Highfield and Brookham all-rounder scholarship

Suzannah Cryer, Head of Highfield and Brookham School, a thriving prep, pre-prep and nursery in Liphook, Hampshire, has spoken of the school’s continued commitment to excellence with the expansion of its exciting scholarship programme. Following the success of the Year 5 all-rounder scholarships unveiled last year, the progressive day and boarding school is now rolling out sought-after scholarships aimed at children in Year 3.

The scholarship programme

We are extremely proud of our children and how they approach their education with curiosity, determination and courage. They are children who have an innate love of learning, who relish the opportunity to work together, who are creative and thrive on challenges, and we believe in nurturing individuals who excel not only in the classroom but also in extra-curricular pursuits.

With this in mind, we are delighted to be able to offer our all-rounder scholarship in Year 3 and Year 5 which is designed to recognise exceptional children who demonstrate a passion for learning and a commitment to personal growth.

The rollout of the Year 3 scholarship comes at a time when more and more parents are getting caught up in the ‘state until eight’ debate, which ponders the merits of sending children to a state school until they complete Year 2 before moving on to an independent school at the start of Year 3 – in other words at the age of eight.

Year 3 is a natural point in a child’s education that parents might consider an independent school, as smaller class sizes, a more diverse curriculum and specialist teaching in subjects such as drama and design technology really take effect. At Highfield and Brookham, we naturally see an uplift of admissions enquiries in Year 3.

Year 5 is another popular time to join a prep school. It provides a strong foundation for children before they begin their journey of senior school applications. It allows new children to settle into the school environment for a year, familiarising themselves with the curriculum, teaching methods, and overall culture. This preparatory period can be invaluable in ensuring children are well-equipped to perform their best in the ISEB pre-tests which they will sit in the autumn term of Year 6.

The scholarship is aimed at all-rounders who exude a positive attitude to learning across the board and who demonstrate phenomenal abilities in and out of the classroom. It is also designed to recognise exceptional children who will be excellent role models who add real strength and value to the whole school community.

With the school committed to supporting its scholarship recipients throughout their time at Highfield and Brookham, all the way up to Year 8, scholars will be taught by staff trained by the National Association for Able Children in Education.

There will also be plentiful opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities such as concerts and plays while scholars can expect to be actively involved in life-enriching initiatives such as debating, STEM and intellectual curiosity clubs.

The importance of being a strong all-rounder

We believe in the importance of developing well-rounded individuals who can thrive in a variety of environments, and we understand that children’s passions change as they progress through their academic journey and want children to have the freedom to continuously pursue areas of interest.

Our all-rounder scholarship offers exactly that opportunity and allows our scholarship recipients the chance to explore a diverse range of subjects and activities and not get pigeon-holed into one area of expertise.

Such all-round excellence is of great value to the top senior schools we feed, such as Marlborough College, Wellington College, Winchester College, Radley College, Cranleigh, Charterhouse and Sherborne.

Our holistic approach allows scholarship recipients to explore a diverse range of subjects and activities, discovering their true passions and strengths, allowing them to evolve over time. This not only supports their academic growth but also fosters the development of essential skills such as problem solving, creativity, and adaptability.

Rather than limiting children to a specific academic or extra-curricular focus, our all-rounder scholarship encourages children to embrace their multifaceted talents and interests and grab every opportunity that a Highfield and Brookham education provides with both hands. This approach aligns with our commitment to providing a transformative educational experience that unlocks the full potential of every child and allows them the confidence to be true to themselves.

Who should apply?

We are looking for children who show strong academic performance and have a good track record of high achievement in the classroom, children who possess an inquisitive and curious nature and a real love of learning, with the ability to think critically, problem solve and apply their knowledge in different ways.

We’re also looking for children who shine through their involvement in extra-curricular activities, be that in sport or the arts or volunteering, children who demonstrate excellent leadership, teamwork and communication qualities, and those children who have a positive attitude and can demonstrate great levels of determination and perseverance while taking on challenges.

We understand that each applicant is unique, and we welcome children from diverse backgrounds and experiences. What we're looking for is the potential to thrive in our dynamic, supportive environment and make a meaningful contribution to our vibrant school community.

Deadline to apply for a scholarship for September 2026 entry is 12th October 2025. For more details, please visit highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/admissions/scholarships.