Section One – Admissions Policy
SECTION ONE – ADMISSIONS POLICY
Rationale
Wickham Court School is a co-educational day school for pupils between the ages of 2½ to 16 years.
It is a non-selective school and welcomes pupils from all backgrounds, irrespective of nationality, religion, race, class or disability. Pupils are admitted throughout the year.
Process
After the initial enquiry, the parent, guardian or representative must visit the school to meet with the Head Teacher. The prospective pupil is not required to attend at this stage.
Early Years
In order to enter at Early Years level, children must be at least 2½ years old and able to use the toilet unaided. No interview or testing takes place at this stage.
Years 1 to 6
In order to enter at this level, children will have a friendly and informal interview with the Head Teacher. A sample of work from any previous school, together with a report is requested. If appropriate, the prospective pupil will be offered the opportunity to join a class for the day, have lunch with the pupils and enjoy playtimes.
From Year 3 upwards, prospective pupils are required to sit an extrance examination, the result of which is used for assessment only and not for selection for admission.
Years 7 to 11
Senior pupils are required to sit a 1½ hour entrance examination. They are interviewed by the Head Teacher and a comprehensive report is required from their previous school before a place is offered.
The results of the examination serves 2 purposes :
1. To assess the pupil’s academic ability
2. To establish whether or not an academic scholarship could be awarded
Pupils entering Year 7 at the September intake, an induction day is arranged for the previous July, for which a full range of events is planned. Pupils entering at any time after that will attend a trial day offered in the same way as it is at Junior level.
Registration
To secure a place, the parent or guardian must complete and sign the school’s registration form and submit it, together with a cheque for £50.
In the term before admission, a letter confirming the place is sent and a request is made for a non-refundable deposit as part payment of the first term’s fees. This is £200.00 for nursery and £400.00 for the rest of the school.
Reasons for refusing to admit a pupil
No pupil will be discriminated against on academic grounds or because of a non-disqualifying disability.
For a pupil who has had behavioural issues at a previous school, consideration must be given to the safety of other pupils and staff. In such an event, a pupil may be refused admission or admitted on a trial basis with the agreement of the parent or guardian.
Policy written June 2008.
Review on or before June 2009
Updated – September 2009
Review – September 2010