7+ ENTRY
Next year's entry examination will be on Saturday 27th February 2010
Each year we have a few places to start in September in Year 3. Entry at this point is as a result of a relatively informal entrance test (mathematics, English and reading) to ensure that entrants will be able to benefit from our academic programme. The tests are based on the National Curriculum requirements for Year 2 and are not conducted with strict time limits as we wish to ascertain what candidates can do, rather than whether they have been trained in test techniques.
Application
forms and information about application procedure can be obtained from
the Admissions Secretary on 0208 504 5045 or e-mail admissions@wgps.co.uk .
General
The Governors of Woodford Green Preparatory School are committed to broadening access to the school by offering to eligible parents/guardians means-tested financial support with the payment of schools fees. Such support is known as a bursary and these may be awarded in the form of a discount of up to 100% on tuition fees payable, depending on the financial, compassionate or other pertinent circumstances of applicants.
Bursary awards are subject to repeat testing of parental means each year and may be varied upwards or downwards, depending on parental circumstances. Awards are made on the basis of the Woodford Green Preparatory School Scale of Awards, which sets out award levels in relation to a family’s financial circumstances. The Scale of Awards is reviewed and revised annually by the Bursar and the Head to reflect any changes in fee costs, and approved by the Governors. Though awards are generally tied to this scale, they may be varied upwards or downwards depending on individual parents/guardians’ circumstances (e.g. their savings, investments and realisable assets, as well as their income, the size of their family, any other persons dependent upon them and like factors), compassionate or other pertinent considerations.
Requests for financial support usually fall into two categories:
- New applicants to the school, where a place will be offered but parents/guardians are unable to fund the tuition fees.
- Existing pupils where a change in parents/guardians’ circumstances has resulted in difficulty in meeting tuition fees and may result in the child being withdrawn part way through a stage of education.
New Applicants to the School
The Application Process.Bursaries may be
made available to parents/guardians of children entering Year 3 (Lower Prep) or
above of
- Step One. Parents/guardians seeking a bursary are required to complete an application form which seeks to establish the financial circumstances of the household. The form, which requests details of income and capital, may be obtained from the Bursar and must be accompanied by full documentary evidence. The completed forms, together with the necessary documentary evidence, are to be submitted to the Bursar no later than two weeks before the date of the Entrance Exam in any year for a bursary to start the following September.
- Step Two. The Bursar assesses all applications in order to establish the likely level of support which will be required in order to allow the child to attend the School. This may involve the Bursar, or his representative, visiting the parents/guardians’ home to ensure the information has been correctly interpreted and the basis of the financial assessment has been fair.
- Step Three. The Bursar prepares a recommendation in accordance with the Woodford Green Preparatory School Scale of Awards which is considered with the Head and a joint recommendation is then reached.
- Step Four. The joint recommendation is presented to the School Governors for approval.
- Step Five. Approximately a week after the entrance examination the parents/guardians are advised whether their child is to be offered a place at the School and of the Bursary offer.
- Step Six. Parents/guardians are then required to sign a letter accepting the place at the school and an acknowledgement agreeing to any conditions relating to the bursary.
The Case for Assistance.
The Head and Bursar may consider a number of factors when making the judgement as to the justification for support, and the extent of such support. In the main, the child’s suitability for the school is the first consideration in granting support.
- Suitability. In assessing a child’s suitability, attention will be given to the academic assessment result of each applicant, but potential will also be considered as well as actual achievement. Bursary funds are limited and those judged most suitable will be given priority as those likely to gain most from the educational provision. Each pupil to whom support is offered must, in the opinion of the Head, be likely to make sound academic progress following admission and possess the potential to develop the quality of his or her work, and benefit from participation in the wider, extra-curricular activities on offer at the School. Each applicant should meet the School’s normal academic entry requirements. Previous school reports will be consulted for evidence of good behaviour.
- Financial Limitations. The amount of the bursary award is not influenced by the level of the academic ability of the child but by the extent of need. Each case is assessed on its own merits and awards are made accordingly, subject to the School’s ability to fund these within the context of what is viable within the context of its overall budget. It is recognised that judgements about what sacrifices a family should make to pay school fees will be personal. However, the School has a duty to ensure that all bursary grants are well focussed and so, as well as current earnings, other factors which will be considered in determining the necessary level of grant will include:
o The ability to improve the financial position or earning power of the family. For example, where there are two partners, both would be expected to be employed unless one is prevented from doing so through incapacity, the need to care for children under school age or other dependents, or the requirements of their partner’s work.
o Opportunities to release any capital. Significant capital savings and investments would be expected to be used for the payment of school fees, as would equity values in houses.
o In cases of separation, the contribution made by the absent parent.
o Contribution to household costs by other, wider, family members, any adults unrelated to the child or by outside sources.
o Where fees are being paid to other schools (or universities) the School’s grant will take into account all these outgoings.
o Acknowledging that others might have a different view, the School considers that the following would not be consistent with the receipt of a bursary:
§ Frequent or expensive holidays.
§ New or luxury cars.
§ Investment in significant home improvements.
§ A second property/land holdings.
·
Within overall budget funding, the School will in normal circumstances be able to provide some support for cases of sudden, unforeseen need or where applications meriting bursary assistance are received out of the normal calendar cycle for bursary submission, scrutiny and award. This support will be limited by budgetary constraints. Parents/guardians with a child at the School whose financial circumstances suddenly change may apply for a bursary to the Bursar, explaining their situation and using the form which can be obtained from the Bursar. Such awards are subject to the availability of funding and cannot be guaranteed.
Annual Review
All bursary awards are subject to repeat testing of parental means each year and may be varied upwards or downwards depending on parental circumstances. Assessment forms will be distributed with the Spring Term invoice in December each year and must be returned no later than 31st January. For those previously in receipt of bursaries, the Head and Bursar, in making their joint recommendation to the School Governors have the discretion to recommend to the Governors the reduction or withdrawal of an award not only where a pupil’s progress, attitude or behaviour has been unsatisfactory but also where the parents/guardians have failed to support the school, for example by the late payment of any contribution they are making to the fees.
Confidentiality
The School respects the confidentiality of bursary awards made to families and recipients are expected to do likewise.