilience, and self-expression. Scholars benefit from enhanced artistic and academic development—through workshops, exhibition opportunities, and leadership roles within the art department—while actively enriching creative life at Wells Cathedral School.

Criteria

For entry at Years 7, 9, 10 and Lower Sixth (NB., Year 10 is only applicable for external candidates)

Art Scholarships will be awarded to pupils who demonstrate:

• outstanding current artistic ability and creative potential;
• evidence of technical ability in observational drawing, capturing form, tone and proportion from life;
• awareness and exploration of a range of traditional and digital media across 2-D (e.g., painting, printmaking, mixed media), 3-D (e.g., ceramics, sculpture, maquettes) and digital formats (e.g., digital painting, photography)
• a willingness to embrace creative risk, imagination and open-ended curiosity;
• evidence of independently developed work, self-directed research and inquiry, demonstrated through sketchbooks, visual journals and gallery visits;
• a strong work ethic and commitment to their personal artistic development; and the ability and commitment to contribute positively to the Art Department and wider school community.

Benefits and expectations

What to expect on the Scholarship Day

• An interview with their Head of Year or a member of our Senior Management Team.
• A practical studio assessment led by the Art Department. Candidates will complete a direct observational drawing exercise to assess mark-making and spatial awareness.
• An interview with the Head of Art, exploring the candidate’s portfolio, independent sketchbooks, artistic influences, gallery experiences and creative aspirations.
• Candidates should submit a portfolio of 12–15 pieces of work prior to Scholarship Day. The portfolio must include evidence of observational drawing, exploration of 2-D, 3-D and digital media, as well as independent sketchbooks and visual journals documenting research and gallery visits.
• All candidates need to submit their Art Portfolio to Ms Nelson via email ([email protected]) by the published deadline (see the checklist on our Application Process page for details).

Financial awards

Scholarship awards are based on current merit. All successful applicants will be awarded a 10% discount on tuition fees. For those candidates who are awarded two Scholarships, the second will be an Honorary Scholarship without an additional financial award.

If you need further financial assistance please see our Bursaries page for details.

Review process

All Art Scholars will receive a formal review of their progress and performance in November of Year 8 and November of Year 11.

Apply

Click Here Apply – Year 7/8/9

Click Here Apply – Lower Sixth

Find out more

If you have any questions about our Scholarship Programme for any year of entry, please contact us on 01749 834441 or email [email protected].