Admissions Policy
Aims
Abbey Gate School aims to give parents as much information as possible about the school and the education we provide.
We aim to make each child’s start in school both happy and successful.
We aim to begin a lasting partnership with parents and children.
General Procedures for Entry
Children are admitted in each year group to a maximum of 20.
Upon receipt of a request, a copy of the school’s Prospectus will be sent out. This will include a notice detailing current fees.
Prospective parents are encouraged to make an appointment to see the Head Teacher and to look around the school (with or without their child), to watch the children at work, meet teaching staff and experience the ethos and atmosphere of the school. Where possible, no child is admitted until personal contact has been made.
If parents wish to proceed with entry, they will be asked to complete an Application Form and pay a small deposit.
Once a place has been offered, parents are sent a copy of the Terms and Conditions together with a form to be signed acknowledging acceptance both of a place at the school for their child and also of the Terms and Conditions.
They will also receive a copy of the Parents Handbook giving information about the following;
Daily Routines
Academic Matters
Uniform
Absence Routines
Discipline
Communication
Activities and Events
Health Matters
Care of Property
Religious Life of the School
P.T.A.
Parking
Parents with a child already at another school in the area are asked to discuss the possible transfer with the Head Teacher of that school.
Abbey Gate School will not accept a child from another independent school unless the desired notice has been given at that school and all financial obligations have been fulfilled.
Once a child has been admitted, parents are asked to keep in close contact with the class teacher to ensure that their child’s entry to Abbey Gate School goes smoothly.
Early Years Admission
The Nursery at Abbey Gate School accepts children between the ages of two and a half and four years, providing that toilet training is complete.
Entry into the Reception class is in the September following the child’s fourth birthday.
Children can be accepted into the school at any time during the school year and will be placed in the class appropriate to their age.
At Abbey Gate we appreciate the need to introduce children into school sensitively. Once a place has been confirmed, the child will be invited into school for a pre-school visit. These visits allow the child to get to know their teacher and other children in the class and to become familiar with the layout of the building and the daily routines.
Parents are welcome to bring their child into the classroom on this occasion, but will be encouraged to leave the child in the care of the teacher after a short while.
Nursery children usually attend school on a full-time basis, but part-time entry can be arranged if this is thought to be in the best interests of the child.
Post Foundation Stage Entry
Children may be admitted to Abbey Gate School at any time up to Year 6. A pre – entry visit will always be arranged if possible.
All children at Abbey Gate School are encouraged to welcome new children into school so that each child’s transition is a happy and successful one.
The class teacher will carefully monitor the child’s social and emotional well-being during this period.
On entry, the class teacher will assess the child’s numeracy and literacy to gauge the levels at which the child is working and to diagnose whether extra support or formal assessment is necessary and to ensure that there is continuity in the child’s education. The child’s progress will be carefully monitored.
