North London Collegiate School
Admissions Policy
Introduction
Most girls are admitted to North London Collegiate School ("the School") following annual assessments at 4+, 7+, 11+ or 16+. The 4+, 7+, 11+ assessments are held in the January prior to entry in the following September. 16+ assessments are held in November prior to entry in September the following year. The School has a Christian ethos but welcomes staff and children from many different ethnic groups, backgrounds and creeds. Human rights and freedoms are respected.
In addition to academic ability and potential we look for a range of qualities and skills which girls might contribute to school life. We seek to admit able girls from all backgrounds and to facilitate this we operate an extensive coach system.
Aims
- To welcome girls from all backgrounds who have met the academic criteria.
- To admit girls who will benefit from an academic education and contribute to and benefit from the ethos and activities of this school community.
- To treat all candidates on merit and in a sensitive manner.
Disability
The School will undertake to do all that is reasonable to ensure that the School’s culture, policies and procedures are made accessible to children who have disabilities and to comply with our legal and moral responsibilities under the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 in order to accommodate the needs of applicants.
Parents of a child who has any disability or special educational needs should provide the School with full written details at registration or subsequently before accepting the offer of a place.
The School needs this information so that in the case of a child with particular needs, we can assess those needs and consult with parents about the adjustments that can reasonably be made to cater adequately for the child's needs both during the admission process and if an offer of a place is made.
Similarly, if special educational needs or a disability become apparent after admission, the School will consult with parents about reasonable adjustments that may allow their child to continue at the School.
Admissions Procedures
The closing dates for applications are published on the School website and in school literature.
All families applying are encouraged to visit the School on an Open Day or make an appointment to visit the school during a working day.
Offers of places and acceptances are made to a published timescale which is agreed with other local schools.
A waiting list is compiled and parents are offered the opportunity to be considered for future vacancies a year after the initial assessment through the non-standard entry procedure.
The results of assessments are not discussed with the parents or made public.
Places are offered in line with the number of girls the School can accommodate. To date there are:
Approximately 40 places in Reception at 4+.
Approximately 8 to 10 places at 7+
Approximately 60 places at 11+
Approximately 20 places at 16+
Final decisions regarding entry are made at the discretion of the Headmistress.
All siblings follow the assessment procedure and they must reach a required standard before a place is offered.
Our admissions procedure has the following elements:
· Competitive entrance tests
· Interviews
· References
First School Admissions
Entry to the First School is at age 4. Applications are registered between May and November of the year before entry is required. The first stage of the assessment takes place in early January. Girls are seen initially in small groups according to their age. They engage in a variety of play activities which assesses learning readiness. Short listed candidates are selected for a further interview which involves a group activity and individual work with a member of staff. Age is a consideration and allowances are made for girls who are younger. References from playgroups and nursery schools are requested.
Lower School Admissions
Entry to Year 3 is at age 7. Applications are registered between May and November of the year before entry is required. Entrance tests take place in January. The first stage consists of written tests in Mathematics, English and reading. Short listed candidates are then called back for a small group interview and a lesson. From this short list a final selection is made. References from schools are requested. Each girl’s work is scrutinised and credit is given for what she can do, rather than what she cannot do. Age is a consideration and allowances are made for girls who are younger.
Senior School Admissions
Entry to Year 7 is at age 11. . Applications are registered between May and November of the year before entry is required. The Entrance examination takes place in January. The School is a member of the North London Independent Girls’ Schools’ Consortium. Candidates sit two papers set by the consortium; on the basis of the results of these papers selected candidates are invited for interview. The candidate's present school is asked for a reference.
The Consortium’s agreed code of practice for entry at Year 7 is published with the School prospectus. In the case of special needs, parents may request extra time or special consideration in the examinations if the need is supported by a recommendation from a professional body.
Sixth Form Admissions
Applications are accepted between July and the first Saturday of the November preceding admission. Candidates are invited for one day of entrance tests in November in the four subjects which they are planning to study at AS and or A level or IB. Short listed candidates are subsequently called for interviews with the appropriate senior members of departments. The candidate’s present school is asked for a reference and for GCSE predications. When a candidate is offered a place it is usually unconditionally, on the basis of the entrance tests.
Occasionally applications for the Sixth form may be considered post GCSE if places are available.
Non Standard Admissions
Should a place become available in a particular year group all candidates who have registered for the appropriate year will be contacted and offered an assessment on a specified date. There must be at least one academic year between assessments. Places will only be offered subject to satisfactory academic standard, interview and reference.
Progression Through the School
Transfer from First to Lower school
The girls in Yr 2 sit the 7+ entrance tests in the same way as the external candidates but they are not in competition for their places. A pupil who has progressed through the First School will normally transfer to the Lower School but if there is any cause for concern the parents will be notified in writing and progress through the Lower School closely monitored.
Transfer from Junior to Senior School
The girls in Year 6 sit the 11+ entrance examination in the same way as the external candidates but they are not in competition for their places. A pupil who has progressed through the Junior School will normally be offered a place in the Senior School. If the performance in the examination and/or the pupil’s class work gives cause for concern the internal candidates may be interviewed following the examination, in the same way as the external candidates to ensure that they will be able to keep up with the pace in the Senior School. The Headmistress has the right, after discussion with the parents to refuse the place.
Parents must give a term’s notice in writing (i.e. before the start of the Summer Term) if they do not intend to proceed to the next stage of the School, or a term’s fees in lieu of notice will be payable.
Disclosures
Parents must, as soon as possible, disclose any particular known or suspected special circumstances relating to their child’s health, allergies, disabilities or learning difficulties, or other circumstances which may affect their daughter’s performance.
Special Circumstances
We recognise that a candidates performance may be affected by particular circumstances, for example if:
· she is unwell when taking tests or has had a lengthy absence from her school
· there are particular family circumstances such as a recent bereavement
· there is relevant educational history, for example education outside the British system
· the candidate has a disability or specific learning difficulties
· English is not the candidate's first language
Additional Factors
The School is oversubscribed. If we have to decide between two or more candidates who meet our admission requirements after all appropriate allowances and special consideration has been given, we may give preference to:
· A girl who already has a sister in the School or whose parent is a former pupil here
· A girl whose parent is a current member of our staff
· A girl with a particular skill, talent or aptitude
Scholarships and Bursaries
North London Collegiate School is committed to providing opportunity regardless of financial means as far as the school Bursary funds will allow.
Governors’ bursaries (up to 100% fees) are available for successful 11+ and 16+ candidates in the case of financial need. Bursaries are means tested and subject to annual review. Pupils holding bursaries may also be given help with expenses such as school field trips.
Academic scholarships (up to 50% fees) are awarded at 11+ and 16+ on the strength of performance in the entrance examination and interview. No additional scholarship examinations are held.
Music scholarships (up to 50% fees) are available to at 11+. Girls must pass the entrance examination, interview and a music audition.
Girls may hold a scholarship combined with a bursary to the maximum value of 100% of school fees.
Details about scholarships and application for bursaries are given with the prospectus.
Monitoring and Review
This policy is monitored regularly by the Deputy Head and Head of Junior School. It is reviewed every two years.
JMN/BJP
September 2008