The Sophie Bryant scholarship commemorates the intellectual brilliance, pioneering spirit and joy for life of our second headmistress, Sophie Byrant (1850-1922), one of the first women to achieve a first class degree and the very first to be awarded a doctorate of science.
A true polymath, she was an accomplished linguist, an eminent mathematician and philosopher, as well as a lifelong advocate of women’s right to participate in public and academic life. Unusually for a woman of her time, she was passionate about sport and outdoor activity, dedicating much of her free time to cycling, rowing, hiking and mountaineering.
The Sophie Bryant scholars will demonstrate this spirit of intellectual and wider adventure. They will be supported in their endeavours through an individualised mentoring and enrichment programme led by senior staff.
Outline of Individualised Mentoring and Enrichment Programme:
- Termly mentoring session with staff member to discuss the intellectual development of the student
- A Sophie Bryant Symposium presentation to parents on a research project
- Sophie Bryant Journal publishing this work
- Fee remission – usually, some level of fee remission. However, fee remissions are not guaranteed and on occasion the School may award a scholarship without one.
This prestigious award (for first award from September 2025) will be offered to a small number of girls entering NLCS in Year 7 and Year 12 who exhibit a deep love of learning combined with enthusiasm for wider achievement beyond the classroom.
The scholarships are open to external applicants and to current Year 6 and 11 students. Current Year 6 pupils will be assessed by recommendation of the Junior School. Current Year 11 pupils who applied internally will need to sit our 16+ entrance examinations and be interviewed by a member of staff.
Assessment will be through our normal entrance examination, interview and reference process. We are not looking for achievement at any particular level as we recognise that not all pupils have access to the same co-curricular experiences.
Sophie Bryant, 1850-1922.
