UK Day and Boarding Students
The Admissions process has been specifically designed to meet your needs as parents and prospective students in learning whether Sidcot is the right school for you and to satisfy our requirements for acceptance to the school. There are 8 steps to the process, the purpose of each one is included below and fits into an annual timetable. Parents can also apply outside of this timetable, if we have the place available.
Access a printable version of the Admissions Process Timetable for UK students here.
Step 1- Gather Information
Use this website to learn more about Sidcot and view our prospectus. We also recommend you read our latest ISI Inspection Report, exam results and visit the Good Schools’ Guide website for impartial advice.
Step 2- Register your interest with Admissions
Look at our Open Mornings page to see when you can visit the school and contact Valerie Kennedy with the date of your choice to book your space and register your interest in Sidcot.
Step 3- Open Morning
Join us on an Open Morning to meet our Acting Head Elizabeth Burgess and our students, take a tour of the campus facilities, collect a copy of our prospectus and enjoy refreshments with our teaching staff.
Step 4- Interview
If you are interested in applying to Sidcot the next step is to contact Valerie Kennedy to arrange an interview with either our Acting Head Elizabeth Burgess or Deputy Head, Russell Spooner. This informal meeting is to learn more about your child, their interests, aspirations and educational background. It is also an opportunity for you to ask more detailed questions pertinent to your child’s needs of our Academic Leadership team.
Step 5- Apply
The next step is to apply formally to Sidcot; this involves completing and returning the Sidcot Application Form, along with a copy of your child’s latest school report, and the registration fee to cover the administration costs of the application (£75 for Junior School or £150 for Senior School). The Admissions team will then seek a reference from your child’s previous school and any other information relevant to the application. This information is then presented to our Academic Leadership Team to make a decision on offering a place. You will be informed in writing of the outcome within 1 month of the application being received. You have the right to appeal against any decision made- please see our Admissions policy on how to do this.
Step 6- Offer
Offer documentation will be sent to you by post, please read the Parent’s Agreement and accompanying information carefully as this will form a legally binding contract between you and Sidcot school. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the school with your questions.
Step 7-Accept
To secure your child’s place at Sidcot, sign the acceptance form and return to Admissions along with the deposit and medical card. On acceptance you will receive a pack of information, including uniform list, insurance details and term dates. A further pack of joining instructions is sent prior to the start date.
Step 8- Entrance Assessment Days
For students accepted into Years 7-10, Sidcot is a non selective school and entrance assessments do not form part of the entrance criteria. However students are taught in sets for Maths and English and we need to assess each student’s ability in these subjects to place them accordingly. We hold 3 assessment days for this purpose and it is imperative that your child attends one of these sessions before their start date.
Feedback on our Admissions Process
As explained, the purpose of our process is to enable families to get a real feel for Sidcot and the opportunities we can provide your children with. We welcome feedback on each step of our Admissions process, so please do not hesitate to contact Valerie in Admissions with anything you feel will enhance your experience of Sidcot moving through this crucial stage in your child’s educational career.
