Admissions

Admissions at Ghyll Royd School and Pre-School

At Ghyll Royd School and Pre-School, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing, well-rounded, and inspiring educational environment. We are a non-selective school, welcoming applications from families who share our values and who are seeking a broad and balanced education for their child.

Our Admissions Process

We warmly encourage prospective families to visit the school for a personal tour, where they can experience first-hand the welcoming atmosphere, exceptional teaching, and strong sense of community that define Ghyll Royd.

Following a tour, children are invited to attend a taster day or shorter introductory sessions. This gives them the opportunity to explore the school, meet their potential classmates and teachers, and get a true sense of daily life at Ghyll Royd. These sessions also allow us to ensure that our environment is the right fit for your child’s needs and interests.

For our youngest children, we understand that settling in is a significant step. Pre-School children are welcome to attend as many taster sessions as staff and parents mutually feel are needed to help them feel secure, happy, and confident. Once both the school and the family feel confident in the fit, we will offer a place and request a completed registration form to confirm enrolment.

Points of Entry

We offer several natural points of entry throughout the early years:

• Little Adventurers: From age 2, children may join our youngest nursery group.
• Great Explorers: Typically, from around 3 years, following a review with staff and parents to assess readiness.
• Brave Pioneers: Usually from age 3 years and 9 months, again following a collaborative readiness assessment.
• Reception Class: In the September following a child’s 4th birthday.

We also welcome applications for other year groups, subject to availability.

Scholarships

In Key Stage 2 and occasionally in other year groups, a limited number of scholarships may be available. These are awarded to children who demonstrate outstanding ability in academics, music, the arts, or sport. For more details, please visit our Scholarships Information page.

Flexible Pre-School Options

Our Pre-School offers flexible attendance patterns to suit family needs. Children may attend on a part-time basis (morning or afternoon sessions) or full-time (full day sessions). Entry is available from age 2, and places are allocated based on the date we receive the completed Registration Form and fee, with priority given to siblings of current pupils. Please contact the School Office to discuss available options.

Transition to Reception and Beyond

Children from both our own Pre-School and external nurseries may register for entry into our Reception class. While we aim to support each child’s journey, we reserve the right to withdraw an offer if important information relevant to the admissions criteria has not been disclosed. Any decision to withdraw a place may be appealed in writing to the Chair of Governors.

In rare instances, if it becomes evident that a child is not flourishing due to undisclosed learning or behavioural needs, we may recommend alternative educational provision in the best interests of the child. Where possible, a term’s notice will be provided.

Oversubscription

In the event of oversubscription in Pre-School or Reception, places will be allocated based on the length of time on the waiting list and sibling priority. We will notify families as soon as a place becomes available.

At Ghyll Royd School and Pre-School, we warmly welcome applications from families of all backgrounds. We believe that a diverse school community enriches every child’s experience and plays an important role in preparing our pupils to thrive in an inclusive and global society. We are committed to treating all individuals with fairness and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or social background.

At Ghyll Royd School and Pre-School, we are proud to be an inclusive community and do not discriminate in any way with regard to admissions. We welcome applications from children with additional learning needs and/or physical disabilities, provided that we can offer the appropriate support and that our site can safely accommodate their needs. Further details can be found in our Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy.

We encourage parents of children with specific learning needs or physical disabilities to speak with us during or prior to their school visit. This allows us to have an open and collaborative discussion about your child’s individual requirements and the support we may be able to provide.

Where applicable, we kindly request that parents share any relevant documentation, such as an Educational Psychologist’s report, medical report, or records from a previous setting, before their child’s start date. This information helps us to assess whether your child’s needs fall within the scope of our Learning Support provision (which may incur an additional cost) and whether reasonable adjustments can be made, both academically and physically, to support their development within our school environment.

Together with you and your child’s healthcare or educational professionals, we aim to ensure that every child joining Ghyll Royd can thrive, feel supported, and enjoy a positive learning experience.

Ghyll Royd School offers means-tested bursaries to support families who may require financial assistance with school fees. To ensure a fair and thorough assessment, both parents are asked to provide detailed information about their income and assets. Bursaries are awarded for a period of 12 months, after which families must reapply with updated financial information each year. The level of support offered may vary depending on changes in a family’s financial circumstances.

Bursaries are available only to families who are permanent residents in the UK. We kindly ask that families who do not apply for a bursary at the time of their child’s assessment only do so later in the event of wholly unforeseen financial circumstances. This ensures that bursary funds are allocated fairly and responsibly to those with a genuine need.

Ghyll Royd School is non-denominational and welcomes pupils from all faiths.