Admissions

Infant School Admissions

For children joining Reception, Infant 1 or Infant 2. We aim to make the process welcoming and age-appropriate, giving your child the opportunity to feel comfortable and show us how they learn, communicate and interact.

The admissions process

1. Enquire and visit – Contact our Admissions team and arrange a visit to the Infant and Junior School.
2. Apply – Complete the relevant application through our Admissions Portal.
3. Come. Explore. Discover – Reception applicants take part in a play-based classroom observation. Children applying for Years 1 and 2 complete age-appropriate English and Maths activities alongside classroom observation.
4. Meet the team – Families and pupils have the opportunity to meet the Head of the Infant and Junior School and teachers, as part of the admissions process.
5. Offer and next steps – Following the explore and discover process and, where applicable, a satisfactory reference from your child’s current setting, we will contact you regarding the offer of a place and next steps.

Reception 2027 Explore and Discover Sessions

Our Reception Explore and Discover Days give us the opportunity to observe and play with your child within the classroom and form an important part of the admissions process. We understand that children can respond differently in a new environment, and our team works with each child to help them feel relaxed and enjoy their time with us.

If you would like your child to join us in our Reception Class for the 2027 academic year, please complete the application form below. Our registration fee is £90 (incl. VAT), with payment taken at the end of the online form.

Reception 2027 Entry Application Form

Explore and Discover Sessions will take place on Friday 2 October, Friday 13 November and Friday 15 January. Once we have received your application, we will contact you to arrange the appropriate date.

Junior School Admissions

For children joining Years 3 to 6. The admissions process helps us understand each child academically and personally, while also giving families the opportunity to get to know Abbey Gate College.

The admissions process

1. Enquire and visit – Contact our Admissions team and arrange a visit to the College.
2. Apply – Complete the relevant application through our Admissions Portal.
3. Assessment – Junior School applicants complete age-appropriate assessments in Maths, Comprehension and Reasoning. Pupils are also observed within the classroom environment.
4. Meet the team and references – Pupils meet the Head of the Infant and Junior School and teachers, and references are requested from their current school or setting.
5. Offer and next steps – We will contact you following the assessment process to confirm the outcome and explain the next steps.

Senior School Admissions

For external applicants joining Years 7 to 11. We welcome enquiries throughout the year and encourage prospective families to visit the College and experience Abbey Gate for themselves.

The admissions process

1. Enquire and visit – Contact Admissions to arrange a personal tour. Taster days may also be available for prospective pupils.
2. Register and apply – Complete the Registration Form and pay the relevant administration fee through our Admissions Portal.
3. Entrance assessment – Applicants complete age-appropriate entrance assessments. For Year 7^**, these include standardised digital ability tests alongside writing and mathematics assessments. Appropriate assessments are arranged for Years 8 to 11 and are followed by a Taster Day.
4. Interview and references – Applicants meet with the Head, Mr Jenkinson, and reports and references are requested from their current school.
5. Offer and next steps – Following the assessment, interview and references, we will contact you regarding the outcome and next steps.

^**Year 7 entry: The Senior School Entrance Examination normally takes place in January for entry the following September.

Sixth Form Admissions

For students joining Year 12: Sixth Form applicants are encouraged to visit the College to explore their subject choices and meet the Sixth Form team before applying.

Find out more about our upcoming Sixth Form Information Evening and Taster Day here

The admissions process

1. Enquire and visit – Contact our Admissions team, attend an information event or arrange a visit to find out more about Sixth Form life and subject choices. Taster days are also available for prospective students.
2. Apply – Complete the relevant application form through our Admissions Portal.
3. Interview – External applicants meet with the Head, Mr Jenkinson, for a formal interview, followed by the Head of Sixth Form to discuss their application and proposed A-Level subjects.
4. Conditional offer – Offers are made subject to the agreed GCSE entry requirements and satisfactory references or reports from the applicant’s current school.
5. Confirm your place – Once the conditions of the offer have been met, we will guide you through the final steps before joining Abbey Gate College.

Our standard Sixth Form entry requirements are Grade 6 or above in the subjects, or related subjects, a student wishes to continue at A-Level; Grade 5 or above in English Language and Maths where these are remaining subjects; and Grade 4 or above in other non-related GCSE subjects.