Admissions Procedure
The majority of boys join us in Year 4 (Sixes). We have later admissions, however, these are subject to places being available and an academic assessment. To gain a place on the appropriate entry lists, the boys must be registered. These forms are available from the Registrar.
After this, we would be delighted if you are able to come and visit the school for a tour and meeting with the Headmaster. Two years prior to entry, all boys on the confirmed entry lists are invited to an open day. This is a fun, informal occasion giving the visiting boys a chance to participate in a number of activities as well as seeing the school and grounds.
After attending this, a place will be offered to your son which can be confirmed with a deposit (refunded on the last set of fees). Throughout this process, the Registrar, Rebecca Philpott, is available to answer any questions you may have or to book visits. To contact her directly, please email or telephone the school on 0118 978 9881 and ask for Admissions.
Assessments for Entry
We take up to 30 boys into Year 4 and an additional 10 boys into Year 5. We only occasionally accept boys into Years 6 and 7 if we have space in the Divisions and Dorms.
Year 4 entry
We have no formal entrance exam for boys joining in Year 4, but we do ask for a report from the previous school so that we can be sure we place a boy in the right division. Once a boy arrives at the School, we carry out an assessment of his reading, writing and arithmetic skills. We have a disciplined academic structure and we pride ourselves on the fact that, despite no entrance exam, our boys still go to the top public schools.
Entry at Year 5 and above
For entry into Year 5 and above, registered boys and their parents are invited to visit Ludgrove for a 1-1 visit in the Autumn of the year prior to entry. This visit will include a meeting and tour of the School with Mr and Mrs Barber and an assessment. The assessment includes spelling, reading and maths and boys need not prepare for these tests – they are designed to enable us to see where a boy would naturally fit into the existing cohort. Offers of places are subject to assessment results and the number of places available.
The Application Process
Bursaries may be made available to parents/guardians of boys seeking to enter any year group of Ludgrove. They are awarded at the discretion of the Headmaster and funded from a bursary reserve agreed by the Governors. The Headmaster and the Bursar are also responsible for the management and coordination of the process.
- 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 form, together with the necessary documentary evidence, should be submitted to the Bursar no later than 31st October each year for Bursaries to start the following September. In addition, the School requires that the school reports and any other relevant paperwork pertaining to the academic or other achievements of a candidate be supplied to the school. Boys seeking admission into year 5 or above will also be required to sit the School’s academic assessment tests.
- 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 boy to attend the School. This will involve the Bursar, or their representative, visiting the parents'/guardians' home to ensure the information has been correctly interpreted and the basis of the financial assessment has been fair. Please see further information contained in this policy.
- Step three – in the event that a boy and his parents/guardians have not visited the school and met with the Headmaster prior to initiating this process, an appointment to do should be made with the registrar prior to a decision on the award being made by the School Step four - the Bursar prepares a recommendation which is considered by the Headmaster. The decision to award bursarial support resides with the Headmaster. The Bursaries and Public Benefit Committee maintains an overview and monitors Bursary provision annually. The Public Benefit and Bursary Committee, which reports to the Board of Governors, comprises the Headmaster, Bursar and no less than two Governors and meets at least annually.
- Step four – by the end of the Michaelmas term in the calendar year before the September in which the boy hopes to start at the School, the parents/guardians are advised whether their son/ward is to be offered a place at the School and of the Bursary offer.
- Step five - 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 no later than the first day of the Easter term preceding the September for which the boy has been offered a place at the school.
- Exceptionally, at the discretion of the Headmaster and subject to there being any remaining available Bursary funds, an application for a Bursary for a new applicant to the School may be considered even when made other than within the timeframe indicated above.
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