Admission Policy – Juniors

Admission to The Junior School is open to all who meet our entry requirements, regardless of gender, race, religious, socio-economic or cultural background. In The Junior School, we aim to prepare pupils with a sound traditional education whilst also ensuring that we cover the National Curriculum requirements, teach a broad range of subjects and organise extra-curricular activities to enthuse and interest each individual.

Younger children thrive under the expertise and care of class teachers, whilst the older pupils are taught by subject specialists. The middle years enjoy a mixture of both, with a class teacher maintaining stability, whilst teaching approximately half of the class lessons.

The Junior School Assessment Days are held on the third Thursday of every month, although other days may be arranged.

The Kits (Pre-School Year)

The Squirrels (Reception Class)

Any child who is four years old before 1 September is eligible to join the Squirrels class.

Prospective Kits and Squirrels will be invited in for an afternoon visit.  This is an opportunity to ensure that the child would be happy in this environment.

J1/J2

Prospective pupils are invited to spend a whole day with the class they wish to join.  During their visit they will complete a reading test and an appropriate literacy and numeracy activity.  They will also have an opportunity to work and socialise with their peers with a focus on their personal, social and emotional development.

J3-J6

Prospective pupils are invited to spend a day in The Junior School. During their visit they will complete assessment tests in Mathematics, English and Reading and will have the opportunity to work and socialise with their peers. The class teacher will observe their interaction with other pupils, behaviour and general attitude towards work.

All prospective pupils must bring their most recent school report, evidence of their National Curriculum attainment levels in Mathematics and English, a current reading book and some examples of recent school work.

Subject to a satisfactory performance in these tests and an encouraging school report, the offer of a place will be made.

Offers of a Place

An offer of a place to a candidate at The Junior School is valid for 14 days (after which time, the place may be offered to another child on the waiting list). Upon acceptance of the offer of a place, parents are asked to place a £600 Acceptance Deposit. The Acceptance Deposit is reimbursed to parents when the candidate leaves the school, but is forfeited should the candidate not take up the place offered.

Over Subscription

If more candidates pass the entrance criteria than there are places available in any year group, then places will be awarded based on performance in their Assessment Tests. Candidates who are not offered places but otherwise have passed the entrance criteria, will be offered a place on the waiting list. If The Junior School is required to decide between two or more candidates of approximately equal academic ability who have met all the admission requirements, we may give preference to:

1.       A child who already has a sibling in the school or whose father or mother were former pupils.
2.       A child who has been registered for a considerable period of time.

Children with Special Educational Needs

The Junior School has limited facilities for learning support other than that offered to all pupils through our normal academic and pastoral systems. Parents of prospective pupils who anticipate that their child may require some form of learning support should check with the School in order to confirm whether their child’s needs could be supported. If, after a pupil has been accepted into The Junior School, the teaching staff considers that the child has Special Educational Needs, then, either the child’s Class Teacher or the SEN Co-ordinator will inform the parents and open up dialogue in order to ensure the best possible support. In some cases it may be the School’s opinion that the educational needs of the child cannot be successfully catered for at The Junior School.

Candidates Age

Very occasionally, The Junior School may offer places to pupils one year ahead or behind their standard year group, if we consider (as a matter of professional judgement, based on their assessment, academic criteria and maturity) that this would be in the best interests of the pupil and the school.