If you’re considering private education for your child and are wondering about the school admissions process, it’s worth bearing in mind that it works a little differently to the state sector.
Where to begin with the School Admissions Process?
You will need to identify clearly what you want, create a shortlist of suitable schools, and study their individual processes and requirements, and visit a few places to get a feel for them.
Applying for a place will then involve getting together proof of ID documents and completing a form before submitting your application as instructed.
Many independent institutions also ask candidates to sit entrance exams, typically covering core subjects such as English, alongside verbal and non-verbal reasoning assessments. Some use the Common Entrance exam, or a similar standard test, often provided by the Independent Schools Examination Board (IESB).
How to Prepare your Child for the Admission Process
You will want your child to be as prepared as possible, and often this is their first experience of a timed written paper, although of course it’s one of many they’ll sit in the years ahead. Access past papers and mock tests and discuss them with your child to be fully prepared.
Some private schools also have an admissions meeting, at which you can discuss your child’s suitability for a place there. Again – be prepared. Take along any paperwork that has been requested, plus a list of the questions you would like to ask.
In the state sector, the admissions process in schools works slightly differently. Parents apply through their local authority, typically online, and list places they would like their child to attend in order of preference. You need to do this separately, even if you are applying to an Independent school.
Each primary and secondary school has its own admission criteria, that determines which children receive offers of places if an institution is oversubscribed. If you do not get an offer of your first choice of school, you can ask to go on the waiting list or appeal the decision.
Admissions at St Joseph’s College
At St Joseph’s College, an independent Catholic school in Reading, Berkshire, for children aged three to 18, we run admissions a little differently. While academic ability is important, we also value other qualities. We look at the whole student, including their personality, when assessing prospective pupils for a place here.
Steps in our Process for Admitting Students:
- Come for a visit – we encourage parents and pupils to come along to open events including tours with students currently studying at St Joseph’s, taster sessions for our pre-school and coffee mornings with the head, as well as days designed to give children a feel for the senior school.
- After your visit, confirm your interest by completing the relevant registration form for your child’s age. (We also ask for a non-refundable administration fee at the same time). If places are oversubscribed, we will add your name to the registration list and get in touch if a place subsequently becomes available.
- Post-registration, we run an appropriate assessment for all children. Assuming that goes well, we will then offer a place subject to availability and operate waiting lists.
- For Year 7 and above, we also run interviews with a member of the senior leadership team.
- Parents or guardians pay a further deposit fee once they’ve accepted a place at St Joseph’s for their child.
Apply to St Joseph’s College today!
Read more about our school admissions process, including our terms and conditions, or email admissions@sjcr.org.uk with any queries.
And, as mentioned, we always encourage parents and prospective pupils to come and visit before they do anything else. Arrange your visit today at St Joseph’s College.
