Admissions

Admissions Policy

All pupils whose parents wish them to join the College must undergo one of the following selection processes:

1. Entrance Exam (Y7) – early Spring Term
2. Entrance Exam – at any other time
3. Interview, Report and Reference from former school
4. Satisfactory GCSE record (for Sixth Form)
5. Interview and Test (age appropriate) for entry to Junior Department
6. Foundation Taster Sessions
7. Entrance achieved by exam (or other means) to school of similar standing and accompanying report from former school

We offer places to pupils of average or above average ability, or offer places to children who have some additional talent to offer and potential to develop.  In the first instance academic ability will be the major factor in the decision to offer a place or not but other factors are always sympathetically considered.  

Any disability and/or learning difficulty which may affect performance in exam conditions will also be taken into account in the final selection process.

The Spring Term 11+ Entrance Examination (Year 7 entry)

The main method of admission is the formal 11+ Entrance Examination held each Spring Term.  Three papers are set; an English comprehension and essay, a Mathematics paper and a test in verbal, numerical and perceptual reasoning.  Interviews are also undertaken between prospective pupils and Senior Staff.

References are requested from each child’s primary school.  Places offered are therefore based upon

1. Academic Performance in the Entrance Examination
2. School Reference
3. Interview
4. Any additional factors

The Academic Scholarships (see separate document) are awarded after the Entrance Examination.

In Year 7 there are a limited number of places organised in a three form intake; places are offered on this basis.  The decision of the College to offer places is final and although general feedback maybe given, following application individual and specific results will not be given. Abbey Gate College do not release practice papers but assessments are based on work covered in the Key Stage 2 Curriculum in order to ensure parity and fairness for all applicants.  

Details on additional Scholarships such as Music and Sport can be requested separately from the Admissions Office.         

Discipline and Exclusions

Details of our expectations of pupils regarding behaviour are included in the Behaviour Policy, Exclusions Policy, House System and Aldford Code of Conduct.   Disciplinary sanctions that maybe taken by the College in serious breaches are also included in separate policies such as our Anti bullying policy.   

In serious cases however the College may apply the following sanctions:

• Formal warning in writing
• Internal suspension within school
• Suspension from school (variable time scale)
• Parents maybe advised to remove a pupil
• In the most serious cases a pupil maybe permanently excluded

In all the above the College will be in contact with parents both verbally and in writing.  (Ref: Exclusion Policy)