Admissions Process

Entry to Sunningdale

We are very aware that choosing a prep school may be one of the most important decisions you make for your children. We want to make that process as easy as possible. Below is an outline of what you can expect. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01344 620159, or via email at admissions@sunningdaleschool.co.uk

Visits

A visit is a must. It is only by looking round the school, meeting key members of staff and seeing the boys at work and play that you can get a real feel for what makes Sunningdale so special. We offer small group open mornings of up to six families at a time or, alternatively, you can book an individual tour with the Headmaster or a senior member of staff.

Registration

A parent may register their son at Sunningdale School from birth and are asked to return their completed registration form with the £100 Registration Fee. Boys should be registered two years before their expected start date.

We have, on average, 24 places available each year. If all 24 places are taken for the year you require, your son will be placed on a waiting list. You will be kept informed as to the likelihood of him being offered a guaranteed place. As well as this, your details will be added to our mailing list to receive the Sunningdale School newsletter and invitations to prospective family events.

Offers

In October of the year before a boy is due to start, we will request references from their previous schools. We want to make sure that the boys will cope with the curriculum we offer and that they will settle well into life at Sunningdale. Formal offers will be made on receipt of these references.

Acceptance

An acceptance form will be sent out for you to sign and we will ask for a £750 deposit. Once we receive the form and deposit your son’s place will be confirmed. The deposit will be deducted from the final bill.

Entry at Year 5 or above

Owing to the very high demand for places, boys who apply for places in Year 5 or above will be required to sit an assessment test. No specific preparation is required for this test. A report will also be requested from their previous school. Both academic and extra-curricular strengths will be taken into account when places are offered.

Admissions Criteria

We are looking for boys who will contribute positively to the life of the school in various different ways. We do need, though, to make sure that potential pupils will be able to cope academically, irrespective of any special educational needs or disability they may have.

The School reserves the right to deny entry to any boy who we feel will not thrive here or who will disrupt the education and well-being of other pupils. It may be a that a prospective pupil’s behaviour, as evidenced by the confidential report or by observation during a visit, poses a risk of severe disruption to other boys.