Applications are now open for the Orwell Award 2021 at Eton College, a fully funded sixth-form scholarship programme aimed at year 11 boys in state schools with limited opportunities.
“To be a successful applicant you will need intellectual curiosity, an openness of mind and character, and the willingness to step outside your comfort zone,” the independent school said on its website.
The Orwell Award is assessed on both academic potential and against specific criteria, such as if they have refugee status or are a Looked After Child, are in the first generation of their family to go to university, are in receipt of the Pupil Premium or attend a school Ofsted has identified as ‘requiring improvement’ on in ‘special measures’.
An award holder will be given a full boarding place, with access to all the academic and co-curricular opportunities that all Eton students receive.
Eton Orwell Award from Small Films on Vimeo.
Orwell Award holder Hamza said: “I’m from East London so it’s a completely different thing coming into a school like this, but it’s not as daunting as it seems. The best thing about Eton is that it allows you to become who you want to be.
“It brings out what your passions are and it gives you the chance to try anything that you think you will be good at and, if you are good at it, Eton pushes you to become even better and really brings out the best in you.”
The award launched in 2019, and is named after author and Eton College alumnus George Orwell, who received financial aid at the school. Eton College fees currently stand at around £42,000 per year.
Applications for 2021 opened on 7 July 2020 and close on 25 September 2020.
For more information about the Orwell Award, visit the school’s website.
