Admissions Policy

Supporting Documents

All applicants must provide copies of their passport or birth certificate, their two previous reports, and a leaving certificate from their previous school if applicable.

Year Group	Age Requirement (age on or before 31 August on year of entry)
Crèche	2 years old*
FS1	3 years old
FS2	4 years old
Year 1	5 years old
Year 2	6 years old
Year 3	7 years old
Year 4	8 years old
Year 5	9 years old
Year 6	10 years old
Year 7	11 years old
Year 8	12 years old
Year 9	13 years old
Year 10	14 – 15 years old
Year 11	15 – 16 years old
Year 12	16 – 17 years old

*Entry is normally at the start of the next term following the child’s 2nd birthday for schools that do not have a Pre-crèche. Children therefore may spend up to five terms in Crèche. 

 Children are only placed in year groups according to their age. In exceptional circumstances a child may be placed in a year group below their age band. The reasons for this are normally identified Additional Educational Needs and if it is considered in the child’s best interest. This is only agreed with substantial evidence to support the decision, for example, assessments from an Educational Psychologist. 

 In the Prep School, children are never placed in a year group above their age band, regardless of academic ability or previous schooling. We believe this is best practice for children’s emotional, social and physical development, as well as their language and communication development, especially in the Early Years Foundation Stage. In the Senior School, pupils are also placed in year groups according to their age. 

 Parents of children with birthdays in July or August will be given a choice if they wish to hold their child back in a year group, so they are the oldest in the class and not the youngest. The advantages and possible disadvantages (sports) will be explained to parents on admission, so they can make an informed decision. 

 

Additional Information for Admission into Years 7-11 

• Interview with Headteacher or Deputy Head. 

• Entrance assessment tests in English Language and Mathematics if so required. 

• Additional AEN and/or EAL assessment may be requested prior to admission. 

 

Additional Information for Admission into the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Years 12-13) 

• Interview with Headteacher / Deputy Head / IBDP Coordinator and the University Admissions Officer. 

• Set of completed IGCSE grades (or equivalent) of five subjects or more at grade C or above, including English Language and Mathematics. 

• For subjects selected at IB Higher Level, students should have an IGCSE grade B or above in that subject or the related core subject(s). 

• For IB Higher Level Physics and Chemistry, IGCSE grade A or above is required. 

• For IB Higher Level Mathematics, IGCSE grade A and a further Mathematics study programme, eg. CIE Additional Mathematics is required. 

• For IB Standard Level Mathematics, completion of the IGCSE Extended course is required. 

• For students entering without IGCSE results, we may require assessment in English Language, Mathematics and the subjects selected at IB Higher Level. 

• Additional AEN and/or EAL assessment may be requested prior to admission. 

• Braeburn Garden Estate School reserves the right to switch students to alternative courses if performance levels fall below levels set by the school. 

 

Additional Information for Admission into International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (Years 12-13) 

• Interview with Headteacher / Deputy Head / IBCP Coordinator and the University Admissions Officer. 

• Set of completed IGCSE grades (or equivalent) of five subjects at a pass level (Grades A*-G). 

• For students entering without IGCSE results, we may require assessment in English Language and Mathematics and the IB subjects selected. 

• For students selecting Art, examples of previous work may be requested. 

• Additional AEN and/or EAL assessment may be requested prior to admission. 

• Extracurricular private courses are available for students to re-sit IGCSE Mathematics. 

• Braeburn Garden Estate School reserves the right to preclude individual IB Standard Level subjects should students’ academic profiles not match the requirements of the subject. 

 Please note the following additional admissions information for the IBCP and IBDP programmes. 

 

IBCP and IBDP Group 2 Language Selection 

• At IB level there are three Group 2 languages offered: French, Spanish and Kiswahili. All three languages are offered at three levels: Ab initio, Standard Level and Higher Level, although IBCP students are required to select an ab initio level language. Ab initio level assumes little to no prior experience in the language and therefore a student will not be able to take a language that they have previously studied or been exposed to due to living in a country where that language is spoken. Any exception to this rule will be through discussion with the IB Diploma/Career-Related Coordinator and the relevant language teacher. 

• There is also an option for IBDP students to take a self-taught Group A language in their native tongue if that is not English. This could be done instead of a Group 2 language, but will need to be discussed and decided upon in consultation with the IBDP Coordinator, the Careers Advisor, the Self-Taught Languages Coordinator, the parents and the student. 

 

Waiting Lists 

Where a year group is full, new admissions will be placed on a waiting list. Waiting lists operate on a first come, first served basis. Priority may be given to siblings of children who have a place in the school. 

 

Siblings 

Children with siblings already attending the school will be given priority in situations where there are waiting lists for entry to a particular year group. There is a discount on tuition fees for siblings. 

 

Differentiation and Setting 

At Braeburn, children are in mixed ability classes and differentiation takes place within all classes to ensure children’s needs are met. This may be done through variation of teaching methods, tasks or expected learning outcomes. Teachers will often group children within their classes to assist with differentiation. The learning objectives covered for all children in a year group are the same. Where numbers allow, setting in Mathematics, English, and Modern Foreign Languages, may take place in Year 2 and above. 

 

Additional Educational Needs 

Whether your child is gifted and talented and needs to be extended and challenged to reach their full potential, or displays mild learning difficulties, our school offers the appropriate range of support. Our inclusive policy ensures that children participate in most mainstream classes, with withdrawal from one or two subjects considered only when necessary, and always decided in consultation with parents, the pupil (depending on age), and teachers. 

 Where known or suspected, please inform the school of any additional needs your child may have before admission. As challenges become apparent, children will undergo specific assessments, or parents may be asked to take their child to external specialists. 

 

English as an Additional Language 

Students whose mother tongue is not English are required to have a minimum level of English Language to access the curriculum, so special oral and written tests may be used to determine the child’s proficiency in English. The approach and support offered by the school is age dependent and is outlined below: 

• EYFS and KS1: Pupils are supported in mainstream classes – both beginners and those with a more advanced knowledge. 

• KS2 and KS3: Beginners undergo an intensive English course for an hour a day for ten weeks, being withdrawn from Literacy, preferably in the morning lessons. 

 

Physical Disability 

We will endeavour to educate students with physical disabilities within the constraints of the school facilities and environment. 

 

Admission Testing (if applicable) 

We may use pre- and post-testing to: 

• Ensure all pupils can access our curriculum .

• Provide teachers with an idea of a child’s needs and strengths.

• Help with target setting for academic performance. 

 

Medical Form 

This must be completed by parents as soon as the child has joined the school. 

 

Leaving the School 

The Headteacher must receive one term’s notice in writing. If notice is not received, one term’s fees in lieu of notice will be charged.