What are scholarships at Cranleigh?
Senior School Scholarships at Cranleigh recognise, reward and nurture exceptional talent. Available at 13+ (Year 9) and 16+ (Year 12) entry, our scholarship programme offers a personalised educational experience that stretches high achievers in their chosen disciplines.
Scholars benefit from tailored mentoring, specialised facilities, and direct connections to our Old Cranleighan alumni network. Each award typically lasts for the duration of a pupil’s time at Cranleigh, giving them a distinct advantage when applying for higher education and future careers.
What benefits do Cranleigh scholars receive?
Every scholar at Cranleigh benefits from a comprehensive support structure designed to help them reach their full potential:
- Dedicated Mentoring & Guidance: Regular progress reviews with a dedicated staff mentor.
- Balance & Wellbeing: Flexible study arrangements, extra academic support, and proactive guidance to maintain a healthy balance between academic work and specialist pursuits.
- Leadership & Networking: Opportunities to mentor younger students, publish work, attend exclusive workshops, and connect with industry-specific alumni.
- Financial Recognition: Scholarships can carry a financial award of up to 15% of school fees.
What Senior Scholarships are available at 13+ and 16+?
Academic Scholarships
Academic awards identify bright, inquisitive minds ready to contribute to our scholarly community.
- The Purvis Society: Academic scholars automatically join our Purvis Society, engaging in weekly debates, current affairs analysis, external academic competitions, and contributing to the scholar-led Purvis Journal.
- Enriched Learning: Scholars receive dedicated enrichment lessons (such as two weekly sessions in Year 9), independent research opportunities, and public speaking platforms.
Apply for an Academic Scholarship:
Deadline for 13+ Academic Scholarship is 1st January 2027. The deadline for 16+ Scholarships is 2nd November 2026.
Art, Design Engineering & Product Design Scholarships
Designed for creative thinkers who show technical mastery and originality.
- Masterclasses & Workshops: Access to visiting artists, engineers, and industry masterclasses.
- Exhibitions & Portfolios: Dedicated portfolio development for university entry and opportunities to exhibit locally and nationally.
The deadline for 13+ Scholarships is 31st October 2026. The deadline for 16+ Scholarships is 2nd November 2026.
Apply for an Art Scholarship:
Apply for a Design Engineering and Product Design Scholarship:
Drama Scholarships
Tailored for pupils who demonstrate high potential, confidence, and passion in acting and theatrical performance.
- Performance Training: Access to specialist acting coaches and practical skill-building workshops.
- Stage Experience: Prominent acting roles in Senior School theatrical productions and showcases throughout the year.
The deadline for 13+ Scholarships is 31st October 2026. The deadline for 16+ Scholarships is 2nd November 2026.
Apply for a Drama Scholarship:
Performing Arts Scholarships
Celebrating passionate performers across drama, dance, and stagecraft.
- Individual Development Plans: Bespoke goal-setting alongside access to specialist acting and performance coaches.
- Production Roles: Priority access to prominent roles in major school productions, showcases, and professional workshop visits.
The deadline for 13+ Scholarships is 31st October 2026. The deadline for 16+ Scholarships is 2nd November 2026.
Apply for a Performing Arts Scholarship:
Music Scholarships
Supporting outstanding musicians through rigorous, tailored artistic journeys.
- Specialist Instruction: Personalised tuition across instruments and voice, regular ensemble opportunities, and performance masterclasses with visiting artists.
The deadline for 13+ Scholarships is 31st October 2026. The deadline for 16+ Scholarships is 2nd November 2026.
Apply for a Music Scholarship:
Sport Scholarships
Delivered through our Sports Scholars High Performance Pathway Programme for high-performing single-sport or all-round athletes.
- Disciplines: Primary focus on Cricket, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, and Swimming (with flexibility for other high-level sports).
- High-Performance Support: One-to-one coaching, tailored strength and conditioning programmes, physical fitness testing, and flexible arrangements to accommodate regional or national squad commitments.
The deadline for 13+ Scholarships is 31st October 2026. The deadline for 16+ Scholarships is 2nd November 2026.
Apply for a Sport Scholarship:
How are Senior School Scholarships assessed?
Scholarships at Cranleigh are awarded to candidates who demonstrate exceptional ability and who model our core School values at all times:
- Aspire Boldly: Setting ambitious goals, embracing challenges, showing curiosity, and striving for excellence.
- Be Yourself: Acting with authenticity, resilience, integrity, and self-awareness.
- Care for Others: Practising kindness, empathy, respect, and collaboration within our community.
Candidates sit their assessments during the academic year prior to entry, as detailed below:
| Discipline | 13+ Assessment (Sat in Year 8) | 16+ Assessment (Sat in Year 11) |
| Academic | February of Year 8: Written papers (English, Maths, General Skills), group discussion, and interview. | October/November of Year 11: Range of video or in-person interviews with Senior Management. |
| Art, Design Engineering & Product Design | January of Year 8: Half-day workshop, portfolio review, practical skills test, and interview. | October of Year 11: Half-day workshop, portfolio review, practical skills test, and interview. |
| Drama & Performing Arts | January of Year 8: Practical group workshop, prepared piece, and interview. | October/November of Year 11: Prepared monologue, presentation, and interview. |
| Music | January of Year 8: Two contrasting pieces and sight-reading on candidate's first instrument, aural skills test, and interview. | October/November of Year 11: Two contrasting pieces on main instrument, aural skills test, and interview. |
| Sport | November of Year 8: One-day trial including fitness tests, sport-specific trials, teamwork tasks, and interview. | October/November of Year 11: One-day trial including fitness tests, sport-specific trials, teamwork tasks, and interview. |
Can scholarship awards be combined with bursaries?
Yes. While scholarships recognise talent and high achievement, Cranleigh is committed to widening access through means-tested financial support.
Families requiring assistance beyond a scholarship’s financial award (or who require full financial support) are invited to apply for a Means-Tested Bursary or a Foundationer Place through the Cranleigh Foundation. Bursaries can cover up to a significant percentage of school fees depending on individual family circumstances.