Admissions Process

Attending one of our Open Mornings is the best way to find out more about Pre-Reception and The Acorn Centre, and is recommended for all parents and guardians of children aged four and under.

If you are unable to attend an Open Morning, private visits to The Acorn Centre can be arranged by our Admissions Department.

The next step is registration to confirm your interest and your preferred start date. Places in Pre-Reception are offered in the academic year in which your child turns four, subject to availability. There is a high demand for places in Pre-Reception and you are advised to register early.

A £100 (£150 for international applicants) non-returnable administration fee is payable on registration.

We offer Stay & Play sessions in The Acorn Centre for two to three year olds and their parents or guardians. You can meet our Head and speak to The Acorn Centre staff, then join the Pre-Reception class for a fun and interactive session. These sessions give you and your child the opportunity to become familiar with The Acorn Centre, ahead of joining St Joseph’s.

Your child will be invited into school for a morning, during which time an assessment will take place appropriate to the age of the child. They will spend the rest of the morning in class. Places in The Acorn Centre are usually offered for children to join in the academic year in which they turn four. The minimum weekly attendance is a total of two full school days, comprising full days (8.20am to 3.20pm) or mornings (8.20am to 1.00pm), or a combination of both. We encourage your child to attend full-time in the summer term before transitioning to the Reception class.

If your child passes the assessment, they will be offered a place, subject to availability. A £500 deposit is payable when you accept the place. This is only refundable if your child leaves St Joseph’s at the end of Year 6 or Year 13.

While the majority of children join us in Pre-Reception, pupils may be considered for entry into Reception or other year groups, should places become available.

For children wishing to join in Reception to Year 6, we advise attending one of our Discover Prep: Tour & Coffee with the Head sessions.

The next step is registration to confirm your interest. Places in Reception – Year 6 are offered subject to availability. If a place is not immediately available, your child will be added to the waiting list and you will be contacted if a place subsequently becomes available.

Attending one of our termly Senior School Open Mornings is the best way to find out more about St Joseph’s. Parents, guardians and pupils are taken on a tour of the school by current pupils, listen to a talk by the Head and have the opportunity to ask questions over refreshments.

Our annual autumn Open Evening is a key event and includes a showcase of activities organised by staff and pupils. Private visits can also be arranged through our Admissions Department.

The next step is registration to confirm your interest. Places in Year 8 to Year 10 are offered subject to availability. If a place is not immediately available, you will be added to the waiting list and you will be contacted if a place subsequently becomes available.

A £120 (£180 for international applicants) non-returnable administration fee is payable on registration.

The deadline for registration for Year 7 is 31 October, for a September start the following year.

Attending our Experience Day in June is an excellent opportunity for you to experience a typical school day, try out our facilities and meet teachers and other pupils.

The application process involves an interview and an entrance assessment. Interviews typically take place in the autumn term before potential entry the following September, however it is possible to join at other times of the year, if places are available.

Assessment Day takes place in January each year for a September start. This consists of an online skills assessment (including verbal and non-verbal reasoning) and a written Descriptive Writing paper. Assessments can be held at other times of the year subject to the availability of places. Offers are made based on your interview, entrance assessment performance, your school report and school reference.

A £500 acceptance fee is payable when you accept the place. This is only refundable when you leave St Joseph’s at the end of Year 13.

Attending our Sixth Form Open Evening in mid October is the best way to find out more about St Joseph’s.

Private visits can also be arranged through our Admissions Department throughout the year.

The next step is registration to confirm your interest. Places in the Sixth Form are offered subject to availability.

A £120 (£180 for international applicants) non-returnable administration fee is payable on registration. The deadline for applications is 1 November for entry the following September.

Sixth Form interviews with the Head and Head of Sixth Form take place in late November. Applicants are also invited to join current Year 11 St Joseph’s students on the College’s Sixth Form Taster Day. This gives you the opportunity to try out A Level subjects that you may wish to study, experience St Joseph’s and meet teachers and other students.

Offers are made before Christmas and are conditional on meeting the GCSE entry requirements for each A Level choice.

A £500 deposit is payable when you accept the conditional offer of a place.

In June each year, Year 5 pupils from local Primary and Prep Schools are invited to spend a day at St Joseph’s College to find out what it’s like to be part of our Senior School. The day is a great opportunity for children to meet other pupils, who may be interested in joining St Joseph’s, and to experience a typical school day.

The day is open to all and does not require application for a place at St Joseph’s beforehand.