How many children are in each year group?
Class sizes are intentionally kept small to provide a supportive learning environment. Infant School classes generally have around 16 pupils, Junior School classes typically have 18 pupils, and Senior School classes typically have 20 pupils.
What is the admissions process?
Our admissions process is straightforward:
- Contact our Admissions Officer to enquire about availability in your preferred year group.
- If there is no availability, you can choose to join the waiting list and we recommend you attend an Open Morning.
- If a place is available, you’ll be invited to tour the school and meet the Headmaster.
- If you wish to proceed, we’ll arrange an assessment visit for your child.
Are there any application fees?
Yes. Please refer to our Admissions Policy for details of the current application fees.
When should I apply for a Lower Prep (Reception) place?
You can apply at any time, although we recommend applying as early as possible. Assessment visits are generally arranged on a first-come, first-served basis early in the Autumn Term before your child is due to start. While most offers are made by the end of the Autumn Term, places may still become available during the Spring and Summer Terms.
When should I apply for a Year 7 place?
Applications are accepted throughout the year, but Year 7 assessments take place at the beginning of December before entry. Applications received after this date will normally be placed on the waiting list, although additional assessments may be arranged if places remain available.
What paperwork is required during the application process?
You’ll need to complete an online application form and provide your child’s most recent school report. We will also request a confidential reference from your child’s current school.
When will I know if my child has been offered a place?
For most year groups, families are usually notified within one to two weeks of the assessment visit, provided all paperwork and assessment fees have been received. Year 7 applicants are informed at the end of the Autumn Term initially and during the Spring Term as places become available.
What happens during an assessment visit?
Assessment visits vary depending on your child’s age:
- Lower Prep (Reception): A relaxed 45–60 minute stay-and-play session.
- Year 1: A morning visit including informal assessments and classroom activities.
- Years 2–6: A full school day with Maths, English and Creative Writing assessments alongside a typical classroom experience.
- Years 7–11: A full school day following the normal timetable, with Maths, English and Creative Writing assessments.
What happens if there isn’t a place available?
If your chosen year group is full, you can join the waiting list. We’ll contact you if a place becomes available. Any associated waiting list fees are detailed in our Admissions Policy.
Do you prioritise siblings?
Yes. We recognise the importance of keeping families together and, wherever possible, siblings of current Heritage School pupils are given priority.
Do you accept applications from children with SEND?
Yes. We welcome applications from children with SEND and encourage families to read our SEND Policy for further information about the support we provide and our admissions process.
What provision do you have for pupils with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities?
Children with specific learning needs such as dyslexia, whose level of need is a small amount of one-to-one or small group support can thrive at Heritage. Parents can pay a modest amount for additional one-to-one support in school but we are unable to offer a place to pupils with significant special educational needs requiring substantial one-to one support.
Do you have an English as an Additional Language (EAL) unit?
We do not have a dedicated EAL unit. However, we have pupils from a wide range of cultural and language backgrounds who thrive at Heritage, and some families choose to arrange additional English tuition outside of school.
Can families living overseas apply?
Yes. We welcome applications from overseas families. The admissions process is adapted where necessary, with Headmaster meetings taking place online and assessments completed remotely if travelling to the school is not possible.
Do you accept short-term pupils?
Where places are available, we may accept pupils for shorter periods, typically ranging from one term to one year. Admission is subject to space being available and the child meeting our admissions requirements. We do not accept applications from families visiting the UK for less than one school term.
Do you sponsor Tier 4 student visas?
No. We are not able to support Tier 4 visa applications.