Admissions Policy

Policy Statement

Hallfield is essentially an academic school for children aged 3 months – 11 age range. It is Hallfield’s policy to offer places to children who are likely to benefit from and contribute to the academic, sporting, cultural, moral and spiritual education that we provide. Hallfield has a Christian ethos but welcomes staff and children from many different ethnic groups, backgrounds and creeds. Human rights and freedoms are respected. In addition to academic ability and potential we look for a range of qualities and skills which children might contribute to school life.
Entry to the school is, in the main, through Hallfieldfirst, although there is limited entry directly into both Pre-Prep and Upper School according to availability of spaces.

AIMS
1. To welcome children from all backgrounds who have met the academic criteria.
2. To admit children who will benefit from an academic education and contribute to and benefit from the ethos and activities of this school community.
3. To treat all candidates on merit and in a sensitive manner.

DISABILITY
The school will undertake to do all that is reasonable to ensure that the school’s culture, policies and procedures are made accessible to children who have disabilities and to comply with our legal and moral responsibilities under the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 in order to accommodate the needs of applicants.
Parents of a child who has any disability or special educational needs should provide the school with full written details at registration or subsequently before accepting the offer of a place.
The school needs this information so that in the case of a child with particular needs, we can assess those needs and consult with parents about the adjustments that can reasonably be made to cater adequately for the child’s needs both during the admission process and if an offer of a place is made.
Similarly, if special educational needs or a disability become apparent after admission, the school will consult with parents about reasonable adjustments that may allow their child to continue at the school.

HOW TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD
All families wishing to apply for a place are encouraged to visit the school on an Open Morning or to make an appointment to visit the school during a working day. Pupils will be considered as candidates for admission and entry to the school once a Registration Form has been completed and returned to the school with the non-returnable registration fee of £60 paid. (No assessment will take place without a child being registered for a place).
Your child will then be invited to spend a part of a day or a day in the school, (depending on the child’s age) for an. assessment. You will be asked to arrive at the main entrance hall at 8.30am. Here your child will be met and taken to their class. A buddy is chosen to take care of your child during their visit and accompany them to lessons. Lunch is provided by the school

Children should wear their own school uniform and you are asked to collect your child at the end of the assessment in the entrance hall, where you will be met by the Marketing and Admissions Manager who will be able to discuss the visit and answer any further questions you may have.
You will be advised on the outcome of the assessment as soon as possible after the visit.

 OFFER OF A PLACE

The formal offer of a place for children entering any part of the school is subject to:
a) the availability of a place;
b) satisfactory assessment conducted at varying stages of the admissions procedures depending on the age of entry; (see below)
c) parents’ obligations to their child’s present school/nursery having been met in full from his/her current School;
The Results of assessments are not discussed with the parents or made public. An offer of a place is sent upon successful completion of an assessment. An Acceptance Form and a copy of our latest Terms and Conditions are issued and you are asked to read these carefully before accepting the place.
This offer is only considered to have been accepted when the Acceptance Form has been returned to the School Office duly completed, together with an Acceptance Deposit.

Final decisions regarding entry are made at the discretion of the Headmaster.

ADMISSIONS

Admission to Hallfieldfirst
Entry to Hallfieldfirst is from the age of three months and entry is at any time during the term. Children must attend for a minimum of two days per week. A settling in session is arranged prior to the child’s first session. Children who are registered at Hallfield first will automatically move to the Pre-Prep in the September following their second birthday.
(Hallfieldfirst places that are deferred without prior agreement with the Pre-Prep will be offered to children on our waiting lists.)
ADMISSION TO PRE-PREP

Admission to Transition
Entry to Transition is in the September following their second birthday. (They will turn three in this academic year).
Children must attend for a minimum of three days per week or five mornings. A meeting is held in the Transition following acceptance of a place to enable parents to meet staff and ask any questions that they may have.

Admission to Foundation Class
Children are admitted to Foundation in the September following their third birthday. (They will turn four in this academic year).
Once registered children are then asked to come in for an assessment. They engage in a variety of play activities which assesses learning readiness. All Children will attend full time Monday to Friday.
Places are only offered after successful completion of this assessment and on availability of a place.

Admission to Reception Class
Children are admitted to Reception is in the September following their fourth birthday. (They will turn five in this academic year).
Once registered children are then asked to come in for an assessment. They will spend a morning or afternoon with The Foundation Class. At this visit they engage in a variety of play activities which assesses learning potential. Children will be asked to do some work with a member of staff to assess their educational suitability for entry to Hallfield.
Places are only offered upon successful completion of this assessment and on availability of a place.

Admission to Year 1 and Year 2
Any parents requesting admission for children into Years 1 or 2 are invited to spend a day at the school; during this day we are able to assess their ability and suitability for a place.

ADMISSION TO UPPER SCHOOL Year 3 – 6
Entry to Year 3 is in the September following their seventh birthday. Following registration children are invited for assessment. This consists of written tests in Mathematics, English and Reading. Each child’s work is scrutinised and credit is given for what they can do rather than what they cannot do.

PROGRESSION THROUGH THE SCHOOL

Transfer from Hallfieldfirst to Pre-Prep
Children will normally progress automatically to the Prep-Prep following their time in Hallfieldfirst. However, if their behaviour or progress in Hallfieldfirst causes any reason for concern the Head of Pre-Prep will discuss with parents the ability of the child to cope with the pace in the Pre-Prep.
The Head of Pre-Prep has the right after discussion with the parents to refuse a place into the Pre-Prep.

Transfer from Pre-Prep to Upper School
Children will normally progress automatically to the Upper School following their time in the Pre-Prep. However, if a child’s progress in the Pre-Prep causes any reason for concern the Headmaster will discuss with parents the ability of the child to keep up the pace in the Upper School. The Headmaster has the right, after discussion with the parents to refuse a place into the Upper School.

Disclosures
Parents must, as soon as possible, disclose any particular known or suspected special circumstances relating to their child’s health, allergies, disabilities or learning difficulties, or other circumstances which may affect their child’s performance.

ASSISTED PLACES
The Governors of Hallfield School are committed to broadening access to the school by offering means-tested financial support with the payment of school fees. Such support is available to eligible parents/guardians through the Assisted Places Scheme. At present, the policy is to award 100% bursaries for children entering Years 1 to 6 from households with total gross income of no more than £20,000 p.a.
These places will be given with 100% discount on tuition fees payable depending on the financial, circumstances of the applicant.
Assisted Places are given on the basis of Hallfield School’s Scale of Awards and the scheme is reviewed and revised annually.