Supporting Your Child with a Scholarship Application

A scholarship can do more than ease the financial cost of sixth form, it can also help your child step into an environment that nurtures their potential, boosts their confidence, and sets them on a path to real academic growth. At Ashbourne College, the scholarship process is designed to identify promising students who will benefit from a vibrant, ambitious and supportive education.

If your child is applying for a scholarship, here’s what you need to know and how you can support them.

What Ashbourne Scholarships Involve
Ashbourne offers a limited number of tuition scholarships for high-achieving or high-potential students, typically in academic subjects. For Music and Drama, however, the College may award more substantial scholarships, sometimes covering up to 75% or even 100% of tuition fees.

The goal is not only to reward academic ability, but to give students access to a community where they’ll thrive, with support, structure, and genuine care. The scholarship programme reflects the College’s broader approach: challenge, support, and a belief that hard work and strategy can lead to exceptional outcomes.

The Application Process
To apply, students complete a short form and take a written assessment in their chosen subject. If successful, they may be invited for an interview with senior staff or subject specialists.

It’s a focused but friendly process. Ashbourne is a relatively small college, and that means applicants are treated as individuals. The College is known for its warmth and inclusive ethos, and that applies from the very first contact.

As a parent, you can help by encouraging your child to prepare thoughtfully for the assessment and by discussing their reasons for applying. Reflecting on their motivations and goals will help them perform well during any interview stage.

What Ashbourne Looks For
Scholarships are not just about perfect grades. The College is looking for:

– A strong academic foundation or clear potential
– Enthusiasm for learning
– A committed attitude and readiness to grow

These qualities are closely tied to Ashbourne’s values. Teachers here aim to transform lives, not just teach content. Students are expected to take responsibility for their progress, but they’re never left without support.

Scholarship students are challenged, but they are also cared for. Ashbourne’s team of ambitious and personable teachers create an environment where expectations are high, but the approach is human and flexible.

How to Support at Home
The scholarship process can be a confidence-building experience when approached calmly. You can support your child by helping them prepare without pressure, by reviewing practice materials, talking through their goals, and encouraging them to speak openly if they feel uncertain.

Remind them that this is an opportunity, not a test of their worth. At Ashbourne, success is not limited to those who are already perfect, it’s about progress, attitude and potential, reflecting our no ceiling approach. That’s what makes this process both fair and impactful.

Key Takeaway
A scholarship at Ashbourne is more than a discount, it’s a gateway into a culture of high support, high challenge, and true personal growth. If your child is passionate about learning and ready to commit, the application process is absolutely worth exploring.

Whether your child is looking for a fresh start or the next step forward, Ashbourne offers a learning environment where ability is recognised, effort is rewarded, and potential is taken seriously.