A RECORD number of scholarships have been achieved by pupils of St Ives School in Haslemere.

An impressive 75 per cent of Year 6 pupils are heading to senior schools in September, having gained scholarships to win them a place at their first choices.

Scholarships were awarded in music, art, drama and sport, to a range of different schools.

Pupils are taking up places at Guildford High School, Tormead, Guildford, Prior’s Field, Godalming, Churcher’s College, Petersfield, and Reigate Grammar.

St Ives headteacher Kay Goldsworthy said: “We are so proud of all our pupils, who have done so well to gain places to their senior schools.

“For three-quarters of them to have been awarded scholarships is phenomenal. The 11+ is a competitive examination, so to have done this well is amazing.

“However, it is not just about scholarship success. Our role as a ‘preparatory’ school is to ensure we prepare our pupils for the demands of senior school and this incredible cohort of children have proved they are so ready for them. Their senior schools are very lucky to have them”.

St Ives is part of United Learning, a group of schools in both the state and the independent sectors. The charitable trust currently educates more than 40,000 pupils and employs more than 7,000 members of staff, including more than 3,500 teachers.

Ian Young, head of independent schools at United Learning said: “It is an incredible achievement for three-quarters of the Year 6 pupils at St Ives to have been awarded a scholarship to their chosen senior schools. The diversity of the scholarships proves yet again the breadth and depth of the education that St Ives offers.”