Admissions

KEY DATES


Key assessment dates for September 2025 entry have now passed. However, we still have some places available and warmly welcome enquiries and registrations for this intake year.

WELCOME FROM THE ADMISSIONS TEAM

Welcome to our Admissions process. We are here to help you through every step of the Admission and On-boarding journey, making your transition to us as smooth as possible.

Juliette Sheldon leads our Admissions team. Juliette has a wealth of experience in dealing with all Admissions queries. Juliette works closely with Jackie Plewes, our Assistant Head (Registrar and Events) to ensure that each family is guided through the admissions process to suit their individual requirements through Open Days, individual visits, taster days and frequent communication.

During the process, you will also be introduced to and supported by members of staff who will be integral to parts of your journey at Denstone. We hope that as a family, you will quickly begin to get a sense of and feel part of our strong community here at Denstone.

With the introduction of The Prep at Denstone College, we look forward to welcoming pupils from Reception right through to the Sixth Form. Where there are more applicants than places available, a waiting list will operate; we therefore encourage prospective parents to make contact early in their selection process. Many parents register well in advance of their chosen start date.

MEET OUR TEAM


As part of your Admissions Process you will meet many people from our community, however Jackie Plewes and Juliette Sheldon will be your key contacts during enrolment.

Get in touch

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Jackie Plewes

Assistant Head (Registrar and Events)

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Juliette Sheldon

Head of Admissions

ADMISSIONS PROCESS


Whichever year you are interested in, the first step is to come in and visit us, see first-hand what we have to offer and meet key members of our team. We invite you in to see our wonderful facilities and see our children at work and play.

FIRST STEPS

From here we will then guide you through the following stages for entry: 

Stage 1 - Registration

Registration & £100 administration fee (more information on the link below)
 
Provide a copy of the pupil/s most recent school report and passport 

If you are applying for a place from September 2025 onwards, please click here

Stage 2 (for College) - Assessment & Experience Day 

We hold our main Assessment days in November. The day will comprise three Cognitive Abilities Tests (CAT4), along with an interview and some fun problem-solving activities. We hope that, in addition to the assessments, the structure of the day will give children a chance to experience some of the many opportunities that Denstone has to offer. It will also give them a chance to meet each other and some of our staff at the College.  

Stage 2 (for Prep) - Taster Day

Once we have received a completed Registration of Interest Form, pupils will be invited in to experience a taster day. Pupils will work and play alongside our existing pupils. They will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of the small school within a bigger school setting, meeting the Head and her team of amazing, nurturing staff.

Stage 3 - The Outcome

You will be written to shortly after the Assessment (College) or Taster Day (Prep). When offered a place, we will ask that acceptance is completed, alongside the payment of a deposit as soon as possible. This will ensure that place is secured. 

Stage 4 - On-boarding

We will then look forward to taking you through the on-boarding process. This will include mailings and meetings which are there to help make the transition process as easy as possible. Juliette, Jackie and team remain on hand right through the process and are always available to support you. 

THE ASSESSMENT
The Cognitive Abilities Tests (CAT4) are designed to help assess pupils’ learning styles and academic potential. These are not tests that are designed to be revised or prepared for. The CAT4 is a timed assessment and therefore does not allow for extra time to be used. In addition, it is not permitted for a reader to read questions to candidates, although instructions can be read. The assessments are completed online; computers and headphones will be provided, along with paper and pens if pupils wish to use these for rough working.
SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES (For 13+ and 16+)
If you are applying for your child to be considered for an academic scholarship, this will be based on their CAT4 scores and their approach to the problem-solving activities. They will also be asked additional questions in their interviews, which are designed to extend their thinking. Scholarship candidates in Art, DT, Drama, Music and Sport are likely to be invited in for a further assessment on a subsequent date. Further information about the requirements for the application and assessment can be found at here.
Hardship bursaries ( prep & college )
If you are applying for a Hardship Bursary, please do ensure that you have completed and submitted the application alongside the Registration form. Information and the relevant form can be found here.

No website, prospectus, virtual tour or social media platform can do this College justice – a place which thrives on human interaction and relationships. Please do take the time to come and see us in action – the door is always open.

SEE FOR YOURSELF


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Scholarships


 

Scholarships are awarded in recognition of outstanding ability in a number of areas: academic, art, drama, design and technology, music and sport. We value our scholars highly and encourage their development through the range of programmes in place to support our most ambitious pupils in different academic and co-curricular areas.

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Bursaries


A small number of bursaries are available each year to pupils whose parents could not otherwise afford the fees. They are open to pupils joining in any year group, and are not strictly limited to scholarship candidates.

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ADMISSIONS AT DENSTONE