Talent Programmes

The basis of almost every educational setting is academics and we believe that children with higher than average ability should benefit from the same challenge in lessons as every other child. This is why we are so passionate about differentiated teaching and why our split-group teaching for core subjects is so important.

In addition to this, our Aiming Higher Groups ensure children are challenged further and given the opportunity to take their learning to the highest possible level, through attendance at early morning lessons. Classroom teaching is always differentiated and those children who are bright are stretched within their usual lessons, but we also invite our most able to Beyond the Curriculum lessons, which allow teachers to test the boundaries of a child’s understanding and often study at a level way beyond their chronological age.

The individualised attention that these children receive during extension sessions allows them to explore unknown and often extremely challenging concepts in the security of a small group where there is always help on hand.

Some schools use interview as a means to determine academic scholars. Those applying to such schools at 11+ are given 1:1 interview preparation with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Academic scholarships are awarded by senior schools based on the outcome of their 11+ assessments.

Our Art Scholars are pupils who have been identified by our Head of Art as having the potential to be successful in applying for an Art Scholarship at Senior School. Throughout their time in the Lower School (and even Early Years), the children’s potential is observed and, when entering Year 3, those with the passion and raw talent are invited to work towards an art portfolio to support any future scholarship applications. Our Head of Art works closely with the Departmental Heads at local senior schools to ascertain the level of accomplishment each school is looking for and she then uses this information to structure a programme that allows the Art Scholars to produce a portfolio of their best work, suitable for applying to their chosen school.

Our specialist Design & Technology room offers a dedicated space for weekly lessons with our Head of DT. The opportunities available to each and every pupil ensure all of our children move onto senior school with substantial experience and understanding.

Whilst few senior schools currently offer Design and Technology based scholarships, our Head of DT identifies those children who have shown the potential to excel in this area and works with individuals to create a suitable portfolio of their work. We were very proud that one of our pupils successfully applied for a DT scholarship in 2018 with a further two awarded in 2023.

Support with portfolios and projects is provided free of charge on a need basis.

Each year we have a number of children who wish to undertake the preparation for a Drama Scholarship at senior school and these numbers increase year on year. Their preparation starts in Year 5 and usually includes the following:

• Exploration of differing artists and playwrights through workshops, live performance and discussions.
• Live Theatre performance opportunities which may include an organised trip to the West End.
• Preparation of a portfolio to show their skills and insights and to build a profile of them as a performer.
• Monologue preparation and performance at Festivals, Recitals and Workshops.
• A group devised drama performance at the Woking Music Festival.
• A Scholars’ Recital to celebrate the hard work of the children.

Drama Scholars Club is free of charge and runs once per week for invited participants.

We have enjoyed a history of great success for Music Scholarships to competitive senior schools. Our musicians at Greenfield are notably committed, generous and driven young people who have chosen to enhance their talent through hard work. The children have a great deal of exposure to performance opportunities and a brilliantly varied curriculum and so are often successful in their applications. To enhance this further, our Scholars are usually offered this extra preparation:

• A weekly, one to one Music Theory and Music Aural lesson.
• A weekly group meeting to enhance musicianship.
• Compulsory access to Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Orchestra, Wind Band and House Band.
• Live Orchestral performance opportunities including a trip to the Royal Albert Hall.
• Entrance to solo and group performances at local Music Festivals.
• Public Performances including recitals, concerts, festivals and celebrations.
• Preparation of a portfolio to show their skills and insights and to build a profile of them as a performer.
• Exploration of differing musicians and performers through workshops, live performance and discussions.
• A Scholars Recital to celebrate the hard work of the children.

Greenfield School orchestra meet once per week, as do Chamber Choir, Wind Band and the House Band. These sessions are all free of charge.

In Years 3-6, Sports Masters are invited to attend weekly lunchtime sessions with a sports coach. We are very fortunate to have a brilliantly diverse PE department, each with their own passions and skills for netball, cricket, hockey, rugby, football and more. These coaches offer children who have shown promise in a particular sport the opportunity to benefit from some small group coaching and additional time on the sports field or court. It enables the children to get even more out of their timetabled PE lessons by ensuring they have tailored input from specialist teachers who equip them with techniques and offer individualised coaching that they can continue to work on during lessons, clubs and games.

Children who are likely to apply for sport scholarships at senior level will certainly be involved in a number of out-of-school activities, including playing for clubs or at a county level. We support our pupils however we can in these endeavours.