At Benenden, Scholarships are given to recognise talent. Awards of up to 10% of fees are made and the percentage of an award is related to the degree of talent. Any Scholarship may be supplemented by a further bursary award, subject to means testing.

Benenden offers external Academic, Art & Design, Design & Technology, Drama, Music and Sports awards.

Scholarship Entry at 11+, 12+ and 13+

The level of examination (for candidates normally under the age of 14 on 1 September following the examination) will be determined not by the date of birth but the intended form of entry (Fourth form 11+, Upper Fourth form 12+, Lower Fifth form 13+).

The following Lower School awards will typically be available:

At 11+ (Fourth Form) Entry and 12+ (Upper Fourth Form) Entry
    Up to two major Academic awards
       -    The Bird Scholarship
       -    The Founders' Scholarship
    Up to two minor Academic awards
       -    The Rosemary Langton Scholarship
       -    The Hemsted Scholarship
    One Music award **
       -    The Founders' Music Scholarship

At 13+ (Lower Fifth) Entry
    Up to four major Academic awards
       -    2 x The Founders' Scholarship
       -    The Clarke Scholarship
       -    The Sheldon Scholarship
    Up to four minor Academic awards
       -    The Benenden School Trust Scholarship
       -    The Hilary Marshall Scholarship
       -    The Barbara Findlay Trust Scholarship
       -    The Lawrence Scholarship
    Up to two major Music awards **
       -    The Hindle Music Scholarship
       -    The Nash Music Scholarship
    One minor Music award of varying value**
       -    The Kentish Music Scholarship

An Art & Design award
A Sports award
A Drama award
Up to three Design & Technology awards
       -    The Candy Chanyavongse Design & Technology Scholarship
 
In addition, there is a further restricted 13+ award:
       -    The Scottish Scholarship (For a student currently attending a school in Scotland)
  

**  The award of a Music Scholarship includes two periods a week of free instrumental or vocal tuition.

Academic Scholarship for September 2010 Entrants

Academic Scholarship examinations will take place at Benenden School on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 January 2010. Examinations papers will be set by Benenden School for 11+, 12+ and 13+ Scholarship candidates in the following subjects:

For 11+ and 12+ Academic Scholarship candidates, the examinations will take place on Friday 29 January only. For 13+ Academic Scholarship candidates, the examinations will take place on both Friday 29 January and Saturday 30 January 2010. Candidates will therefore be expected to stay overnight.

Music Scholarships for September 2010 Entrants

Music Scholarship auditions will take place at Benenden School on Wednesday 27 January 2010. 

Scholarships at 13+ in Art & Design, Design & Technology, Sport and Drama

Assessments and interviews will take place at Benenden School on Tuesday 26 January and Wednesday 27 January 2010. Benenden offers Scholarships to girls who show exceptional promise and commitment in any one of these areas, supported by good academic results in the normal entry papers.
Applicants will be asked to produce evidence of three kinds: a record or portfolio of previous work or achievements; a response to a challenge set at Benenden; and/or an interview.
Successful applicants will be given additional opportunities to explore their talents and extend their skills and will be expected to offer an example and to be an inspiration to others.

Candidates wishing to be considered for a place, even if a Scholarship is not awarded, must be registered for the School in the usual way; others need only enter for the Scholarship examination.

Application forms may be obtained from the:
Admissions Office
Benenden School
Cranbrook
Kent TN17 4AA
Telephone: 01580 240592
E-mail: registry@benenden.kent.sch.uk

BURSARIES
Limited financial assistance may be available in case of demonstrable need.  Such assistance is always means-tested and subject to regular re-checking that it is warranted, and may be given to existing pupils in straitened circumstances, or to a new entrant. Full details can be obtained from the Bursar.

TRUST AWARD PROGRAMME
Benenden School would like to enable more girls whose families cannot even begin to afford a Benenden education to take up a place at Benenden.  To this end, in addition to the School’s existing scholarship and bursary programme, the Benenden School Trust is raising money to fund a number of Trust Awards to local primary school children.  These 100% free places are means tested and will enable a far broader range of talented girls to come to Benenden. Where necessary, the Trust can also provide a Trust Award holder with an additional allowance to fund uniform and other extras. Each award lasts for the full seven years of a student’s school career at Benenden, subject to annual review.

Full details of Benenden’s programme of Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards can be found in the Parents’ Information Handbook, a copy of which can be obtained from the Admissions Office.