Scholarships
St columba's sports scholarship 2026/27
St Columba’s is delighted to announce the launch of a significant new Sports Scholarship, designed to support and nurture exceptional athletic talent entering the school at SIII to SVI level.
Commencing in August 2026, the scholarship aims to provide a clear pathway for dedicated young athletes to excel both on the field and in the classroom. Unlike many traditional awards, this scholarship is not means-tested, focusing solely on sporting and academic potential, character, and the candidate’s ability to contribute to the school’s vibrant sporting community. If further support is required, successful candidates can apply for additional bursary funding through the School’s Bursary Fund.
The scholarship has been made possible through the incredible generosity of a former pupil who maintains close ties to the school. While the donor wishes to remain anonymous, their gift reflects a deep commitment to the school’s ethos and a desire to give back to the next generation of sporting talent.
Visit Us
We run set Open Days in March, September and November, but we welcome visits from prospective families at any time throughout the year, as we have immediate starts available in some year groups.
Scholarship Benefits
The successful recipient(s) will receive a comprehensive support package that continues throughout their tenure at the school:
- Tuition Fee Reduction: A significant annual reduction in school fees.
- Annual Sports Kit: A full suite of high-performance gear provided each year by the renowned local supplier, Smiths of Greenock.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The scholarship is open to external pupils who are entering the school at the SIII to SVI stage (S3 to S6). Candidates must demonstrate potential in their chosen sport(s) alongside a solid academic foundation.
No. Unlike bursaries, the Sports Scholarship is not means-tested. It is awarded purely on merit, focusing on the candidate’s sporting and academic potential, character, and alignment with St Columba’s values, regardless of financial background.
Yes. If a successful scholarship candidate requires further financial assistance to attend St Columba’s, parents are welcome to apply for additional means-tested support through the School’s Bursary Fund. You can learn more about this process on our Bursaries page.
Yes. We will let any successful candidates know the amount of support towards fees they will receive along with any bursary awards on their offer letter.
We accept applications for the following school year at any time. There are also places available for an immediate start in some year groups. Contact us to learn more about our available spaces.
The scholarship is intended to support the recipient throughout their entire tenure at St Columba’s Senior School (from SIII through to SVI), provided they continue to meet the academic, behavioural, and sporting benchmarks.
We welcome applications from exceptional young athletes across all sporting disciplines. While alignment with St Columba’s core school sports is advantageous, we primarily look for overall athletic potential, dedication, and a mindset of excellence that will inspire the wider school community.
application process
Successful candidates will demonstrate strong academic potential as well as commitment and talent in a chosen sport, so our selection process is designed to reflect this.
- Arrange a visit to learn more about the school and find out if it is right for you.
- Next, or if you are already familiar with the school, please book a Taster Day. As part of the day, children will take part in a PE class and spend time speaking with our Director of PE & Sport.
- Candidates will then sit the St Columba’s School academic entrance assessment and undergo a sporting assessment if necessary.
- Finally, successful candidates will be announced.
