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Everything you need to know about the private school admissions process

When it comes to getting your child into a private school, you need to be aware of how the admissions process works. 

This article will dive deep into the private school admissions process, providing you with everything you need to know. We will be focusing primarily on the main Admissions process where families are looking for entry the following August.
 

See the School

Before you start applying, it is advisable to first see the school in person.

Open Events are a great way to explore the school and see what it has to offer. You can meet teachers, see the facilities, and learn about what makes a school special.

Additionally, if you can’t attend an Open Event at the specified dates, you can always come and visit our school throughout the year as we offer bespoke tours year-round. Simply get in touch with Admissions to arrange a time.
 

Make an Enquiry

Making an enquiry is often the first port of call in a private school’s admissions process. This indicates that you are interested in finding out more about the school and the admissions process. The admissions team will be in touch to assist with the next steps and answer any questions you might have.
 

Send an Application

To make an enquiry or to apply, simply visit our Admissions Portal. When you send in an application, all private schools require a non-refundable fee - this is a nominal amount which covers the cost of processing your application, including administering and marking the assessment.

Applications should be submitted as soon as possible. 

Please note, applications for immediate entry are accepted year-round and offers will be subject to availability.
 

Entrance Assessments for entry in the new session in August

Once you have sent your application, Senior School applicants take part in Entrance Assessments in January. Junior 2 to Junior 6 take part in Getting To Know You Days in January.

For entry to Kindergarten 1 or Kindergarten 2

There is no formal assessment but your child will be invited for an observed session of play lasting approximately 45 minutes.

For entry to Junior 1

Applicants will be invited to attend the Junior School in December for an observed play assessment of your child’s readiness to benefit from our educational provision lasting approximately 45 minutes.

For entry to Junior 2 – Junior 6

During the Getting To Know You Day applicants will be immersed within a classroom where we assess performance in literacy and numeracy. A report of academic progress, social skills and participation/aptitude in expressive arts activities will be requested from each candidate’s current primary school.
 

For entry to Transitus (Primary 7) and Senior 1

The Assessment consists of papers in English and Maths and tests of potential in reasoning; in addition, a report on academic progress, social skills and participation/aptitude in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities requested from each candidate’s current school is also taken into consideration.  

If they’re successful in the assessments, we’ll call them back for an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
 

For entry to Senior 2 – 4

Applicants will be assessed on English, Maths and reasoning abilities in several tests. They’ll also have their progress, social skills, and aptitude in extra-curricular activities taken into consideration via reports from their current school.

Applicants will also have to nominate two subjects they wish to study at National 5, and they’ll be interviewed by the Heads of each Department, the Rector, and a member of staff from the Senior Leadership Team.
 

For entry to Senior 5 – 6

The Assessment at this stage is mostly interview-based. The applicant will take part in interviews with the Rector and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Their offer will also be based on their predicted and attained SQA grades.

As with all the previous years, both academic progress, social skills, and participation in extra-curricular activities will be assessed during this stage via requesting a recent school report from the candidate’s current school.
 

Acceptance

Following the formal entrance period ahead of an August start date, you’ll receive a letter, usually on the second Thursday in February, detailing whether your child has been offered a place at The High School of Glasgow. This applies to children entering Junior 2 to Senior 4. Acceptances are required by the fourth Thursday in February usually.

For children joining in Senior 5 – 6, outcomes will be sent out as soon as possible.
 

Concluding

The private school admissions process isn’t all that complicated, however, it does vary from school to school, but with the help of the above information, you shouldn’t have a problem navigating it.

If you need further guidance on how the admissions process works at The High School of Glasgow, consult our admissions policy or feel free to get in touch.