Christian Ethos Statement

Admissions Policy

Behaviour Policy

Anti-Bullying Policy

Child Protection Policy

Educational Visits Policy

First Aid Policy

Complaints Procedure

Assessment Policy

Safer Recruitment Policy

PSHE & Citizenship Policy

Admissions Policy

1. Heritage is a co-educational, independent day school for pupils aged 4 and up. We expect Heritage to grow year on year through the secondary level.
2. Trustees are responsible for admissions and the operation of this policy.
3. The aims of this policy are:
   • To ensure compliance with the school's stated aim and core values.
   • To identify families who appear to share the educational values and embrace the ethos of the school and to identify pupils who have the potential to contribute to the school community and benefit from the many opportunities that are offered here.
   • To ensure that all applicants to the school are treated fairly.
4. Heritage welcomes children from all backgrounds and it is entirely contrary to the Christian ethos of the school to discriminate against prospective pupils on the grounds of race, religion, gender or socio-economic group.
5. The selection criteria and interview procedure is determined and reviewed from time to time by Trustees.

Admissions Process

1. The process for admission to Heritage will normally be as follows:
   • Prospective parents/guardians visit Heritage for an open morning or a prearranged introductory visit. The aim of this part of the process is for parents/guardians to assess the suitability of the school for their child.
   • On a subsequent occasion (in most cases), an enrolment interview with prospective parents/guardians, together with the pupil in question, is conducted. Parents/guardians of applicants with special educational needs or disabilities (see below), or other academic or behavioural issues of which the parents/guardians are aware, should make these clear at the enrolment interview. They must also be declared on the Enrolment Form. Wherever possible, full written details, including copies of reports prepared by educational psychologists, must be made available to Heritage. Heritage may seek a written reference from the applicant's current school or nursery.
   • Within 5 working days of that interview, Heritage will offer a place, explain why a place cannot be offered or explain why there is a delay in offering a place.
   • Successful applicants will be sent, with the offer letter, an Admissions Policy, Christian Ethos Statement and Enrolment Form. Parents/guardians must complete, sign and return the Enrolment Form with a £300 non-refundable enrolment fee (payable to 'Child Light Limited'), which will be deducted from the first term's fees.
   • Only when the Enrolment Form and cheque are received will that child's place be secured. If no response to the offer of a place has been received, the school will assume that the offer has been declined and the place may be offered to another applicant.
2. Parents/guardians of a child who has not gained a place at the school will be informed as soon as possible – usually within 5 working days. If a child fails to gain a place because their class is full, then he or she will normally be offered a place on the waiting list.
3. Parents agree to either pay the first tems's fees in full or establish a monthly standing order 6 weeks before their child's start date.
4. Relinquishing a place: parents are liable for a full-term’s fees should they relinquish their child’s place after the 30th of June prior to entry. Once the academic year has begun, should parents wish to withdraw their child from Heritage, they will be expected to pay the following term's fees unless a full term's notice has been given.
5. Heritage will keep a confidential 'Admissions Record' of each applicant.

Entry Points

1. The usual entry points are at year 0 (4+), although pupils may be accepted at other points if places are available.
2. For the purposes of entry applicants' ages are calculated according to UK custom. Heritage does not rigidly apply the 1 September birthday watershed for determining the applicant's eligibility for entry, but an applicant whose birthday falls after 1 September in the year of entry will need to demonstrate that he/she is of sufficient maturity to cope with the academic and social demands that come with participation in an older year group.
3. Ocasionally, an applicant may have fallen behind in his/her education due to illness, time spent abroad, etc. In such a case, Heritage may offer a place in a year lower than the applicant's age would normally imply. Occasionally, Heritage may also offer an outstanding applicant a place in a year ahead of his/her chronological age group. Parents or guardians will be consulted before such an offer is made, but the decision as to the appropriate year for the applicant, taking into account all relevant circumstances, is a matter for the Trustees and Headteacher, whose decision is final.

Selection

1. The conditions for admission to Heritage are as follows:
   • The applicant is of appropriate age and sufficient maturity.
   • Heritage is able to provide adequately for any special needs that the applicant may have.
   • Heritage, having made reasonable adjustment, has the capacity to cope with any disability the applicant may have.
   • The applicants present school or nursery reports satisfactory attitudes and conduct on the part of parents/guardians and the applicant.
   • The parents/guardians of the applicant are supportive of Heritage's educational values and Christian ethos.
   • A satisfactory interview between Heritage and the applicant's parents or guardians and with the child in question has taken place.
2. In the case where an application is unsuccessful, Heritage is not obliged to state or explain its reasons.

Interview with parents

1. The aim of the interview is to explore some of the criteria set out above. The style of the interview is intended to be informal and natural.
2. The interview provides a further opportunity for families to decide upon the appropriateness of the school for their child. It also enables Heritage to learn a more about the family and their child.
3. The interview is ordinarily carried out by the Headteacher and other staff as appropriate.

Special Educational Needs and Disability

1. Heritage has limited facilities for the disabled but will do all that is reasonable to comply with its legal and moral responsibilities under the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001. Heritage hopes to be able to cater adequately for pupils with disabilities by making reasonable adjustments to the school facilities.
2. Parents/guardians of an applicant who has a disability and/or a special educational need should provide Heritage with full written details when applying for admission. Where possible, this information should be sent to the school at least one week before the applicant's first visit to the school.
3. Heritage will use this information to assess the applicant's needs and make sure the school can provide adequately for the applicant should he or she be offered a place.
4. Heritage will consult with parents/guardians about the adjustments which can reasonably be made for the applicant during the admission process and later as a pupil.

Bursaries

1. Bursaries are not currently available but we hope to offer them as Heritage becomes more established.
2. Bursaries will be means tested and parents or guardians will be required to provide detailed financial information and may be interviewed by the Headteacher or Trustees in relation to their application. Heritage may require this interview to take place at the home of the applicant.
3. The award of a bursary will be tenable for 12 months, but may be renewed thereafter. Both the level of bursary and the financial circumstances of the parents/guardians will be reviewed annually. The award of a bursary will be entirely at the discretion of Trustees.