Joining Year 9

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.

Leweston is a thriving, busy community that has high expectations of its pupils. Whilst we test all the pupils who apply to join us our assessment process is not based entirely on academic performance. We welcome 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.

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.

Visit Us

We encourage everyone to visit the school as early as possible.

We are pleased to welcome you for a guided tour and to meet the Headmaster, Mr Paget-Tomlinson, throughout the year.

Registration

The first step in the process for any admission is to complete and return the registration form, 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.

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 some of the other children who will be in their year group in the future.

ISEB Common Pre-Test

Pupils are asked to complete the Independent Schools Examinations Board Common Pre-Tests (ISEB Pre-Tests). The ISEB Pre-Tests are online, multiple-choice assessments that incorporate Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English and Maths. Pupils are asked to sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests in the November of Year 6. Most will do this at their own Preparatory Schools but for pupils not able to do this an invitation will be extended to sit the tests at Leweston. At this point we will ask for a reference from your current headteacher and need to see previous school reports.

Applicant Activity Day

Once the ISEB tests are complete, all pupils 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 and finishes with lunch. 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.

Offer and Acceptance

If you and the school are happy to progress after the Activity Day we will offer a place. We will email you with our Parent Contract and Acceptance Form. Offers are made to pupils in Year 6 to assist parents with their decision making process and provide early certainty of a place.

If we feel that an applicant in Year 6 does not meet the entrance requirements, we will provide details about possible areas to focus on and invite them to join the assessment day again in Year 7.

During Year 8 we will ask your child’s school for an updated report and there will be other, frequent, opportunities for both you and your child to visit.

Common Entrance

Some pupils joining Leweston from independent preparatory schools take Common Entrance exams which are sent to Leweston for marking, however Common Entrance is not a requirement for our admissions process.

Scholarships

Leweston offers scholarships for Academic Excellence, Art and Design, Drama, Music, Pentathlon, Equestrian and Sport. The application deadline is in January of Year 8 for 13+. Assessments take place later that month.

Induction

Joining information is shared with you well ahead of your child’s start date, and all new pupils are invited for a 'Move Up Day' in June so they can start to acclimatise to their new school.

Joining Other Years

Offers for places in Years 10 and 11 are subject to availability. Pupils interested in Years 10 and 11 will be invited to spend an Assessment 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. It should be noted that places in Years 10 and 11 are subject to GCSE choices and at Year 11 we cannot always match your child’s current programme of study.