The rules of engagement

Making initial enquiries may be daunting, but the applications process is reassuringly straightforward, and a good admissions team will make sure it’s as smooth as possible, says Elizabeth Williams, Director of Admissions at Exeter School in Devon

THE PERSON YOU’LL BE DEALING WITH IS the admissions manager or registrar, and they WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE WHOLE JOURNEY, FROM INITIAL ENQUIRY TO YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DAY

Visiting a school will really give you and your family a feel for how your child would fi t into life there. Exeter School’s 25 acres of grounds inspired many prospective pupils

So you’ve made the decision that an independent school education is right for your child: now what? Register your place: At this point you’ll be asked to pay a registration fee, which secures your entry into the school’s admissions process.

Assessment: Once registered, your children may be invited to sit an assessment. For entry into year three at Exeter School, this involves maths and English (reading and writing), supported by friendly sta . You can request sample papers to prepare. We advise you don’t go down the route of hiring tutors speci cally for the entrance assessment, our tests aren’t designed to trick or challenge beyond natural ability. Instead, they’re there to ensure pupils ourish and can handle their school workload with con dence.

O er: Following the assessments, you’ll (hopefully) receive an o er. We know this is an anxious wait, so schools will do their best to get back to you as soon as they can.

Acceptance: To formally accept your place, an acceptance deposit is usually required. At

Exeter School, this is paid back on your nal bill (when your child leaves the school).

Who to speak to?

e person you’ll be dealing with is the admissions manager or registrar, and they will guide you throughout the entire journey, from initial enquiry to your child’s rst day. Along the way you might want to speak to the headteacher, or other key members of sta , but the admissions manager will be your anchor, answering any questions and providing helpful advice about the next steps. Meeting the head is a really good way to get a feel for a school’s overall culture: Exeter School’s Head is extremely approachable and is always keen to meet prospective families.

Any tips?

Visit. Visit. Visit. Nothing is the same as being on campus and seeing the science labs, the squash courts, or the music department. We have 25 acres at Exeter School and prospective families are routinely blown away by the space and facilities – they’ve all looked at our website but being here in person is a completely di erent experience. Nobody expects a city centre school to feel so green and spacious and that’s something a website can’t fully convey.

Don’t be afraid to ask for more than one tour if you feel you didn’t get a proper look,

or you’re still choosing between two schools. Visiting the school on more than one occasion is a really good idea. Open events are great for seeing the wider school community come together, but personal tours are more intimate and a great opportunity to have the sole attention of your admissions manager.

Make the most of any o ered

taster days. e more excited your child is about a new school, the easier the transition will be when they come to move. You might have registered for a school place in October, to be o ered a place in January... which means there’s an eight-month wait before your child’s start date. Sometimes a refresher tour helps to calm any nerves, and a taster day will encourage the excitement of a new environment and, most importantly, new friends.

Ask about second-hand

uniform. Out tting a child in brand-new uniform is expensive. Most schools will either have a school shop with a second-hand rail, or a network of parents who sell on their children’s used uniform, via Facebook or similar.

It can feel intimidating if this is your rst foray into the world of independent schools, but rest assured that the sector is much changed from the misconceptions and stereotypes of yesterday. Independent schools aren’t all based on sprawling country estates with pupils in top hats or oor-length gowns. ey can be incredibly diverse and, ultimately, hugely accessible and we all have one goal – providing the best possible education and opportunities for children and young people.

It’s important to ask plenty of questions about year groups and class sizes

Questions to ask?

Do you have space in my child’s year group, is there a waiting

list? Like in the state sector, things change all the time (relocations etc), so spaces do become available

ARE YOU NEW TO PRIVATE SCHOOL?

Here’s our handy fact fi le to help guide you through the admissions process

• Narrow your search: No doubt you’ll have a list of requirements, so the internet really will be your friend here. Read everything you can online to determine the basics of a school (co-ed/single sex, boarding/day etc) from the comfort of your own sofa, so do your research, whittle down your list and then... book on to some open events. • Visit: The internet can tell you many things, but you won’t get a proper feel for a school until you’re on site. These strategic days are designed to showcase the school at its very best and this means you get the opportunity to meet pupils and sta , as well as the usual poke around the classrooms and swimming pool. • Most schools would agree that pupils make the best ambassadors – nobody will give you a truer refl ection of a school. So, take this opportunity to ask them the all-important questions – what’s the food like, how’s the pastoral care, is everyone friendly?

VISITING THE SCHOOL ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION is a really good idea, open events are great for seeing THE WIDER SCHOOL COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER

Taster days are great for easing fi rst-day nerves and for your child to really get a sense of life at the school throughout the school year. Don’t let the disappointment of a full year group put you o , it’s entirely possible you’ll still be o ered a place from the waiting list.

Class sizes. One of the most talked about bene ts of independent schooling is the smaller class sizes. At Exeter School, we cap our class sizes and operate waiting lists rather than increase these numbers.

How big is my child’s year

group? How many classes there are in the year group opens up the doors when it comes to drama and sport opportunities, so it’s a good question to ask.

Which universities do your

pupils go to? is will give you a good idea of the expectation for senior school and into sixth form.

Wraparound childcare

provision. e majority of parents at Exeter School both work fulltime, so it’s important that we o er a full range of before and a er-school clubs and options for parents. Ask the questions – will your child be in prep (doing their homework), or are there activities for them to take part in – are these chargeable or included in the fees?

Is there any nancial support

available? Yes, they are called bursaries (see page 62). Exeter School has a rich bursary programme that’s means tested and provides essential nancial support for families who may not otherwise be able to a ord our excellent education.