Key Information For Admissions Reception to Sixth Form September 2021 - July 2022 1 General Policy

Old Palace of School is an academically selective school which provides for students of above average academic ability. All entrants should be able to benefit from the academic education provided. General points of entry to Old Palace are Pre School, Reception, Year 7, and Year 12. The school does admit students into other year groups if residual places become available. Selection for admissions to fill any residual places is by assessment as and when vacancies become available. Selection for vacancies will be on merit with the highest ranked being admitted. All potential candidates and their families should take the opportunity to attend an Open Event to meet the students and staff and to look around the School. Copies of the Prospectus can be obtained at Open Events, from the Admissions Registrar or the School website: www.oldpalace..sch.uk A candidate who wishes to be considered for entry into the School is to complete and submit the online Application Form, via the school website, by the date specified in this booklet. To complete the online form, you will be asked to upload a copy of the photo page of your child’s passport and to make payment of the £100 registration fee. The Admissions team will require sight of your child’s original passport, full birth certificate, a proof of home address (for example, a utility or council tax bill), together with a copy of your daughter’s most recent school report (for entry to Year 1 and above). No student will be admitted into the School until all formalities have been completed and all required documentation has been provided and verified.

Personal Information and Validity Old Palace respects the privacy rights of parents/carers and is committed to ensuring that it protects personal details and other information made available to the School in line with UK data protection law. It will be assumed that the information provided by the parent/carer is true to the best of the individual’s knowledge and belief. If a parent/carer submits false or deliberately misleading information or deliberately withholds any relevant information, the application becomes invalid and the place withdrawn. For further information on how we process your data and our terms and conditions, please read our Privacy Notices and Data Protection Policy (available on our website) and the John Parent Contract (provided by the School with all offers of places and available on the John Whitgift Foundation website).

2 3 Open Events Open Events

Pre School and Preparatory to Year 6 Senior School Year 7 to Year 13

Autumn Term 2020 Autumn Term 2020 Working Open Morning Thursday 17 September 9.30-11.00am Working Lunch Wednesday 23 September 1.00-3.00pm Whole School Open Day Saturday 3 October 2.00-4.00pm Whole School Open Day Saturday 3 October 9.00-11.00am Working Open Morning Thursday 19 November 9.30-11.00am Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 8 October 5.00-7.00pm Working Lunch Wednesday 4 November 1.00-3.00pm Spring Term 2021 Working Open Morning Thursday 11 March 9.30-11.00am Spring Term 2021 Open Afternoon Saturday 6 February 2.00-4.00pm Summer Term 2021 Working Lunch Wednesday 24 February 1.00-3.00pm Working Open Mornings Thursday 29 April 9.30-11.00am Thursday 10 June 9.30-11.00am Summer Term 2021 Open Afternoon Saturday 5 June 2.00-4.00pm

Please be aware that, due to the Covid-19 situation, Open Events may need to be held as virtual events. Please be aware that, due to the Covid-19 situation, Open Events may need to be held as virtual events. Places at Open Events may be booked through our school website: www.oldpalace.croydon.sch.uk/admissions/open-days Places at Open Events may be booked through our school website: www.oldpalace.croydon.sch.uk/admissions/open-days

4 5 Entry into Reception Entry into Year 7 at age 11+

Girls may be admitted into Reception in the September following their fourth birthday. Applications All applicants will be assessed through written and online testing as well as through an interview. The are invited from September for entry into Reception the following September and assessments take most recent school report and a reference from the Head Teacher of the current school will also be place from then onwards. used to assess the suitability of candidates. External candidates and Old Palace Pre School girls are assessed for places. The assessments are held All internal candidates will be contacted by the Admissions Registrar during the Autumn term to in the Reception classrooms where we create a child friendly environment. They are designed to confirm whether or not they wish to be considered for entry into Year 7. The process is then the same enable your daughter to relax and feel at ease. as for external candidates although the registration fee is not required.

At 4+ we are looking for potential rather than what has already been learnt, and assessing readiness Areas to be assessed Method of assessment to learn in a more formal context. The assessment covers language and social skills, mathematics, physical and creative skills, as well as understanding the world. English Written test Parents/carers are also required to attend an interview with the Head of Preparatory. Mathematics Written test Key dates Reasoning Online test Entrance Assessments and Parent Interviews Ongoing through Autumn and General knowledge, academic Spring terms strenghths, creativity and Interview Closing date for written acceptance of places Tuesday 20 April 2021 wider interests Induction Morning Monday 21 June 2021 Parental support Interview

The written and online tests occur in the January of the year of entry. Places for students who meet the minimum requirements for entry will be offered based on ranking in the entrance examinations and assessments.

Interviews Interviews will be scheduled for parents/carers and students throughout the Autumn term. Students must bring to the interview a piece of work of which they are particularly proud and should be prepared to discuss the work with the interviewer. Candidates are interviewed by the Head or a member of the Senior Leadership Team for about 15 minutes. Parental support and alignment with the ethos and values of Old Palace are crucial for academic success. All parents/carers will be interviewed.

6 7 Key dates Year 7 Entry Residual Places

Subject to the availability of residual places, students may be admitted to the School. Further Key dates information may be obtained from the Admissions Registrar (please note that no financial awards are Interviews Throughout the Autumn term available for individual places). Closing date for the receipt of application forms Friday 27 November 2020 A candidate who wishes to be considered for entry into Years 1 to 6, and Years 8 to 10 will be assessed as follows unless the child is in Reception and applying for a residual place in Year 1. In this case, they Closing date for the receipt of Music will be assessed against the Early Years Foundation Stage Goals. Friday 27 November 2020 Scholarship and Music Award application forms The most recent school report and a reference from The Head Teacher of the current school will also Closing date for submission of bursary be used to assess the suitability of candidates. Friday 27 November 2020 applications In addition, candidates for Years 1 to 6 will be required to spend time in School. Where appropriate, older students may also be required to spend a day in School. Entrance Examinations Tuesday 5 January 2021 Music Scholarship assessments Thursday 7 and Areas to be assessed Method of assessment Friday 8 January 2021 English Written test Offers of places posted Tuesday 2 February 2021 Mathematics Written test Palace Group Information Meeting Tuesday 9 February 2021 Reasoning Written test (by invitation only) Communication skills, general Closing date for acceptance of places Thursday 4 March 2021 knowledge, academic strengths, Interview Year 7 Induction Evening (by invitation only) Tuesday 8 June 2021 creative skills and wider interests Induction Day (for students) Monday 21 June 2021 Parental support Interview

8 9 10 11 Entry into the Sixth Form Key dates Sixth Form Entry

An external candidate who wishes to be considered for entry into Year 12 must complete the online Key dates/Sixth Form application form and submit it by the specified date. Should a candidate, external or internal, wish to apply for a Sixth Form Scholarship or Exhibition, an additional Scholarship Application Form is Sixth Form Open Evening – 5.00pm-700pm Thursday 8 October 2020 available from the school website and must be submitted by the specified date. Closing date for receipt of application forms Entry to Old Palace Sixth Form is dependent upon GCSE results. All candidates and their parents will Thursday 29 October 2020 from external candidates be interviewed by the Head. If subsequently offered a place, the following Sixth Form entry criteria will need to be met: Closing date for receipt of applications for Sixth Wednesday 4 November 2020 • an OP entry score of 6 or more(1) Form Academic Scholarships and Exhibitions a grade 6 or above in English and Mathematics • Sixth Form Scholarship General Paper – (2) Saturday 7 November 2020 • a viable programme of Sixth Form study aptitude test

(1) The OP entry score is calculated using the GCSE 9 point scale and using the best 8 GCSE or iGCSE results of the Outcome of Scholarship General Paper posted Thursday 11 November 2020 applicant. Only GCSEs taken in the Summer of Year 11 will be included. Where grades are still being awarded they will be converted into points as follows: Practical Assessments for Exhibitions w/c 16 November 2020 Closing date for receipt of option forms from GCSE or iGCSE grade A* A B C D E Monday 16 November 2020 internal candidates Entry points awarded 8.5 7 5.5 4 3 2 Interviews with the Head for external w/c 16 November 2020 The OP entry score is then calculated. candidates

(2) A viable programme of study consists of at least three A level courses, a two year AS course counts as half. Sixth Form Scholarship/Exhibition Interviews w/c 16 November 2020 for shortlisted candidates The minimum criteria that must be met for automatic acceptance onto a course in Year 12 is outlined on our website. Closing date for submission of Bursary Friday 27 November 2020 application Conditional Offers of places, Scholarships and Thursday 3 December 2020 Exhibitions posted Closing date for acceptance of Sixth Form Friday 8 January 2021 places, Scholarships and Exhibitions

12 13 Scholarships and Awards

The Emily Ayckbowm Scholarship, John Whitgift Scholarship, Music Scholarship, Mathematics, Academic Scholarships and Awards English, Reasoning and Head’s Awards and Music Awards are awarded for entry into Year 7 only. There are a number of financial awards carrying substantial remission which are offered to candidates Academic Scholarships are awarded for entry into Year 7 and Year 12. of outstanding merit and potential, regardless of parental means. These include: Exhibitions are available for entry into Year 12 only. • The Emily Ayckbowm Scholarship, the second highest ranking Academic Scholarship, worth 50% of the school fees Choral Scholarships are awarded for Year 3 only. • The John Whitgift Scholarship, the highest ranking Academic Scholarship, worth 50% of the All students sitting the January Year 7 entrance test will automatically be considered for an Academic school fees Scholarship and all awards except for Music. If a candidate is interested in applying for a Music Scholarship or Music Award this should be indicated on the application form. Once awarded, a • Academic Scholarship, worth 25% of the school fees for Year 7 and up to 50% for Year 12 Scholarship will remain in place throughout a student’s school career provided she maintains the • Music Scholarship, worth 25% of the school fees expected standards. • Mathematics Award, worth 18.5% of the school fees Sixth Form candidates may apply for Scholarships during Year 11. Candidates will be required to complete an application form, a personal statement, a written examination and to present for an • English Award, worth 18.5% of the school fees interview. Candidates who were awarded a Scholarship at entry in Year 7 will carry this forward into • Reasoning Award, worth 18.5% of the school fees the Sixth Form unless expected standards for GCSE have not been maintained. Candidates may apply for an Academic Scholarship and an Exhibition but can be awarded only one of these. • Head’s Award, worth 12.5% of the school fees Sixth Form Scholarship and Exhibition offers are conditional upon GCSE results and students meeting • Exhibitions, worth up to 50% of the school fees (available to Year 12 entry only) subject specific entrance criteria. • Music Awards, worth the equivalent of instrumental lessons taken at school A small number of Academic Scholarships are awarded to candidates post-GCSE results. • Choral Scholarships, worth 10% of school fees (available to Year 3 entry only and valid to end of The additional Application Form for a Sixth Form Scholarship is available on the school website and Year 6) must be submitted by the specified date.

14 15 Music Scholarships and Instrumental Music Awards Choral Scholarships, offered at entry to Year 3 At the point of application for entry into Year 7, candidates who wish to be considered for a Music At the point of application for entry into Year 3, candidates who wish to be considered for a Choral Scholarship or Music Award should submit the application form on the School website. A good pass Scholarship should submit the application form on the School website. Applicants will be expected at Grade 4 may be taken as a guide to the standard expected when applying for an audition. The to attend the ‘Be a Chorister for a Day’ event at the as well as an audition at the Prep Application Form for Music Scholarships must be submitted by the specified date. School. The choral scholarships cease at the end of Year 6.

Closing date for the receipt of Monday 15 March 2021 Music Awards Choral Scholarship applications Music Awards are offered to musicians who demonstrate outstanding musical potential on at least Attendance at one instrument. Music Awards take the form of a financial award to cover the cost of instrumental Saturday 20 March 2021 tuition on one instrument to the value of the cost of lessons taken in School. The lessons may be ‘Be a Chorister for the Day’ – Croydon Minster taken within school or with a private tutor. Choral Scholarship Auditions Tuesday 23 March 2021 Music Scholarship Offers of Choral Scholarship places posted Tuesday 30 March 2021 Closing date for written acceptance of The Music Scholarship is available to an exceptionally gifted musician and is worth 25% of the school Tuesday 20 April 2021 fees. Choral Scholarship places The same audition process is undertaken for both Music Awards and Music Scholarships. Auditions for Music Scholarships and Music Awards occur early in the Spring term. Exhibitions (Year 12) The School reserves the right not to make awards should a suitable candidate not be forthcoming. Exhibitions are awarded for students demonstrating outstanding talents combined with an above average academic record. Exhibitions are awarded in Art, Dance, Drama, DT: Product Design, Music and Photography. Candidates will be required to complete an application form, a personal statement, Conditions a written examination, an audition or subject specific interview and a formal interview. Candidates Those holding Music Awards or the Music Scholarship will be expected to make a strong are required to achieve a secure standard in the academic Scholarship paper and demonstrate contribution to the musical life of the School, involving themselves in choral and orchestral activities significant talent in an audition or portfolio of work. Offers are conditional upon GCSE results and as appropriate. An individual termly programme for all Music Award/Scholarship holders is devised, students meeting the Old Palace Sixth Form entrance criteria. Students receiving an Exhibition are bearing in mind examination commitments, national and/or regional orchestras and the School’s required to study the subject throughout the Sixth Form. music calendar. Candidates who wish to be considered for an exhibition should submit the additional Application It is expected that the Music Scholar will take Music to at least GCSE level. Form which can be downloaded from the School website. The School reserves the right to remove Scholarships and Awards if the conditions outlined above are not met.

16 17 John Whitgift Foundation Bursaries Fees - 2020/21

A Bursary is an income related fee reduction. John Whitgift Foundation provides in excess Year Group Fees Per Term Fees Per Annum of £6,000,000 of funding for Bursaries annually. A Bursary application can only be made at the point of application for entry into Year 7 and Year 12. John Whitgift Foundation makes Reception to Year 2 £3,951 £11,854 available a Bursary fund to support students from low income families as part of its charitable commitment to the community and the education of young people. Years 3 to 5 £4,128 £12,385 There is a generous but limited annual budget for Bursaries which are awarded on the basis Year 6 £4,870 £14,609 of performance in the entrance examinations and interviews for those who qualify in terms of their income. Usually parents/carers whose total family annual income and assets fall Years 7 to 13 £5,365 £16,096 below £80,000 a year (current figures are available directly from John Whitgift Foundation) The fees are payable termly in advance, or monthly by direct debit, and include the cost of may apply for a Bursary. most stationery and textbooks, but exclude some items such as trips, public examination Bursaries will be assessed annually by John Whitgift Foundation and may fluctuate according and UCAS entry fees. Individual music tuition is provided at an extra charge. Lunches at to a family’s financial situation. Once awarded (at either entry to Year 7 or Year 12) the Bursary Preparatory are compulsory and are charged at £2.50 per day. Lunches at Seniors are will remain in place until a student leaves at the end of Year 13, on the condition that she optional. Old Palace runs a cashless catering system at Seniors so a student’s card needs to be continues to strive for excellence in her academic work and contributes as fully as possible credited with appropriate funds on a regular basis. to the life of the school. The school reserves the right to remove a Bursary if a student’s attendance, progress or behaviour is unsatisfactory. Security Deposits A Bursary application must be made in advance of the Entrance Examination via the School website. Bursary applications which are not supported by the required documentation will To secure the place, written acceptance is required by the specified deadline along with a not be considered. security deposit of £800. The Clerk to John Whitgift Foundation calculates the Bursary award. The scale of Bursaries can In the event of any loss or damage to school property, parents will be billed accordingly. be found at: www.whitgiftfoundation.co.uk This deposit will be returned once the student has left the School, all fees have been paid, Scholarships may be combined with Bursaries. all school property has been returned in good condition and no money is owed to the Foundation or Old Palace. Should a candidate secure a place and then not join the School the deposit will not be refunded and parents will be required to pay, in full, the first term’s fees if notice of withdrawal is given with less than a term’s notice. The Sixth Form security deposit of £800 will be refunded in the event of the GCSE criteria for entry not being met. If written acceptance is not received by the specified deadline the place will be offered to the next person on the waiting list.

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Old Palace of John Old Palace Road Croydon CR0 1AX Telephone: 020 8688 2027 Email: [email protected] www.oldpalace.croydon.sch.uk

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