Admissions Policy

Trinity School

At all entry points the intention is to assess through age-appropriate means whether the child would benefit from an education at Trinity School and whether the child will contribute positively to the school community. Where appropriate, school reports will also be sought to augment the assessment methods used by the school.

We hope you find the Application Process document useful to you.

Entry to the Nursery (from age 3 months)

It is our intention to make our Nursery genuinely accessible to children and families from all sections of the local community. Consideration is also given to any medical conditions or special needs that a child may have and consultation with the Nursery or other bodies may be necessary before any final decision is made (see inclusion and equal opportunities policies). While Trinity Lodge is an integral part of Trinity School, which is registered with the DFES as a school with a distinctive religious character, pupils may be admitted from various religious or non-religious backgrounds. In order to accomplish this we will:

• Ensure that the existence of the Nursery is widely known. We will display information advertising the Nursery in places accessible to the general public.
• Priority is given to siblings who have a brother or a sister already attending the Nursery or School.
• Parents apply for a place on the enrolment form, paying the administration charge to secure a place, if there are no places available for the required start date the child may go on the waiting list. Once there is a place it will be confirmed in writing to the parent.
• All Parent/Child related policies are available to Parents at the Nursery.
• We provide opportunities for parents to discuss their needs and requirements for both their child/ren and themselves.

Entry to Reception Class

Potential pupils are invited to spend several trial mornings in the Reception Class during the course of the summer term prior to entry. This eases the transition to full-time schooling by providing a positive experience of school prior to the long summer holiday.

Entry to the Preparatory Department

Potential pupils are invited to spend a trial day (or days) in the Prep school during which time the relevant class teacher will conduct suitable assessments, purely verbal for KS1 entrance, written for KS2 entrance.

Entry to the Senior School at the age of 11

The main entrance tests are held in January every year with potential pupils being tested in English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning. However, the school has a very flexible approach to Year 7 entry and is prepared to consider pupils at any time of year as family circumstances change.

Entry at age 12 – 15

Also by exam and an interview with the Headmaster or Deputy Head. Students joining the school at times other than September are routinely tested on entry by the SENCO (spelling and reading ages and MALS).

For entry into the Sixth Form

Students are generally required to obtain 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above. Where this is not the case, students would need to be known to us or there would be exceptional circumstances and a trial period would be negotiated with parents. Where entrants do not have GCSE passes at grade C or above in English or Mathematics, they are required to attend re-sit GCSE classes during Y12 (and Year 13 if necessary) and re-enter the examination.

For overseas students from the age of 11 to 18 unable to attend for examination or without GCSE grades, we request a copy of their most recent reports so that we can assess their ability. If coming from Hong Kong for the Sixth Form, we look at their HKCEE (equivalent to our GCSE). If we are uncertain whether a candidate is suitable or require further information, we sometimes offer places subject to review by half term of the Autumn Term. In the case of less academically able Sixth Form candidates, we sometimes make strong recommendations to limit the number of subjects to three specified options.

For entry into any year group, if there is likely to be a need for SEN provision, our SENCO will assess the candidate in order to determine whether our provision will satisfy the pupils needs before we reach a decision. Likewise, if a potential pupil has a disability, we will assess whether the candidates needs can, realistically and reasonably, be met before we make a decision. Making such a decision will involve consultation of our Accessibility Plan.