We accept children into Pre-prep at any age from reception (aged 4) to Year 3 (aged 7-8), although places are often limited beyond the reception class.
The majority of our pupils join the Prep school in Year 4 (aged 8) where there is an option for them to be boarders or day boys. Occasionally, we are also able to accept boys into Year 5 and above (aged 9+).
Most pupils join the school in September, but there is also the possibility of joining us in either January or April, subject to availability.
We aim to make our Admissions process as straightforward as possible. Our Registrar Christine Berry is here to support you through every step of the admissions process. You can contact her via email admissions@summerfields.com or by phone on 01865 459204 / 07483 357895.
Step 1: Enquire
To enquire about a place at Summer Fields for your child please complete our online enquiry form or call our Registrar Christine Berry on 01865 459204 / 07483 357895. Once completed you will receive a prospectus and be added to our email list to receive invitations to our Open Mornings, Pre-prep Stay and Play and family events.
Step 2: Arrange a Visit
The next step is usually for parents to visit us. There are a range of options available to you depending on whether your child will be joining the Pre-prep or Prep.
Step 3: Register Your Child
Once the prospectus has been received and we've arranged your visit our Registrar will send you our online registration form which you will need to complete alongside payment of our £100 registration fee.
You can register your son at any point from birth.
This is also the point at which you can express your interest in a means-tested bursary or put your child forward for our Maclaren scholarships which recognise achievement, strength in music and sport will be taken into account. Maclaren scholarships are means tested and provide fee remissions of between 50 and 100%.
Step 4: Admissions Assessment
We aim to welcome pupils with a broad range of talents to Summer Fields; our admissions assessments ensure that everyone joining the school will thrive academically and pastorally whilst they are in our care. While we are selective when making decisions about entry, this selection is not driven solely by academic ability.
Step 5: Formal Offer
Subject to availability and the various assessments we undertake, in addition to receiving a satisfactory report from your son’s current school or nursery, Summer Fields may make a formal offer of a place for your child. This will be confirmed in a letter.
Step 6: Acceptance of Place
To formalise your acceptance and for us to start getting everything in place for your child's smooth transition to Summer Fields, parents are required to complete a series of forms which will be sent to you via our Registrar. You will need to:
If your child is an overseas pupil we will also begin their visa application at this stage
Step 7: New Pupil Orientation Day
Once you have accepted a place for your child and paid a deposit, it is time to prepare your child for their start at Summer Fields.
For September entry, we hold a New Pupils' Orientation Day in June of that year, when we invite your child to spend the morning at the school with their peer group. This is a very important day for you and your child to familiarise yourselves with teaching staff and the surroundings, and we encourage as many children as possible to attend.
You are welcome to visit the school at any time.
Please contact Mrs Christine Berry our Registrar if you would like to book an individual tour or meeting with the Head.
Open Mornings
We also hold several Open Mornings each year, to which all prospective parents and their families are warmly invited. The day starts with coffee with the Headmaster and other members of staff. You will then enjoy a tour of the school in the company of one or two of our Year 7 tour guides. These boys will tell you everything there is to know about the school, and are enthusiastic and honest founts of wisdom. We do not prime the boys or staff to do anything out of the ordinary during the morning, so it is your chance to see Summer Fields running as it always does.
Our next open mornings will be held in May .
Pre-prep Stay & Play
For parents to bring boys under 4 to enjoy a taste of Summer Fields Pre-prep and make new friends.
Thursday 30 November 9.30am - 10.30am
In August of the year before your child is due to join Summer Fields you will be sent a 'Confirmation of Intention Form' to complete to confirm that your child will take part in our admission assessment. On this form you will be required to complete the details of your child’s current school for us to approach for a report on their performance. This is an integral part of our admission assessment, so please ensure that you have let your child’s school know that we will be in contact with them.
Pre-prep assessment
Admission assessment mornings for Pre-prep are undertaken in October and February. For prospective Reception and Year 1 boys the assessment is play based. For Year 1 students we are also looking for a basic grasp of numbers and letters. For those entering Year 2 or 3 your child will meet a member of staff who will assess their reading, writing, spelling and maths and fit with the class they are entering.
Year 4 assessment
In the year before entry to the Prep school, your child will be invited to attend our formal admission assessment morning. These take place in November and February. The assessment comprises a computer based test, a creative writing task and an informal chat with a teacher for that year group.
Entry at Year 5 and above
Admissions' assessment for pupils in these year groups is a computer based cognitive abilities test to assess general intelligence alongside a creative writing task and an informal chat with a teacher from that year group.
We welcome pupils from all corners of the globe. They benefit from everything that a traditional English education has to offer, whilst we benefit in equal measure from the many attributes they bring. International students ensure that the school community remains diverse and multi-talented, reflecting the make-up of the world today.
Our overseas pupils must have a relative or legal guardian living in the UK that Summer Fields can contact in case of an emergency. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that this is in place.
Parents of overseas pupils should appreciate that Summer Fields does not run a short-term study programme and expects overseas pupils to finish a complete course of study.
Fluency in English
In order to thrive academically and socially at Summer Fields, pupils must be fluent English speakers. A limited number of spaces are available for tuition in English as an Additional Language (EAL); this is provided at the parent / guardian’s expense.
Visas
Summer Fields’ immigration specialists, Newland Chase Education. act on the school's behalf to ensure that your son has the correct child student visa in place before he joins the school. Please note that we do not sponsor Child Student visas for day boys. There is normally a 6-month lead time for visas to be approved before your son can join Summer Fields
Acceptance of place deposit
If your primary residence is situated outside the UK your acceptance of place deposit will be one term's fee.If you have any queries please contact our Registrar, Mrs Christine Berry who will be more than happy to advise.
Twitter