Admissions Procedure

Although Chesham Prep is currently closed to visitors due to the Coronavirus outbreak, our Registrar, Sue Johnson, is still working to answer any of your queries. Please contact her on registrar@cheshamprep.co.uk or 01494 782619.

Chesham Preparatory School is pleased to accept applications for children to join in various age groups and maintains a partially selective policy for admissions. The school is, therefore, mixed-ability by nature and in keeping with its aims to provide an holistic, well-rounded education.

Foundation Stage and Key Stage One (Reception to Year 2)

There are no formal assessment, interview or testing arrangements for entry into the Nursery. Children hoping to join Reception, Year 1 & 2 are invited to “taster days” to ensure that the child will be able to cope with the curriculum. There is no specific pass mark required. During this visit to the school children can familiarise themselves with the school’s surroundings and see for themselves what it might be like to be a pupil at the school.

It is also important that the Headmaster can make a judgement whether or not a child would be able to access and benefit from the depth and breadth of the curriculum as they rise through the year groups. To that effect, in the event of an offer of a place not being made, the Headmaster (or his appointed deputy) will make an explanation to the parents, in writing if requested, as to the reasons why it was felt that such an offer was not deemed appropriate.

Key Stage Two and Three (Years 3 to 8)

Admission to the school from Year 3 onwards is conditional upon a successful assessment day and only confirmed upon receipt of a report from the pupil’s feeder school. Any reports or information from educational psychologists or other relevant bodies should also be supplied to help assist the school in its decision. The assessment process will usually involve an interview, verbal and non-verbal standardised testing and a diagnostic screening using a computer software programme. It is also important that the Headmaster can make a judgement whether or not a child is likely to benefit from the education on offer within the context of the school’s stated aims, ethos and behaviour policy. In the event of an offer of a place not being made the Headmaster (or his appointed deputy) will make an explanation to the parents, in writing if requested, as to the reasons why it was felt that such an offer was not deemed appropriate.

Registration

If a parent wishes a child to visit the school for an assessment day a registration form must be completed and signed by both parents unless by prior agreement with the school. This form must arrive at the school before any such visit and must be accompanied by the appropriate registration fee.

Allocation of places

Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis and at the discretion of the Headmaster or, in his absence, his appointed deputy. In the event of a year group being full, if the parents so wish and subject to a satisfactory pupil visit, the school will place a child on a waiting list.

Siblings

The Headmaster will, whenever possible and subject to availability, give preference to siblings of pupils already at the school provided that those parents have indicated on the registration form that this is the case.

Waiting list

The waiting list will be maintained in strictly chronological order by date of registration, subject to successful assessment. From time to time however the Headmaster reserves the right to offer places to siblings and to a boy or girl not at the top of the waiting list as per paragraphs above.

Deposit to confirm the offer of a place

When a firm offer has been made in writing parents will be invited to complete a form to confirm their acceptance of the place and will be asked to pay a deposit to secure the place. This deposit is non-refundable in the event of the child not subsequently taking up the place as arranged. Once a pupil has enrolled in the school the deposit will be held over until the end of the pupil’s last term at the school and refunded subject to any and all financial obligations being met by the parents. Where there are three or more siblings enrolled in the school at any one time the school will not request a deposit for any sibling after the second. In such a case the deposit paid in respect of the first sibling who leaves will be allocated to the then remaining second sibling and so on.

Fees in lieu of notice

All parents are bound by the school’s Terms and Conditions as accepted at the time the deposit is paid. Should a child be removed from the school without a full term’s written notice having been received, the parents will be liable to a full term’s fees in lieu of such notice. If a parent decides to withdraw their child before enrolment, written notice must be received by the first day of the preceding term or fees will become due in lieu.

Disability

The school will consider applications on behalf of children with a disability and will consider carefully whether enrolling the child would be appropriate and in the child’s best overall interests having regard to the level of care required, the practicalities of making any particular and reasonable adjustments, the available resources and, where relevant, any health and safety issues.

Two Dells Lane, Orchard Leigh, Chesham, Bucks. HP5 3QF

Tel: 01494 782619 Fax: 01494 791645