Entry to Close Lea House

Close Lea House’s has a reputation as an outstandingly successful nursery school catering for the 2-4 age range. It is a very important department in this highly prestigious school. Children are expected to join the main school (Kindergarten) in the academic year after they are four years old. We also have places simply for nursery education.

Close Lea House is a feeder for the main school. Placement allocation assessments will take place whilst your child is attending the Pre-Preparatory Department and priority is given to those children already attending Phoenix House and those who wish to enter the Main School. Places are also allocated from a dated registration list, with attention being given to the desirability of having a fair balance of boys and girls.

After your receipt of our details you may wish to visit the School and Close Lea House with the Headmistress. If you wish your child to be considered for a place you need to complete the registration form and return it to the school together with the registration fee. You would perhaps like to bring your child along for this visit.

After the School’s acknowledgement of the registration we shall invite your child along for screening. This informal process is conducted by the staff and Headmistress. The timing of the invitation for screening will depend upon the intended entry you wish for your child. The outcome of this process will be advised, again, depending on the date of entry. After an offer of a place is given, an acceptance agreement needs to be signed.

Part-time attendance may be arranged between the ages of 3 and 5 years on request, although by this stage most children are ready for the experience of full-time education, especially if they have attended our Nursery department. Parents are free to make this decision themselves – however, the school recommends full-time attendance from 3 years of age for most children. Our classes are formed according to the academic calendar year, which is 1 September to 31 August.

Settling your child in at Close Lea House

Once the school has offered your child a place the school ensures that your child will begin their Pre-Preparatory education happily and successfully.

We need your help:

• Please fill in the pro-forma ‘Settling in Sheet’. Your child’s class teacher will discuss this with you
• You will already be in possession of The Parents Handbook and your child’s curriculum, The Early Learning Goals and the Stepping Stones
• We teach through your child playing and being stimulated and actively involved in a balance of child initiated/adult led activities. You will receive a topic web telling you what these are for the term
• You will also receive a weekly breakdown
• You will be asked to share the experiences
• Your child will have ‘homework’. Please be involved in this
• We shall involve you in the pre-reading/writing skills your child will need
• We shall keep you informed of your child’s progress
• We would like to know what your child achieves at home. We can suggest plenty of activities for you to do at home if you are interested
• We have parents’ workshops for you to attend to learn all about your child’s school life
• We have information evenings for you to learn about the curriculum
• We have meetings for you to learn about Ofsted requirements and what we do to enable you to receive government funding.
• We send you copies of inspection reports and action plans
• We genuinely involve you and want to share your child’s learning with you

After Close Lea House

Your child will move to Main School to join Kindergarten the September after they are four years old. Priority will be given to children already attending Close Lea House and those children who are registered awaiting the offer of a place.

During your child’s Lower Kindergarten year you will be asked by the school if you wish your child to continue their education with us. The majority of children do so, and places are limited. Your child will have been assessed during Lower Kindergarten year and the School will be aware if your child is suited to the opportunities offered at Rastrick Preparatory.

It is expected that all children will be intending to proceed to Rastrick Preparatory but their entry will be subject to an assessment and a commitment from parents.

A place will be offered on condition that you intend to leave your child with us until they are at least 11 years old. We do not prepare children for exit to other schools at 7+, 8+, 9+ and 10+.