Admissions Journey
JUNIOR SCHOOL
The Junior School has a one form entry with an average class size of 18.
Parents considering 9+ entry to Year 5, will be invited to visit the school and to meet Mr Andrew Hammond, Headmaster. A taster day will be offered to your child and they will be informally observed in the classroom, to help us gain a sense of your child’s level in Maths and English. We will also request a reference from their current school. Outcome letters will be sent following the taster day.
Occasional places may become available in other Junior School year groups and the school will accept applications throughout the year. Please contact Admissions for up to date information about available places.
Automatic entry to the Junior School is offered to registered siblings and children of Alumni.
We are very proud to be a non-selective school, precisely because we know that innate ability comes in many forms, extending far beyond the narrow metric of academic assessment. We don’t just ask ‘How smart are you?’, rather we pose the question, ‘How are you smart?’ Our cherished pupils make up a lively community of budding scientists, artists, dancers, authors, carers, musicians and athletes, all sharing a spirit of adventure and a thirst for knowledge. For this very reason we do not have a formal entrance exam at any entry point.
11+ ENTRY
The main entry point to our Senior School is at Year 7 (age 11+).
All registered potential candidates for entry to Year 7 will be invited for a Taster Day in the November prior to their September start date. They will join other prospective candidates for a day of lessons in subjects such as English, Science, Art and PE to give them a flavour of what a day at HSW in Year 7 might look like. The Taster Day is an opportunity for us to observe prospective students in the classroom whilst also offering such students the opportunity to determine whether our school is a good fit for them.
Following the Taster Day, we will look at school reports and references prior to offering a place.
Pupils who move up from our Junior School are offered places as a matter of course.
Time Line for Entry to Year 7:
1. At any time: Visit the school either on a private tour (email admissions: admissions@hsw.co.uk or on one of our Open Days: https://hsw.co.uk/admissions/open-day-registration/
2. Register via our online enquiry form and pay required registration fee: https://hsw.co.uk/admissions/how-to-apply/
3. November: Attend a Taster Day (all registered candidates will be emailed an invite)
4. Post Taster Day: Provide a copy of school reports and any other relevant information. We will seek a reference directly from the school.
5. Prior to Christmas: Offer letters sent
6. 28th February 2025: Offers to be accepted by payment of a non-refundable deposit.
OCCASIONAL PLACES IN OTHER YEAR GROUPS
Occasional places may become available in other school year groups and the school will accept applications throughout the year.
Once families have visited the school, we offer ad hoc Taster Days to interested applicants so that we are able to observe prospective students in the classroom whilst also offering such students the opportunity to determine whether our school is a good fit for them.
We will then look at reports and seek a reference from their current school to determine whether or not we are able to offer a place.
Please contact Admissions at admissions@hsw.co.uk for up to date information about available places.
SIXTH FORM
We are very excited to be launching our new Sixth Form in September 2023. Our aim is to provide a unique, dynamic and highly personalised experience for our young adults. Our ethos is founded on an unshakeable commitment to the health and self-worth of every student.
Our holistic view of education, means that we value not only our students’ academic endeavours, but also their creative and sporting talents, their personal aspirations and their individual character.
With small classes and tailored teaching for each individual, we have a proven track record of empowering our students to become well-rounded, confident individuals.
Further details on 6th Form Entry can be found here.
OVERSEAS PUPILS
International pupils benefit from a broad and exciting curriculum taught by subject specialist teachers who are experienced in working with children whose native language is not English.
Furthermore, we provide specialist EAL support for pupils who require it. For children unable to visit the school and experience a taster day, we will request references and reports from their current school.
We will also require these children to sit an English and Mathematics assessment which can be completed at their current school.
