FAQ

1. When are the main entry points into the school?
We welcome girls from 3+ into our Nursery, 4+ into Reception.  Year 3 is also a popular piont of entry however girls do join the Junior School in all age groups durign the year.  Intake into the senior school is mainly at 11+ and 16+. However, applications for admission at other ages are always welcome. The junior and nursery departments of the school cater for girls from 3-11.

2. Why do you select your students and what form does the selection take?
Our selection progress recognises potential and we look for pupils that will not only make a positive contribution but those who will make the most of the opportunity.  In the senior school we admit about 45 external candidates at the 11+ stage to add to those transferring directly from the junior school. For 11-16 entry, we select external candidates by entry test. Entrants from our junior school take a Transfer Assessment in January. For 16+ entry, we select by interview and public examination results. Although our entry test is selective, in practice not all our girls are highly academic but do exceptionally well in value added terms.

3. What about girls with special needs?
We give all the allowances that would be given in public exams to those who have diagnosed special needs. Please note we will need a formal educational psychologist’s report. For example: If your daughter is dyslexic, and you tell us in advance, we will give her the extra time allowance she needs when she comes to take the test. If English is not your first language at home, allowances will be made on the English and Verbal Reasoning papers. There is not a specific curriculum for special needs pupils – however, if your daughter does gain a place at our school, and has a special educational need, we will do our best to support her throughout her school career including regular meetings with our SENCO. We will only offer your daughter a place at this school if we are confident that she will be able to cope with the pace and type of work we do, and will be happy here.

4. What is included in the fees and is any remission on offer?
Our fees are both extremely competitive and all inclusive. Fees cover tuition (other than optional extra subjects), all stationery, textbooks and scientific materials, all public examinations (bar resits) and other standardised tests, including pupil careers' testing, and some curricular trips and field studies. Scholarships and bursaries are also available. As part of the Girls' Day School Trust we are able to offer scholarships to the 11+ and 16+ intake. The 11+ scholarships are awarded to those girls who perform best in the entrance test. The 16+ scholarships are based on the performances of Year 10 girls in their end of year examinations and an interview with the Head. None of these scholarships are means related, all are open to internal and external candidates. The school is also able to offer some means-tested bursaries which are designed to help any academically able girl whose parents could not otherwise afford our fees to receive an education suited to her needs here. The Girls’ Day School Trust allocates a sum of money for bursaries for this school; therefore, the number of bursaries on offer depends on the scale of the individual needs of those to whom we would like to offer a place.

5. What happens if we decide to proceed with an application to the school?
In the Junior School the girls will often visit on a taster day.   Our assessment procedure is low key but seeks to assess potential.  In the Senior School, you and your daughter will be invited for an interview with the Head of Year. Although this visit is a formal part of the selection procedure, it is designed to make your daughter feel slightly more at home when she comes to take the test and to give you the opportunity to ask any further questions you may have or to tell us of any special circumstances which you feel we need to take into account when assessing your daughter. We very much hope you will want to proceed with an application to this highly successful school. If you have any further questions about the admissions procedure, or any other aspect of the school, please don’t hesitate to contact the school Admissions Manager on 01273 280170 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.