Admissions

When and how to apply

Kindergarten at age 2+ is our largest entry point, followed by Pre-Reception and Reception at ages 3+ and 4+, respectively. Our admissions process is child-friendly, and we look forward to meeting you.

Meet our Registrar, Catherine Ross, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Entry points

There are three main points of entry into the school, in the autumn term of each academic year (defined as 1 September to the following 31 August):

Kindergarten:
- For children turning 3 years old during the academic year, to attend 2-5 days per week. This is by far the largest entry point.
- Early joining for a limited number of half-day sessions is possible for a small number of children from the term after they have turned 2 years old (see Kindergarten experience for further information).
Pre-Reception: For children turning 4 years old during the academic year, at our main site.
Reception: For children turning 5 years old, at our main site.

Chance vacancies are also available for admission during the course of an academic year as well as for Years 1 and 2.

Admissions procedure

To register for a place, parents are required to complete a registration form which is available on the school’s website, and pay the applicable registration fee. Early registration is recommended as the date of registration can play an important role in the prioritisation of offers.

Because the date of registration can play an important role in our entry procedures, we recommend you register your child as soon as you consider the possibility of attending Herne Hill School – however far in the future this may appear. For a relatively modest fee (£110 for the entry points of Kindergarten or Pre-Reception, £132 inclusive of VAT for entry into Reception, Year 1 or Year 2), you will substantially boost your chances of being offered a place, thereby creating an option for yourself of accepting or declining it. As a parent of a registered child, you will also gain access to a password-protected content on our website reserved for registered prospective parents.

The registration deadlines and approximate assessment periods are as follows:

Entry point	Registration deadline	Assessment
Kindergarten	Two months prior to the start of the potential term of entry	Varies, depending on the potential term of entry
Pre-Reception	31 January	January/February
Reception	30 November	December – January

If these deadlines are missed, late registrations can still be accepted and individual assessment visits organised as long as chance vacancies are still available. Year 1 and Year 2 chance vacancies are also offered following an individual assessment.

The school’s admission procedure includes an informal assessment ahead of the desired point of entry that is age-appropriate for the year group in question. This assessment takes place during a visit to the school when the child is invited to join a play session during which we observe the child’s social interaction, behaviour, language and communication, numeracy, physical development and concentration skills.

Parents must inform the school of any additional arrangements required to ensure that their child can participate in this assessment. The school will consult with parents and such other persons or organisations as necessary in order to understand a child’s particular needs and the nature of any additional or alternative arrangements which would be required to meet them if an offer of a place was made.

Admissions criteria

Offers of a place are made of the basis of:

Sibling priority (younger sibling of a current pupil in the school or a former pupil who has graduated from Year 2).
The date of registration.
Our perception of the family’s long-term commitment to Herne Hill School, including whether or not older siblings who attended the school transitioned to the next year group and stayed through to Year 2 graduation.
Successful completion of the informal assessment, during which the candidate is able to demonstrate
- their ability to benefit from the school’s broad and varied curriculum;
- that they will make a positive contribution to the school community; and
- that they will behave in a manner which is consistent with the school’s legitimate aims and ethos.
The candidate’s parents demonstrating a commitment to the school’s legitimate aims and ethos.
If applicable, the school’s receipt of the most recent report from the candidate’s present nursery, pre-school or school.

Candidates for admission will be treated equally, irrespective of their or their parents’ disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Candidates will also be treated equally in respect of their parents’ age or marital or civil partnership status. Reasonable adjustments for disabled parents and candidates will be made where applicable.

All places are offered on the basis that the school can meet the needs of the candidate on the proposed date of entry and on an ongoing basis. All candidates must have the legal right to live and study in the UK.

Progression

It is expected that pupils will automatically progress through the school, subject to them meeting the required standards of behaviour and progress prevailing at the time and the school continuing to be able to meet their needs. Where there are concerns about the pupil’s progression, the Headteacher will consult with the pupil’s parents and such other persons or organisations as necessary in advance in relation to the child’s particular needs and what reasonable measures may be implemented to support them.

Where, following careful deliberation from the Headteacher and consultation with the parents, it is considered that the school cannot adequately meet the needs of a particular child, their parents may be asked to withdraw the child from the school. In such circumstances, reasonable support will be offered to help identify and facilitate transition to a suitable setting.

Pre-reception children playing with hoops

Pre-reception children reading on the mat