How to Apply – Junior (7-13)

Boys and girls may enter St Edmund’s Junior School at any point from Year 3 at the age of seven to Year 8 at the age of 12.  Most pupils join in September at the beginning of an academic year, but new pupils can be welcomed at any time provided there is a place for them. 

Places in all year groups are limited and parents are encouraged to register as soon as possible, particularly for entry to Year 7 for which we receive a particularly high volume of applications.

Step 1 – visit our school

Arrange to meet the Head of the Junior School, Mr Ross Comfort, and tour the school. Contact the Admissions team by email admissions@stedmunds.org.uk  or telephone 01227 475601.

Step 2 – registration

Parents may register their child for St Edmund’s Junior School at any time before or after a visit by completing the online registration form here, together with a non-refundable £150 registration fee.  Your son or daughter’s name is then added to the provisional list for entry in the term indicated. Your child cannot be assessed for entry, and subsequently accepted, without first having been registered.

Step 3 – assessment

Following a visit, parents can request the assessment of their child for entry.  The purpose of assessment is to give both parents and school the confidence that the child will flourish in the St Edmund’s environment.  We take a broad view of the child based on visits made to the school, academic testing (Year 4 onwards) and reports and references from the current school.

• There are no entrance tests for children entering the school in Year 3.  Children spend an informal assessment day in class at St Edmund’s amongst others of their own age.  Teachers then advise the Head of the Junior School  as to suitability.
• A similar process followed for Years 4, 5 and 6, although children also sit some entrance tests during their assessment visit (usually reading and non-verbal reasoning.
• For entry to Years 7 and 8, prospective pupils sit formal entrance tests (verbal and non-verbal reasoning).

Our policy is to apply these criteria to all pupils and potential pupils regardless of any disability of which we are aware, subject to our obligation to make reasonable adjustments so as not to put any pupil at a substantial disadvantage when compared to others. Whilst we do not have a specialist unit, we accommodate children with Additional Educational Needs (AEN) as far as we are able.

Where pupils have a diagnosed additional need, a copy of the most current educational psychologist’s report is required. A meeting will usually be arranged with our own Head of Additional Needs in order to assess the level of support needed, and whether or not we are in a position to provide it.

All assessment visits may be arranged through the Admissions Office 01227 475601.

Step 4 – reference and report

With the parents’ consent we approach each prospective pupil’s current school for a report on their recent academic progress, and to learn more about them.  The Head of the Junior School will also wish to see the child’s two most recent end of year school reports. 

Step 5 – offer of a place

Assuming the assessment deems it suitable, the Head of the Junior School will make a formal offer of a place and send this to the parents along with the Parent Contract and joining instructions.  Parents respond by accepting the place in writing, completing the joining instructions and accepting the school’s terms and conditions.