Admissions policy
For 13+ entry: An open list policy allows for acceptance of Registrations up to closing date given: currently 31st April in school year 6. The resulting cohort has meant up to three or four candidates per place available at 13+ in most categories (boy/girl/boarding/day).
The procedural policy for 13+ entry is established as Pre-testing early in the first term of school year 7 (at 11+) for conditional offer of place (acceptance onto Conditional Places List), subject to success in examinations taken during year of entry: College Entrance, Academic Scholarship or Common Entrance. There is also a Waiting List (in three parts). The Master's list, as operable, offers an opportunity to apply later for assessment on behalf of possible scholars or exceptional candidates on the recommendation of their school's Head-teacher.
The Master's vision for the school guides selection policy. In Pre-testing, children are in competition with regard to [1] academic ability, as indicated by scores and ranking in the two types of test (CAT & AaA) and by reference indicators, and [2] other aptitudes as indicated in interview and Head's reference. Both the subjective elements, interview and reference, are framed and reviewed in reference to the Master's codification of eight aptitudes, not least in order to maintain breadth of all-round ability within an intake. Factors stated as having a positive affect on marginal decisions are: sibling, O.W. family and Date of Registration.
Our general expectation at CE, of a 65% average, should not preclude application on behalf of children who may not attain that level but who are particularly talented at music, creative arts or sport. The competitive screening of Pre-testing does mean that the vast majority of candidates, who will have been offered conditional places, are expected to pass or surpass this expectation. Consideration for concession is, however, given to any Conditional Places List candidates not attaining this level, because of illness, because offering breadth of talent in other aptitudes or because of any of the three factors mentioned above: sibling, O.W. family and Date of Registration.
For 16+ entry: there is again very strong competition for most categories of entry. Application is requested by October 16th in the year ahead of entry. Candidates sit preliminary assessment and entrance examinations and have an interview at Wellington (if possible) in mid November for 1st December offers. Places are offered on the basis of decisions made in consideration of academic results, interview and reference. (Later testing may be conducted for late place availability). Successful candidates will usually attain 6 or more grades at A* or A (GCSE) or the equivalent.
Scholarships and Exhibitions, at 13+ and 16+, as detailed in separate annual information booklets and on the College's website, are awarded in competition and on merit for categories listed. Bursaries (means tested) are available: initially to support award winners and subsequently, if funds remain, other entrants. Very generous remission of fees is available for Foundationers: sons and daughters of deceased servicemen and servicewomen and of others who have died in acts of selfless bravery, subject to entrance requirement and according to the rules of the Foundation.
No boy or girl is disadvantaged in any of these processes as a result of disability, religion or ethnicity. Indeed, all admissions, including any at ages other than those above, are made in due observance of policy and details given by Registration Form, Acceptance Form, Scholarship booklets and Terms and Conditions.
RJWW 13/01/12