DOLPHIN SCHOOL ADMISSIONS POLICY

The majority of children at Dolphin either join Nursery from the age of three, Reception in the autumn term following their fourth birthday, or Year Seven where scholarships are available. However, entry is possible at any time if spaces are available and we can also offer waiting list places.

Main School (Reception to Year Eight)

Dolphin is a selective entry school where the curriculum is particularly suited to the academically able. We are looking for children with the potential and desire to learn and those who will relish the breadth and depth of our curriculum.

Children are considered for entry to our Reception class and above after they spend a day at Dolphin taking part in what we call an Assessment Day. Assessment Days can be arranged by contacting our Registrar on 0118 934 1277 who will ask you to complete an Assessment Application form and return it with a £40 non-refundable administration fee.

Visiting children will spend about half an hour with a Maths and an English specialist who will be looking not just at what the child already knows, but, more importantly, what they can be taught. For the remainder of the day they will attend lessons with one of the classes in their age group. We very much look on our Assessment Days as a two way process where the child has the opportunity to learn about Dolphin whilst we learn about them.

At the end of the day, staff report back to the Head who will then make the decision about whether or not a place will be offered. We would always seek to accept a child we felt would thrive in the Dolphin community. The Head would then contact the parents of these children to offer a place if one is available. If not, an offer is made of a waiting list place.

Acceptance of a place at Dolphin is by completion and return of our Acceptance Form together with the necessary deposit to secure the place.

After accepting a place at Dolphin, an appointment will be made with the Head who spends approximately one and a half hours with new parents discussing in detail the parental contract, discipline policy, children’s handbook, the field trips, day trips, the day to day running of the school, form groups and class groups, practical information, sport, music lessons, the language programme, next schools’ policy, subject synopses and curriculum, and other matters. If this meeting has recently taken place for an older sibling, it may be shorter for subsequent children.

The Head has this meeting with the parents of children who are already attending Dolphin’s Nursery in the summer term before they enter Reception.

Dolphin Nursery

Entry usually takes place close to a child’s third birthday or any time until they are eligible for a place in the Reception Class. A Nursery age child could be offered a place immediately if one is available as there is no formal assessment. The child will usually attend a familiarisation session in the term before proposed entry to ensure their readiness for school. Acceptance of a place in Dolphin’s Nursery is by completion and return of our Acceptance Form together with the necessary deposit to secure the place.