Admissions Process

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Admissions Process

ADMISSION PROCESS

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.

Jackie Plewes

Assistant Head (Registrar and Events)

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Juliette Sheldon

Director of Admissions

In This Section

The Process

FIRST STEPS
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. From here we will then guide you through the following stages for entry: Stage 1 - Registration Registration & £100 administration fee 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.

FIRST STEPS

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.

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

Stage 1 - Registration

Registration & £100 administration fee

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.

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
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.

SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES

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.

EMBRACE YOUR DESTONACITY

We aim to be recognised as, without question, one of the best value boarding and day schools in the country, and to provide for our pupils the best possible educational foundation for life.

Start your journey