The King Alfreds Admission Policy

Introduction

1.1 The King Alfred School (KAS) seeks to achieve a successful fit between the school and its pupils through its Admissions Policy. The admissions procedure should allow the school to gain a realistic picture of the prospective student; and the student to gain one of the school.
1.2 To maintain the character of the school and support its ethos there must also be: 1.a reasonable balance of pupils between the sexes; 2.a reasonable spread of ability.
1.3 The school tries to maintain an even balance between the sexes in each class and to avoid the minority sex being under one third of the class. Experience indicates that this is more difficult at Sixth Form level where there are variances from year to year.

Admissions Procedure

2.1 The Admissions Procedure normally comprises: registration of a prospective pupil’s details with the Admissions Office consideration of that application and any supporting documentation by KAS a report from the previous school or nursery interview of the parents by one of the Deputies or the Head a visit by the pupil to KAS an assessment of the pupil an offer of a place, or advice should it not be possible to offer a place
2.2 The main points of entry are: at age 4 into the Reception Classes where we admit approximately forty children a limited number of places are offered at age 11 into Year 7 on occasion we will accept children into Year 10 at the age of 14 post GCSE into the Sixth Form (Year 12) Occasional vacancies do arise in other years. The Admissions Secretary maintains a waiting list. 2.3 The first stage of the procedure for all applicants is to return the completed application form and non-refundable registration fee. The child’s name will be put on the waiting list but this does not guarantee a place.
2.4 Since date order of registration has some bearing in our admissions procedure, it is important to submit forms as early as possible.

The Visit

3.1The visit is central to the whole admissions process. Prospective pupils normally spend two days at KAS, attending classes and mixing with their peer group.
3.2There are exceptions: for Reception, there is a half day visit for occasional vacancies in Lower School the visit is one day (though a second day can be requested by parents or the school) in Year 7 there is an assessment morning in the autumn term of Year 6 followed by a tour of the school. Following the assessment a selection of pupils are short listed and invited back for a 2 day visit to Year 6 6th Form entry is subject to school report, GCSE performance and interviews with the Heads of Departments of likely subjects at A-level and the Head or Head of Upper School
3.3 The visit is arranged when a place is available or likely to become so, and the school report and/or the interview with the parents indicates that KAS may be an appropriate school for the prospective pupil.

The Assessment and Interview Process

4.1 The assessment is an opportunity to determine a child’s readiness for the next stage of their education, his/her academic potential, learning profile and suitability for the form of education offered by KAS. The school will make access arrangements for students with Additional Needs so they can perform to the best of their ability in the assessment. Further information is available in the schools Disability Access Plan, available from the Admissions Secretary or online at www.kingalfred.barnet.sch.uk
4.2 In Lower School an assessment is carried out for every pupil that comes on a visit.
4.3 For entry into Middle School pupils are assessed in maths, reading and writing.
4.4 Prospective 6th Formers are not normally assessed, but are required to attain a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C (preferably higher in A-level subjects) Students are asked to bring recent work with them when they meet the Heads of Departments.
4.5 We want the decision to join KAS to be an informed one, by both child and parents. Parents are expected to support the school and to trust us. We are honest with parents about KAS; we ask parents to be honest with us and to be open about any issues relating to their children. We look for children who will thrive at KAS and who will contribute to the school community.
4.6 Through the visit we assess: How responsive the child is to teachers and to classmates How easily the child will integrate into the community How the child responds to the demands of the schoolwork and how willing he or she is to work independently. If relevant, whether the school is able to meet any Additional Needs. Where we require more information we may ask for an Educational Psychologist’s or other appropriate professional’s report Whether the child is able to cooperate and negotiate – essential features given the wide degree of freedom enjoyed by KAS pupils.

Acceptance Procedure

5.1 In progressing applications the school will take into account: The date order of registration, and for 4+ entry, the period between birth and registration Gender: where possible we try to keep an equal balance of pupil numbers between the sexes The maintenance of a mixed ability range How the child integrates with his or her peers The views of parents: it is important that parents understand and support the aims and ethos of the school Our ability to support pupils with Additional Needs (see Disability Access Plan) The need to maintain a balance of entry so that we can encourage new contacts and look favourably on children whose families already have a demonstrable connection with the school
5.2 Before offering a place the school must feel reasonably sure that it will be able to educate and facilitate the development of the prospective pupil to the best of his/her potential and in line with the standards achieved by the pupils’ peers. The school operates an inclusion policy which it believes enhances school life, but the prospective pupil must be able to access the mainstream curriculum at an age appropriate level. The school will make reasonable adjustments to cater for the needs of applicants while giving equal importance to ensuring that no other pupil’s education is impaired. All parents of pupils will be asked to complete a form detailing their children’s requirements and any reasonable adjustments necessary for the child to be educated at KAS. The school has the final decision in all cases of admissions.

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