Admissions' Policy

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Introduction

Christ Church Cathedral School applies its policy on admissions fairly and equally with regard to all those who wish to attend this school, paying particular note to the non-discrimination duties outlined in the Special Educational Needs & Disability Act [2001], the Education Act 2002, and subsequent legislation.

Aims and Objectives

  1. We welcome children from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
  2. All applications will be treated on merit and in a sensitive manner.
  3. Children may be admitted to Nursery in Michaelmas Term if they are or will become three years old on or before 31st December. For Hilary and Trinity terms the respective dates on or by which they must be three are 31st. March and 31st. August.
  4. Ours is an academically selective school and, from Form 1 level upwards, each child is assessed for entry in terms of aptitude and ability according to such criteria as may, from time to time, be determined by the Headmaster, working in conjunction with the Governing Committee and the Senior Management Team. Entry to the Nursery is not determined by assessment, but progression to the Pre-Prep Department is subject to a boy's meeting the criteria applied at Reception level.

The Assessment Process

The aim of the process is to identify potential. We are looking for well-rounded pupils with a genuine interest in education in the broadest sense of the word, with interests that stretch beyond the confines of the academic curriculum. The school has strong traditions in music, drama, art and sport. There are many extra-curricular activities, all of which are important in developing a well-balanced, confident individual.

No specific preparation for the entrance tests is needed: all candidates start on an equal footing, with identical opportunities to display their academic aptitude.

  1. It is our wish to allow parents the right to have a place at their school of choice but this may not always be possible when there is excess demand for the school places available.
  2. We shall do everything possible to ensure that a disabled pupil is not placed at a substantial disadvantage. Our school makes provision from within its resources to address the requirements of those children who may have disabilities and special needs, but those resources are finite. Where a child with special needs shows evidence of the requisite level of ability, as outlined above, a place offer will be made on the basis of our assessment of our ability properly to meet the needs of that child from within the resources available to us, the possibilities of making reasonable adjustments to our educational arrangements and facilities having been investigated.

In judging what reasonable adjustments can be made we take into account:

  • The need to maintain academic, musical, sporting and other standards
  • The financial resources available
  • The cost of taking a particular step
  • The extent to which it is practicable so to do
  • Health and Safety requirements
  • The interests of other pupils
  • Planning and Listed Building constraints

Sibling Policy

Many siblings join our School. However, admission is not automatic, and there may be occasions where we judge that a sibling is likely to thrive better in a different academic environment.

Fluency in English

In order to cope with the academic and social demands of our School, pupils must be fluent English speakers. In an ideal world pupils would have been educated in the English medium for some time before coming to the school. We do, however, both accept and welcome boys to the school, provided that the assessment criteria above are met, who have little or sometimes no experience of English. Here it is crucial both that parents agree to tuition in English as an Additional Language (EAL) [for which an additional charge is made] and that they are committed to helping boys at home, reinforcing work at school.

Religious Beliefs

Although we are a Christian foundation, we do not select for entry on the basis of religious belief, and we are flexible in offering the opportunity for those of other faiths, where necessary, to attend specific events and ceremonies. However, parents should be aware that, for example, daily Assembly is Christian in nature, and that our aims and ethos reflect the Christian way of life.

School's Contractual Terms and Conditions

Copies are on our website and will be made available to parents as part of the admissions' process.

Complaints

We hope that you and your child do not have any complaints about our admissions' process; but copies of our complaints' procedure [Sharing Concerns] can be sent to you on request.

Class Size

We teach sixteen boys in our Reception Class, seventeen in Y1 and eighteen in Y2.  The number of boys in Y3 to Y8 does not normally exceed 20. There is one Form per year group.

Review

The Headmaster and SMT will review this policy annually. Additional individuals with relevant expertise may be co-opted at this time.

The terms of reference for the review are:

  • To review the school's policies, procedures and facilities as they are likely to affect pupils and prospective pupils who are disabled
  • To make recommendations with a view to improving the accessibility of our educational provision in its many aspects to pupils or prospective pupils with disabilities by means of reasonable adjustments and by planning for the future