For the next academic year, the College is looking to recruit some promising male and female athletes to join the existing pool of exceptional Shiplake talent and form crews which can excel at the very highest level. Rowing scholarships are available for Year 12, with successful applicants receiving a discount of up to 50% of fees. These awards are highly competitive, however, so if your child would be unable to attend the College without such a substantial discount, we would strongly advise you to simultaneously apply for a means-tested bursary.
Shiplake College occupies a beautiful rural setting on the banks of the River Thames. With its own stretch of water just two and a half miles upstream from the world-famous Henley Royal Regatta course, it is no surprise that the College has a thriving and successful Boat Club. The College is nationally renowned for rowing with current and former pupils representing Great Britain, including Olympic medallists Will Satch and Ben Hunt-Davis. Shiplake is now seeking to develop a world-class rowing reputation.
There are around 140 members in the Boat Club who compete in races throughout the season, with highlights including the National Schools’ Regatta in late May, and the Henley Royal Regatta in July which the boys and girls top boats enter every year. The College has extensive facilities including numerous ergometers, a weights room and two Boat Houses containing an excellent fleet of boats. Olympic rowing venue Dorney Lake is a short distance away, and is often used for training in addition to Shiplake’s own facilities. Further information can be found on the Rowing page.
Boys and girls at Shiplake receive top class coaching and support in order to develop their own talents and help them develop into elite athletes. If you have the potential to thrive in Shiplake’s inclusive learning and sporting environment, and have aspirations to reach an elite level of rowing in the future, you are warmly encouraged to apply now.
Scholarship Criteria
The ideal candidate will have rowed competitively for at least three years and gained considerable competitive experience. Candidates will be expected to adopt a professional attitude towards their sport, in order to make the most of the opportunities which they are offered. In doing so, scholars will also become great role models for younger pupils in the College, and inspire their peers to reach similarly high standards in years to come.
A successful candidate would be expected to have featured in finals of National Schools or National Championships with medals being desirable. Candidates should currently be in the GB training system or have their sights firmly set on gaining international representation.
A desirable ergometer score for a successful male candidate would be 2,000m completed in under 6 minutes 50 seconds at rate 24.
A desirable ergometer score for a successful female candidate would be 2,000m completed in under 7 minutes 50 seconds at rate 24.
How to Apply
Candidates should click here to complete the scholarship application form, which will be reviewed by the Director of Rowing and successful candidates will then be invited to the scholarship assessment afternoon. References from current rowing coaches should also accompany your application.
Click here for the Year 12 application process timeline. Please contact the Registrar, Esther Pasmore, for further information about the admissions process, or Director of Rowing, David Currie, for further information on rowing at Shiplake.
Assessment Process
Selected applicants for Year 12 will be invited to an assessment afternoon in addition to their general Sixth Form assessment morning. Candidates will be welcomed by the Director of Rowing and then begin their assessments which include a 1,000m ergometer test, strength testing, water assessments and interviews.
If you have any queries about the application or assessment process, please email the Assistant Registrar, Hayley Young.