Admissions
Process
We aim to make the admissions process as simple as possible. The process is bespoke to you and your family, geared to suit the needs of your children in a timeframe which will work for you.
There are no formal Saturday morning assessments in a big hall with a squeaky shoed invigilator at Pennthorpe! We recognise that tests do not enable all children to demonstrate their true ability and we are seeking children who can bring more than the ability to pass an exam to Pennthorpe.Mr Chris Murray, Head
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Step 1
SEND AN ENQUIRY
As with any new relationship, the first step is simply introducing oneself. You can do that with an email or phone call with our Admissions team. There, you’ll be guided through the rest of the process which will vary according to the age of your children.
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Step 2
BOOK A VISIT
We love welcoming visitors! Whether you visit on one of our Open Mornings or for a private tour, this is the best way to get a sense of Pennthorpe’s culture. We invite all visitors to spend time with our lovely Admissions team, to discuss your child and your desires for their education, and this is also an opportunity to meet our children and staff, and explore our site and facilities. If getting to Pennthorpe in person is too much of a challenge, we are also able to invite visitors to meet with us virtually.
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Step 3
REGISTERING YOUR CHILD
Registering your child is the next stage of the admissions process. This registers your interest for your child to join Pennthorpe, and means we will keep you informed of the availability of places in your child’s year group. At this point we request the payment of a non-refundable registration fee. You can register and transfer the registration fee electronically, or you can contact the Admissions Team for a hard copy if you prefer. Once your completed registration form and payment have been received, your application will be processed and you will move to the next step in the admissions process.
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Step 4
TASTER DAYS
Once your child is registered with us they will be invited to enjoy a taste of what Pennthorpe has to offer them; either for a full day(s) for children who are already school age, or a shorter session(s) for children of nursery age. School aged children will be supported by a buddy, who will help show them the ropes, and they’ll get to experience a normal timetable.
Children who are in Year 3 and above will also be invited in for an Assessment Day where they will take some informal assessments in reading, writing, English and Mathematics, to gauge how they will fit academically in the year group they are joining. This helps us to understand where to pitch their initial learning, should they join, and ensures we are able to offer the appropriate support to enable them to develop and thrive. If older children have any SEND requirements we may ask them to carry out some Cognitive Ability Testing too, to help us to understand how they learn and what their academic potential might be, to help ensure that we can meet their needs.
At the end of your child's taster day(s) or session(s), we hope to be in a position to offer them a place, and hope you will be confident that Pennthorpe is the right school for them and your family.
You will be asked to secure your child’s place by acceptance of our offer, in conjunction with our Terms & Conditions, and paying a refundable deposit (refunded when your child leaves the school).
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Step 5
FEES, PRODIGY PROGRAMME & BURSARIES
If you would like your child to be considered for the Prodigy Programme and/or a means-tested bursary you are welcome to apply for these once your child has been offered a place.
If you would like additional information on fees, Bursaries, Childcare Vouchers, Tax-Free Childcare or the Free Entitlement Scheme, please contact our Bursary Department. -
Step 6
GETTING TO PENNTHORPE
Pennthorpe is located in the village of Rudgwick, on the West Sussex/Surrey border. Rudgwick is situated roughly equidistant from 3 mainline stations, giving access to London; Horsham, Cranleigh and Guildford. The village is on the main car route between Horsham and Guildford (A281), so ideally situated for families who commute between these two towns. It is also a stone’s throw away from the A24, the major trunk road that runs from Clapham in the north to Worthing on the coast. We offer a comprehensive minibus service, connecting the school to the local towns and villages.