Joining us
admissions overview
General admission
We accept children at any age from Reception (aged 4) to Year 8 (aged 12), although the main point of entry from September 2024 will be from Reception. Places further up the school will be limited to occasional places only.
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Most pupils join the school in September, but there is also the possibility of joining us in either January or April, subject to availability.
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The admissions process
We aim to make our admissions procedure as straightforward as possible. Our Registrar, Fi Kaye, is here to support families through every step of the admissions process.
You can contact her directly with any enquiries.
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0207 373 3944
Arranging a visit
You are welcome to visit us at any time to meet the Head Master and tour the School. This is valuable so that the School’s values and approach are clearly understood.
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Additionally, regular open days are held throughout the year. We limit numbers at these events and they do tend to fill up, so registration is required and early registration encouraged. At our open days, guests gain an insight into the values and approach of the School, and receive a tour from some of our older pupils. Other than a route map, our tour guides are not prepped and serve as excellent responders to a variety of general questions.
Parents can register attendance at an open day here.
Registration
Registration
Before proceeding to an assessment, all candidates must be registered via the Registrar, Mrs Fiona Kaye, and pay a non-refundable registration fee of £150 (£200 if overseas). The deadline for registration is 1st October in the year preceding the intended date of entry entry (for example, October 2024 for entry in September 2025.​
Can we still register after 1st October?
On the understanding that places may not be available at times outside out our assessment window, parents will still be able to register.
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Must I or my son be Catholic for him to register and join St Philips?
Our Catholic values are at the heart of all we do, and are attractive to those of a strong Catholic faith, other faiths, and no faith at all. We have a rich heritage of welcoming applications from all families who commit to support the values of the school and the traditions and ideals of the Catholic Church. While the majority of our families are Catholic, a significant proportion are not; all have found a welcoming home.
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Special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)
St Philip’s will act in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) will not be put at a substantial disadvantage in matters of admission and the School will take reasonable measures to support a child with physical difficulties and, where possible, make adjustments for accessibility.
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Parents of boys who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are required to inform the school about these at registration and to provide the relevant reports. For all years of entry, the school requires that all historic and current documentation, including educational psychologist reports, relevant medical documentation and school reports, is submitted to the Registrar before boys participate in the admissions process. If it becomes apparent that relevant information was withheld from the school before participation in the admissions process, it reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place.
In turn, the Registrar will also liaise with our learning support staff to assess whether the school is able to meet a boy’s needs and, if so, will ensure that reasonable adjustments are made within the school’s capacity and
resources.
Assessment
The assessment process
Once parents have visited the School and completed the registration process, boys will be invited to attend an informal assessment, known as a 'play day' at St Philip’s.
The play day will be informal in nature from the point of view of the boys. From the point of view of the assessors, we always look for potential and ‘teachability’ as opposed to outright attainment. To assess this, we will observe boys in small groups and focus on creative play, structured play using building blocks and sequencing material, phonics, and communication and social interaction skills. We are looking for boys who will thrive in our setting and contribute to it positively.
Occasional places
Children intended for entry at in years beyond Reception will be asked to attend one of our half-termly assessment days.
Assessment for occasional places will include reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary and mathematics. Wherever possible, current reports should be sent to St Philip's in advance of the assessment.
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Our Registrar will contact you ahead of the two assessment days to organise a convenient time for your child(ren) to be assessed.
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Offer
Offer of a place
Once registered candidates have been assessed and all supporting evidence, such as reports from the candidate's current setting or school, St Philip's will be in a position to make a formal offer. This will be sent in writing alongside with an acceptance form and a copy of our standard terms and conditions.
Sibling policy
It is our strong preference to keep families together wherever possible. Providing boys meet our entry requirements at point of assessments, all siblings will be given preference on our lists.
Acceptance
Acceptance
Acceptance will made in writing at which point we will require parents to complete a series of forms which will be sent to you via our Registrar relating to:
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your acceptance of the St Philip's terms and conditions
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your official acceptance of a place
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proof of your son's identity and, if appropriate, their baptism
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At this point, we will require payment of a deposit to confirm your son's place at the school. This will be returned to you upon his exit from the school.
Fees
Fees
Fees are payable termly and in advance. Fees for 2024-2025, are £7,825 per term, excl. VAT/government taxes. Elder siblings are entitled to a discount of 10%.
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Upon acceptance of a place a £1,900 deposit is required.
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If you are an existing parent, and wish to pay your fees via an online banking facility, please contact the School Bursar.
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Bursar – Mr Simon Knee (simon@sdknee.com)
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Financial support - external candidates
As an independent charitable trust, St Philip’s School is committed to broadening access by offering to eligible parents/guardians means-tested financial support to ensure the payment of school fees. The school offers a number of entrance bursaries at 7+, 8+ and in-year placements of up to 100% of tuition fees. All bursary applications are subject to annual means testing and may be varied upwards or downwards depending on parental circumstances and financial information provided on review.
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As part of the registration process, parents have the opportunity to request a bursary application form. This is usually done when meeting the Head Master or Registrar upon visiting the School, but may be requested via the School Office at any time.
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The school uses Bursary Administration Ltd to review and assess entrance bursary applications. This may include a home visit which, by necessity, will be at short notice. If a bursary assessment includes a home visit, Bursary Administration Ltd will contact the applicants directly.
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Bursary application assessments are conducted independently of the academic selection process. No action regarding a bursary application should be considered as indicative as to whether an offer of a place in the school will be made.
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Financial support - internal candidates
St Philip’s School has limited bursarial funds to provide short term assistance to current parents where there has been an unforeseen change in financial circumstances. Such awards are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
