Admissions - Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer scholarships?

As a charity, we, in common with many independent schools, have changed the way we offer financial support to families.  All financial support is now determined on a means- tested basis.  Parents of children who are offered a place in Year 7, or whose child is moving from our junior to our Senior Section, are invited to apply for a bursary.  The results of these applications are made available before places have to be accepted.

Our scholarships for Academic , Music and Sporting  excellence are now Honorary awards.  We use the results of the entrance tests to determine the winners of the academic scholarships and we hold auditions for both sport and music performances.  The successful candidates have their names placed on the School's Honours boards and are acknowledged at the Annual Prize Giving ceremony.

We do not offer Honorary awards or means tested bursaries to any other year group.

In addition, we offer chorister bursaries to boys and girls who, after passing a voice trial, are invited to join the Cathedral's choirs as choristers.  All applicants have to satisfy the entrance criteria and join the school; they are prioritised on our waiting lists.  Boys and girls receive different levels of discount, which reflects the difference in their singing workload within the Cathedral.

Do you take children at any age?

Yes, so long as there is a space available. Spaces often do crop up due to families relocating, so please get in touch to check whether a place is available for your child's age group. 

How does our child become a chorister?

Applicants need to complete an application for a Voice Trial which is then passed on to the appropriate Director of the Choirs, either Mr Richard Moorhouse (boys) or Mr John York Skinner (girls).  If successful, and if there are spaces, the next stage is entrance testing for a place at the School.

What are your class sizes?

Our Nursery can cater for 40 children, the infant and junior sections each have two forms of 22 pupils and there are 21 in a form in the senior section of the school.  We have classroom assistants in all classes from Reception to Year 3.  In the senior school, many subjects are taught in ability sets or are chosen as options so the number will often be much less than 21.

We have just had a new baby, how soon do we need to register?

Parents wishing to place their child in our Nursery will need to register early.  Our Nursery fills quickly so we suggest you contact us before your child's first birthday!

What if we want our child to join the Senior Section?

We suggest you register your child with us once they enter Year 6 at their primary school.  We hold our assessments for Year 7 entry each January.  Tests are usually held on the third Saturday in January and are preceded by a taster day when all applicants are invited to spend a typical day with us.  We have found that this day benefits them enormously and when they return on the Saturday morning, they are at ease, having already made friends, found their way around and met the staff who will administer the tests.  Whilst we usually have more applicants than places, please do not be discouraged by the number of children attending the assessments.  Your child may be brighter than any of them!

Does my child need to pass an entrance examination to join the school?  If so, may we have past papers?

Yes, all children have to meet the school's entry requirements.   Before we offer places children are invited to attend school for a morning when appropriate assessments are undertaken.  These are age related and are skills based, rather than knowledge based so there is no preparation required and hence no past papers available.

• Nursery children pay a visit in the term prior to entry when they are observed and assessed by the Nursery staff whilst they play. Parents are welcome to stay with their child if they choose.
• Children wishing to join our Infant department spend a morning with us when, after settling in, they are assessed by an experienced teacher. We assess Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Reading, Spelling and Maths.
• Pupils wishing to join the Junior and Senior sections of the school sit CAT3 papers which measure Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning and Quantitative skills. In addition they write an essay and have a short informal interview with the appropriate Deputy Head.

We do not want children to be worried about the testing procedures so please reassure them that everything will be explained fully and they should just do their best and not worry!   If successful, they are welcome to spend one or two trial days with us before the place is accepted.  We want them to be as happy with us as we are with them!

Do you cater for children with special needs?

Whilst we do not have special needs classes at the school, we are able to offer support to certain children with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia.  Pupils are withdrawn from lessons for individual or small group support, for which there is an extra charge.  Please contact the Registrar who will put you in contact with the Head of our Learning Support Department, Mrs Christine Baker. She will be happy to discuss your child and advise you if we can meet his/her educational needs. 

When can we visit?

You are very welcome to visit us!  We hold regular informal open sessions and an individual visit can always be planned at a mutually convenient time.  The visits all start with a brief address from the Headmaster before tours with pupils are arranged.  We want you to see what interests you and for you to take your time so whenever possible; please allow at least an hour for your visit-or longer if you would like to see all areas.  We are very proud of our tour guides who are chosen at random - they are the best ambassadors we have and will answer your questions honestly. Their only brief is to be honest with our visitors and ‘tell it as they see it'. You will enjoy a tour with them.