Application information
Assessment dates: Friday 6 November 2026 (boys) and Friday 13 November (girls).
The closing date for application forms and bursary augmentation is Friday 25 September 2026.
Awards will be made to candidates who demonstrate outstanding performance or potential in at least one of our major team games:
- Rugby Football (boys only)
- Netball (girls only)
- Hockey (boys and girls)
- Cricket (boys and girls)
- Tennis (boys and girls)
Applications must identify at least two referees for Rugby School to contact. References will only be requested to aid the final decision.
A report will also be requested from the Head of the candidate’s current school to establish that the boys and girls selected will also flourish academically at Rugby.
Candidates will be required to come to Rugby School for a day of assessment on Friday 6 November 2026 (boys) and Friday 13 November 2026 (girls). Boys and girls will take part in activities designed to establish their intrinsic motivation to be a sports scholar, athletic ability, decision making under pressure and potential to respond to coaching as well as having the opportunity to demonstrate their particular skills in one or more specific sports.
Candidates do not need to have a place to enter Rugby School before applying for the Sports Scholarship. The availability of a place in the School cannot be guaranteed, however, every effort would be made to find a place fo the winner of a Sports Scholarship, subject to entrance tests. Candidates from overseas or who attend schools that do not prepare for Common Entrance will be required to sit our entrance tests in English and Maths the day before before the assessment.
Candidates do not need to play all of the above sports to be considered for a sports scholarship. We will award a scholarship based on excellent performance/potential excellent performance in one sport or very good performance/potential very good performance in two or more sports.
Award and Augmentation
If a scholarship is awarded, fees may be augmented by means-tested bursary support up to 100% of the boarding or day fees.
Bursary applications are made via an online system - please complete the Bursary Application Form below to start an application. In order for your bursary application to be considered, your child must be registered with the School and the Registration Fee (if applicable) paid in full. Applications submitted after the closing date may not be assessed until after the result of a scholarship application is known.