Entrance Procedures
Entrance procedures and popular entry stages
Each school has its own admissions policy and entrance procedures. You can make an application for entry at any stage, provided places are available.
What are the most popular entry stages for independent schools in Scotland?
The most popular entry stages tend to be at nursery (ages 3 and 4), at ages 5 and 11 (day schools) and at ages 13 and 16 (boarding schools) so early application is strongly recommended. In Scotland, most children start school in the year when their 5th birthday falls between 1st March and 28th February. However, it is quite common in the independent sector for some of the youngest children, especially boys, to be deferred until the following year, since boys tend to develop a little more slowly than girls. Each school will have its own policy about this so you are advised to check with individual schools.
Early application is strongly recommended
Applications for entry at the start of a new academic session (late August for day schools and early September for boarding schools) should preferably be made during the autumn months of the previous year, to give schools sufficient time to process applications and organise entrance assessments. However, since many schools have waiting lists at the most popular entry stages (see above), early application is strongly recommended. Application deadlines should be checked with individual schools.
Entrance assessments - what's involved?
Independent schools assess children to be sure that they can meet each individual child's educational needs and to decide how those needs can best be met. Be assured, schools understand that parents, especially those of very young children (P1-P3), are often anxious about entrance tests, so they will make every effort to put you and your child at ease. Assessments and interviews are usually held in the spring term - in late January, throughout February and into early March, although this varies from school to school. Your child's age will determine the nature of their entrance assessment and whether it is formal or informal. While some schools are academically selective, the majority admit children of mixed abilities. Schools make the assessments for very young children (P1-P3) as much fun as possible. Toys are used to gain an understanding of each child's grasp of basic concepts and assessments are done in such a way that children don't realise they are being tested. Entrance to senior schools is usually by way of a written examination, often combined with an interview. At Senior 1, the entrance exam often comprises an English paper, a Maths paper and one that tests reasoning. Some schools use national, standard tests while others have developed their own form of assessment. Individual schools will be able to provide more information about the nature of the assessment for different age groups and what is likely to be involved.
Further information about the nature of entrance assessments for younger and older children is included in the in the PDF, Entrance Assessments - What You Need To Know, on the right.
Preparing for entrance tests - yes or no...?
From an independent school's point of view, entrance tests are as much about looking for a pupil's potential as their current ability. Schools also recognise that pupils will have covered different topics at their different schools. So it's counter-productive for parents to put pressure on children to cram for an entrance test. Consider too that if a pupil narrowly passes a test after cramming, he or she might struggle with the school work rather than being able to enjoy their school years. For these reasons, independent schools prefer that pupils simply come as they are. However, if it helps your son or daughter to approach the test feeling prepared, you could ask his or her Maths and English teachers to suggest some areas where they could benefit from practice exercises. The best advice, if you need any information or reassurance, is to speak to the independent school direct. Third party organisations that claim to prepare children for entrance tests at independent schools are, at best, at least one step removed from the admissions process and not a substitute for dialogue with the school itself.
A Guide to the Admissions Process, on the right, gives information about:
- visiting schools
- application deadlines
- entrance assessments
- enrolments
- induction days
- the admissions cycle