Welcome to Leweston. Our admissions process is designed to ensure that we are the right match for your family and to welcome you into the Leweston community. The Admissions Team are available throughout to answer questions, explain the different steps and make sure that you have all the information you need.
COME FOR A VISIT
We encourage everyone to visit the school as early as possible.
We have an annual Open Morning in September but are pleased to welcome you for a guided tour and to meet the Headmaster, Mr Paget-Tomlinson, throughout the year. To arrange a mutually convenient time please contact the Registrar, Mrs June Smith on 01963 211015 or smithj@leweston.dorset.sch.uk.
YEAR 5 ACTIVITY DAY
All pupils who have expressed interest in joining Leweston are invited for an activity day when they are in Year 5. The day is a great opportunity for pupils to experience a fun day at the school and meet the other children who will be in their year group in the future.
APPLYING FOR A PLACE
The first step in the process for any admission is to complete and return the registration form using the link below, along with a registration fee of £100 which is non-refundable. We encourage families to register when their child is in Year 5. Applications will be acknowledged and you will continue to receive updates and news from the school. Registrations are considered in the order they are received, which can have an impact on any selection decision. We are happy to answer any queries relating to our registration process.
ISEB COMMON PRE-TESTS
Pupils joining from 2024 onwards will be asked to complete the Independent Schools Examinations Board Common Pre-Tests (ISEB Pre-Tests) as part of our assessment process. The ISEB Pre-Tests are online, multiple-choice assessments that incorporate Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English and Maths. Some pupils will sit these tests in their Preparatory Schools as part of their standard transition process. For pupils not doing this, an invitation will be extended to sit the tests at Leweston in the November of Year 6. At this point we will ask for a reference from your current headteacher and need to see previous school reports.
ASSESSMENT DAY
Once the ISEB tests are complete all pupils joining Years 7 and 9 will be invited to our Assessment Day which takes place on a Saturday morning in January. The morning consists of a range of team building and group activities as well as meetings with the Headmaster and Deputy Heads. All pupils are invited to stay for lunch after which they can return home. Pupils who apply after this event may be invited to a personal Assessment Day when they join one of the current classes and experience a normal timetable of lessons as well as sit the assessment papers. This option will be offered subject to availability.
CRITERIA FOR ENTRY
If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, it is possible for candidates to be unsuccessful in their application or placed on a waiting list until a space becomes free. When deciding upon the allocation of places into the school, offers will be made to those pupils who perform well across the school assessments, have positive references and are generally a good fit for the school. Leweston is a thriving, busy community which has high expectations of its pupils.
Successful candidates are 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, debating, community activities and sport. There are many co-curricular activities, all of which are important in developing a well-balanced, confident individual. The assessment process is not based entirely on academic performance and we welcome pupils with special educational or physical needs, providing that our Learning Support Department can offer them the support that they require to access the curriculum.
OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE
If you and the school are happy to progress after the Assessment Day we will offer a place. We will email you with our Parent Contract and Acceptance Form. Offers are typically open for a limited time only. You will be asked to secure your place by completing the Acceptance Form and paying a deposit (which is returned against your final school bill). Joining information will then be shared with you ahead of your child’s start date.
SCHOLARSHIPS
If your child is applying for a scholarship the application deadline in the January of Year 6 for 11+. Assessments take place later that month. More information on scholarships is available on our scholarships page.
JOINING YEAR 8
Offers for places in Year 8 are subject to availability. Pupils interested in Year 8 will be invited to spend a day at the school with the year group they will be joining. Your child will participate in a normal timetable of lessons and be accompanied throughout by a nominated pupil guardian. Your child will sit an age appropriate school assessment and attend a short informal interview with the Headmaster. After the day if you and the school are happy to progress we will formally offer a place.
If you have more questions about joining the school please visit our Knowledge Base, a library of frequently asked questions which can tell you more about the admissions process as well as life at Leweston.
