We understand how important choosing a new school is for the whole family and the Admissions Team are here to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
By spending time getting to know our prospective families, by answering questions and easing concerns, we have an opportunity to ensure places are offered to pupils who are an all-round good fit for St Margaret’s.
Admissions offers are based not just on an entrance exam, but also by meeting pupils, through interview and school reports and we pride ourselves on prioritising potential over prior attainment. We would encourage you to visit, whether that is on an Open Day or a 1-1 tour, this will give you the opportunity to meet us, see the School and start to get a sense of this very special place.
Nursery
The Nursery at St Margaret’s is a term time nursery for children from 2 to 4. Children enjoy nursery life during their pre-school years, before they start in Reception.
Based in a beautiful, light and spacious setting, children immerse themselves in learning through play.
The EYFS curriculum informs our practice and children are supported to progress across all areas of learning, as well as taking part in outdoor education, with plenty of time and space to be outside.
The core day is 8am to 4pm, with drop-off available from 7.30am and wraparound care available from 4pm to 6pm (5pm on Friday).
During initial meetings with the Nursery Manager and team, we spend time getting to know more about your child, including developmental milestones, the food your child eats and any other important medical information to ensure they settle and flourish here at St Margaret’
Deciding on a nursery for your child is hard enough, the admissions process should be straightforward.
We are here to make your application for a place as stress-free as possible and the guide below will help you to understand the process and know what comes next. Please do be in touch if you have questions, we will be happy to help.
Visit Us
We are looking forward to meeting you
Our weekly 1-1 tours and Open Days are an opportunity for you to meet us, see the Nursery and learn more about what it means to be part of our community; from the care your child will receive, to the relationships they will make and the opportunities they are offered.
Registration
Complete and submit a registration form and fee
The registration form provides us with key information about your child and the sessions you need. Children in Lower and Upper Nursery are required to attend at least 4 sessions per week, with children in Pre-Reception (one year from starting Reception) required to attend for a minimum of 6 sessions per week. Priority on a waiting list will be given to children looking to attend full time.
In the term after children turn 3, they may be eligible for 15 hours free early education. For families that access this funding, we ask that children attend The Nursery for a minimum of 25 hours per week.
We are currently running a waiting list for entry. In the first instance please do be in touch with Admissions for advice on the availability of places.
Assessment
Getting to know you
Whilst there is no formal assessment required for children looking to join Lower or Upper Nursery, we will meet with you and your child to ensure there is a match between the care and education we offer and your child. Pre-Reception (3+) children are invited for an age-appropriate assessment and taster session.
After we have received your registration form and fee, we will be in touch to arrange either an e-meet or to invite you and your child into School. If your child already attends a Nursery or Pre-school, we will also request a confidential reference report.
Offers and Acceptance
How to secure your Nursery place
Offers are sent out within 2 weeks of the assessment meeting and, due to the high demand for places, need to be formally accepted within 2 weeks of receipt. A non-refundable deposit of £1000 is required to secure your child’s place. This deposit (minus any costs that are still outstanding) is returned to you at the end of your child’s final term.
Preparing for Nursery
Welcome to The Nursery at St Margaret'sBefore your child starts at The Nursery you will receive our Joining Information Pack which requests detailed information regarding your child’s medical history, dietary needs and emergency contacts. Our Nursery Team will then be in touch to invite you and your child into School for an "All about Me” session to ensure we fully understand your child's needs and to answer any questions you may have.
Joining The Junior School
St Margaret’s Junior School is split into Lower Juniors, Reception to Year 3 and Upper Juniors, Year 4 to Year 6.
The main entry points into the Junior School are into Reception and again into Year 3. We are also able to consider applications for entry into other year groups where we have occasional spaces.
All registered children will be invited to an assessment and taster session, appropriate for their age and year group; this normally takes place during the autumn/winter of the academic year prior to entry.
The offer of a place is at the discretion of the Head of Junior School who will take into consideration the assessment day feedback, as well as a current school or nursery report and/or confidential reference report. Children may be offered a place, declined a place or placed on a waiting list.
Demand into Reception is high, with places offered, in the first instance, to children who attend The Nursery at St Margaret’s and just one third of places offered to external applicants.
Visit Us
We are looking forward to meeting you
If you are interested in entry at 7+ or an alternative year group and have not visited the School, we would recommend in the first instance that you contact us to check availability and then book a 1-1 tour with the Head of Junior School.
Registration
Complete and submit a registration form and fee
The registration form provides us with key information about your child, their current school and the proposed date of entry.
Whilst there is no registration deadline for occasional places, please do get in touch and our Admissions Team will confirm availability of places.
Assessment
Attend an assessment day
Assessment days for September entry for 7+/Year 3 and for occasional spaces within other year groups (outside of The Nursery and Reception) will take place during the autumn term.
We will also, at this stage, contact your child’s current school to request a confidential reference report and school report.
Offers and Acceptance
How to secure your Junior School place
Offers are sent out within 2 weeks of the assessment meeting and due to the high demand of places need to be formally accepted within 2 weeks of receipt. A non-refundable deposit of £1000 is required to secure your child’s place. This deposit (minus any costs that are still outstanding) is returned to you at the end of your child’s final term.
Preparing for School
Welcome to St Margaret's Junior School
Before your child starts at School you will receive our Joining Information Pack which requests detailed information regarding your child’s medical history, dietary needs and emergency contacts. For those children joining in September, during the summer term they will be invited to attend in-school activities designed to smooth the transition to St Margaret’s.
Joining The Senior School
The main entry points into St Margaret’s Senior School are Year 7 (11+) and Year 9 (13+). We do sometimes have occasional places available in other year groups and would recommend that you contact the Admissions Team if you are looking for entry into an alternative year.
Entrance assessment days normally take place during the autumn term of the year prior to entry and typically the deadline for registration will be at least two weeks before these assessment days take place. Entry to the Senior School is based not just on performance in a verbal, non-verbal and maths test, but also an interview with a member of the Senior Management Team, school reports and a confidential reference report sought from the candidate’s current Head.
We are a school that understands that ability comes in all shapes and sizes, and that progress is made at a child’s own pace. We believe that each pupil has unlimited potential when given the right opportunities and encouragement.
How to Apply 11+
Joining St Margaret’s Senior School in Year 7
We understand that this may be the first time many pupils have been involved in a formal school selection process and the anxiety this can cause. This is why we make sure our assessment days also include fun and interactive taster sessions, as well as a tour of the School site.
We also know that the decision on a new school will be made by the whole family, so our admissions process allows everyone to get involved; to get to know us, to visit whenever possible and to engage with our wider community. We are committed to working alongside families for the very best outcomes.
Visit Us
We are looking forward to meeting you
Deciding on a new school should be exciting, but we also know it can be daunting. By visiting us on an Open Day or 1-1 tour your whole family can, not only start to have a sense of the School site and facilities, but also begin to really get to know us as a community.
Registration
Complete and submit a registration form and fee
The registration form provides us with key information about your child, their current school and the proposed date of entry.
The application process for Year 7 entry in September is now open, with assessments taking place during the week commencing 20 November . All pupils registered with us will be invited to attend one of these sessions.
Assessment
Attend an assessment day and taster session
The next step is to invite your child in to complete an entrance assessment, attend a 1-1 interview and enjoy a taster session.
Our 11+/Year 7 entrance assessment days take place at the end of November each year and all candidates that have registered will be invited to attend.
We will, at this stage, also contact your child’s current school to request a confidential reference report and school report.
Offers and Acceptance
How to secure your Year 7 Place
Offers are normally sent out no later than the first week of February, and so that families are able to consider all options, the acceptance deadline is set at 5 March , a few days after National Offer Day.
A non-refundable deposit of £1000 (day place) and £2000 (boarding place) is required to secure your child’s place. This deposit (minus any costs that are still outstanding) is returned to you at the end of your child’s final term.
Preparing for School
Welcome to St Margaret's Senior School
Before your child starts at School you will receive our Joining Information Pack which requests detailed information regarding your child’s medical history, dietary needs, coach routes and co-curricular clubs. For those children joining in September during the summer term and beyond, they will be invited to take part in a variety of activities designed to smooth the transition to St Margaret’s.
How to Apply 13+
Joining St Margaret’s Senior School in Year 9
Whether a deferred entry application or for a more immediate start, we are happy to consider applications for entry into Year 9.
As an additional key entry point, we are seeing increased interest in Year 9 applications. But whether a pupil joins us at Year 7 or Year 9, the process remains the same, spend time getting to know us, visit often and be in touch if you have questions. We understand this is an important decision and will always be here to ease any concerns you have.
Visit Us
We are looking forward to meeting you
Nothing can replace that first-hand experience of visiting a school and if possible we would urge you to book onto one of our Open Days or 1-1 personal tours. We understand that choosing a new school is important and visiting is just the beginning of the process.
Registration
Complete and submit a registration form and fee
The registration form provides us with key information about your child, their current school and the proposed date of entry.
For deferred Year 9 entry candidates, we are happy to accept registrations from pupils in Year 5 upwards, with a view to an assessment taking place once they are in Year 6 or 7.
The application process for Year 9 standard entry, and Y9 deferred entry for and , is now open. The deadline to register with us is 6 November with assessments taking place during the week commencing 20 November .
Assessment
Attend an assessment day and taster session
During the autumn term we will be in touch to invite your child in to complete an entrance assessment, attend a 1-1 interview and enjoy a taster session.
Both our 13+/Year 9 deferred and standard entry entrance assessment days normally take place at the end of November and all candidates that have registered will be invited to attend.
We will, at this stage, also contact your child’s current school to request a confidential reference report and school report.
Offers and Acceptance
How to secure your Year 9 place
Standard entry Year 9 offers are normally sent out during February and so that families are able to consider all options, the acceptance deadline is always set to be a few days after National Offer Day.
Deferred entry Year 9 offer letters are normally sent out within a few weeks of the assessment day and families will have 2-3 weeks to confirm their acceptance of a place.
A non-refundable deposit of £1000 (day place), £1500 (deferred entry place) or £2000 (boarding place) is required to secure your child’s place. This deposit (minus any costs that are still outstanding) is returned to you at the end of your child’s final term.
Preparing for School
Welcome to St Margaret's Senior School
Before your child starts at School you will receive our Joining Information Pack which requests detailed information regarding your child’s medical history, dietary needs, coach routes and co-curricular clubs. For those children joining in September during the summer term and beyond, they will be invited to take part in a variety of activities designed to smooth the transition to St Margaret’s.
Joining The Sixth Form
St Margaret’s School Sixth Form is a vibrant community where students grow in confidence and become independent.
In 70% of all A-Level grades achieved were A* - B, with pupils heading off to study a range of subjects at some prestigious UK and international universities, including Medicine at KCL, Law at QMU, English and Drama at Exeter, Neuroscience at Warwick, Pharmacy at UCL and Drama at The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.
Entry to our Sixth Form requires a minimum of 6 level 5s at GCSE including English Language and Maths. In addition, students must reach the entry requirements for the subjects they choose to study at A-level.
Applicants for Sixth Form will also be invited for a 1-1 interview with either the Head of Sixth Form or Head as part of the admissions process and offers made will be conditional on both GCSE results and performance at interview.
Many of our pupils stay on into Sixth Form at St Margaret’s, but we also welcome applications from external candidates.
St Margaret's Sixth Form is a popular entry point for both UK and international students. Offering an engaging academic, pastoral and higher education programme, and the opportunity to choose from over 20 subjects to best suit academic interests, our Sixth form students are well supported through their final school years leaving St Margaret's having grown in confidence and independence.
Visit Us
We are looking forward to meeting you
For those who have not visited the School before, we would recommend the first step to be to book onto a Sixth Form Open Evening, one of our Open Days or 1-1 tours. We would encourage the whole family to take the opportunity to meet us and to hear from both staff and pupils about life at St Margaret’s and how we support students to find their own pathway onto higher educate
Registration
Complete and submit a registration form and fee
The registration form provides us with key information about your child, their current school and the proposed date of entry. The deadline for Sixth Form registration for September entry is 24 February , however we are often able to also consider out of cycle applications, so please do be in touch if you have an enquiry.
Assessment
The qualifications needed for entry into Sixth Form
Following receipt of the registration form and fee, Sixth Form applicants will be invited to attend an interview, either face-to-face or virtually, and offers made will be conditional upon performance at interview, any entrance tests required of the applicant, a current school report, confidential reference report, safeguarding information and GCSE results.
Offers and Acceptance
How to secure your Sixth Form place
Conditional offers are normally sent out within 2 weeks of the interview and receipt of a current school report and need to be formally accepted within 2 weeks. A non-refundable deposit of £1000 (day place) and £2000 (boarding place) is required to secure your child’s place. This deposit (minus any costs that are still outstanding) is returned to you at the end of your child’s final term.
Preparing for Sixth Form
Welcome to St Margaret's Senior School
Before your son or daughter starts at School you will receive our Joining Information Pack which requests detailed information regarding medical history, dietary needs, coach routes and co-curricular clubs. There are a series of in-school events scheduled through both the summer term prior to joining and the initial autumn term, to ease the transition and ensure students are welcomed way before they officially join St Margaret’s.
International Admissions
How to apply from overseas
St Margaret’s international pupils represent over 20 countries.
We place high value on the contribution to our community and the diversity our international students bring. We welcome international applications across the whole school and offer boarding places from Year 7 onwards. Applications can be made directly or through an agent that we are partnered with and who may assist with visas, translation and entrance assessments.
St Margaret’s School is a licensed student sponsor and sponsors non-British and Irish day and boarding pupils via the Child Student Visa route. All non-British or Irish passport holders/citizens will be required to have the relevant immigration status to study at St Margaret’s. This may be EU Pre-Settled or Settled Status, Indefinite Leave to Remain, Permanent Residency, BNO Visa or Child Student Visa sponsored by the School.
We work hard to make our international admissions process as stress-free as possible, the guide below will take you through each step, but please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to arrange a virtual meet.
Registration
Complete and submit a registration form and fee
The registration form provides us with key information about your child, their current school and the proposed date of entry. A registration fee of £150 for overseas applications is requested upon completion of the form.
Assessment
Assessment will be based on a virtual interview, a current school report and English and Maths entrance exams. Entrance assessments will need to be overseen by an agent, the current school or the British Council. UKiset results can also be considered.
Offer & Acceptance
Offers are normally sent out within 2 weeks of the interview and receipt of a current school report and need to be formally accepted within 2 weeks.
A non-refundable deposit of £1000 (day place) and £2000 (boarding place) is required to secure your child’s place. This deposit (minus any costs that are still outstanding) is returned to you at the end of your child’s final term.
Welcome to St Margaret's School
Once the deposit and acceptance of offer is confirmed we will be able to apply for a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) number to support visa applications.
Before your son or daughter starts at School you will receive our Joining Information Pack which requests detailed information regarding UK guardians, medical history, dietary needs and co-curricular clubs.
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