Admissions Policy

Registration for entry can be made at any age. It is usual for parents to visit the school before registering their child.

Hollygirt accepts children aged 3 to 16 years.

Our full Admissions Policy can be read here, below is a summary.

Criteria for Entry

a) Pupils must be of the correct age and maturity to enter a particular year group. From time to time, where there are unusual circumstances, pupils may be admitted ‘out of year’ where the Head is satisfied that it is in the interests both of the pupil and of the school community for this to occur.

b) Pupils must be of an appropriate aptitude and ability range to be able to benefit from an education at Hollygirt.  We cater for children with a range of academic and social needs.

c) Where the child already attends school, every effort will be made to obtain a report from their current school attesting to their satisfactory conduct and educational record.  For children joining from other independent fee-paying schools, we ask that financial obligations are fulfilled.

d) Attention is drawn to the school’s Equal Opportunities Policy which sets out the school’s commitment to the rejection on unfair discrimination.

e) Parents are required to provide details of any diagnosed learning need or disability and any social, emotional or behavioural needs in relation to a prospective pupil at the time of application on the Registration Form, or by separate letter if preferred.  If any specific needs are identified at this stage, or on assessment or at some future point, the Head will discuss with the parents the adjustments the school is able to make to meet these needs (see Disability Equality and SEND Policy).  In assessing any prospective pupil, the school may take such advice and require such professional assessments as it regards appropriate.  Some additional charges for 1:1 support may apply.


Kindergarten/Reception Class (Early Years Foundation Stage – EYFS)

There is open admission from age 3 depending on the availability of places and readiness for a structured environment.  Readiness is defined as the ability to manage feeding and toileting independently and to be capable of understanding and complying with basic instructions.  We expect that all Kindergarten children will build up to full time, starting on a minimum of three full days.  Reception places are full-time.

Nursery Funding

Kindergarten children are eligible for universal funding for 15 free hours.  This is by agreement with Nottingham City Council, but is applicable for pupils from other counties.  Funding is available from the term after the child is 3 years old.  For example, if a child is 3 in February, they are entitled to the free funding from the Summer term onwards.  This is for the Kindergarten class only and does not apply to children in the Reception class.

Eligible 3 and 4-year-olds in our Kindergarten can access 30 hours of funding.  Please visit the Gov.uk website for more information on eligibility criteria.

Any additional sessions, plus lunch and/or supper on funded days are subject to charge.

Please contact us for more information on Nursery funding. 


Years 1 to 6 (KS1 and KS2)

Admission is dependent on the availability of places and readiness for a Hollygirt education.  Children spend a Taster Day with us, joining their peer group on a normal school day.  Their social skills, attitude to learning, behaviour and an indication of their academic ability will be assessed by teaching staff although no formal tests will be taken.  All pupils in the Prep School are guaranteed a place in the Senior School unless there are exceptional circumstances which suggest a pupil will not benefit from the Senior School curriculum.  In this case, the Head will alert parents when pupils are still in Year 5 or early in Year 6.  Pupils in Year 6 take the Entrance Day for entry into Year 7 with those seeking admission from external schools.


Year 7 (KS3)

The Entrance Day for pupils who will be 11 on or before 31st August in the year of entry to the Senior School takes place during the previous Spring Term, usually mid-January.  The Entrance Day is not a formal assessment.  The pupils will be placed into small groups and take part in a number of lessons with key teachers which will give us an indication of their abilities, aptitudes, attitudes to learning and social skills.  Additionally, each pupil will have an interview with the Head or a senior member of staff.  Places are offered to pupils who display qualities which suggest they will respond to a Hollygirt education.  Offer letters will be sent out as soon as possible after the Entrance Day and parents are asked to reply by the first Tuesday in March.  Waiting list places are also offered if demand exceeds available places.


Years 8, 9 and 10

Pupils seeking admission to Years 8, 9 and 10, when there is a place available, spend a full day in school with the relevant peer group during which their abilities, aptitudes, attitudes to learning and social skills are assessed.  They will receive an interview with the Head or a member of the senior staff on this day. Pupils must produce their latest report from their current school attesting not only to their satisfactory conduct but also showing evidence of a suitable level of ability.  For entry to Year 10, pupils should be able to access a GCSE curriculum.


Mid-Year 10 and Year 11

It is unusual for a pupil to transfer to Hollygirt during or at the end of Year 10.  In exceptional circumstances where a very similar curriculum has been followed, pupils will be interviewed by the Head and by key subject teachers to ascertain whether moving school at this unusual stage is in the pupil’s best interest.  Pupils will be requested to bring to interview current files of school work/reports.

 



Please refer to our full Admissions Policy for more information.

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