Years 7-11 Admissions

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Years 7-11 entry points

Our main entry points are Years 7 and 9. However, it is also possible for students to join us in Year 8 or Year 10 providing we have space in the year group. Our application process is the same regardless of entry point.

The application process

Our application process is designed for us to get to know you, and for you to get to know us.

Open Events
Start by attending one of our Open Events. These offer you a way to hear about what many of our students and parents say is what makes d’Overbroeck’s special – its environment. They will talk of it having a “friendly, encouraging, unstuffy, family atmosphere” where we are ambitious and celebrate success but want the journey to be as interesting as the destination. We focus on the things that matter and there is a real sense of mutual respect between staff and students- to a degree you won’t find in many other schools.
Learn more
School day visit
The next step would be to arrange for you to visit on a school day. This visit will begin with a tour of the school which is followed by a meeting with Mark Olejnik, Head of Years 7-11. We would usually expect your son or daughter to come with you though we can arrange an initial parent-only visit if you prefer.
Registration
At this point we would ask you to register your child. We normally begin our assessment process in the academic year preceding entry – i.e. students looking at joining in 2019 would be assessed from September 2018 onwards. However, for students applying to join Year 9 via Common Entrance, this can be brought forward if necessary.
Taster day
A taster day usually comes next, which gives your child a chance to experience life as a d’Overbroeck’s student – without doubt the best way to get to know the school. We assign a student ‘buddy’ in the relevant year group (students in Year 6 are looked after by our Year 7s) who will act as a guide throughout the day. The visit will include between five and eight lessons, depending on the timetable, as well as a chance to sample the famous d’Overbroeck’s lunch! We have only one visitor per class at any one time, so each teacher will have time to get to know your child during their visit.
Entrance exams
If the taster day goes well, both from our side and yours, then we would next arrange for your child to sit our entrance assessment. This consists of papers in Maths and English. For entry into Year 10 students will also be asked to sit a Non-Verbal Reasoning paper. Each test is designed to gauge the candidate’s current level of performance and no specific preparation is required. Students applying to join Year 7 will most likely attend one of our group Assessment Days during the Autumn term. Students looking to join Years 8, 9 or 10 come in on an ad hoc basis throughout the year. The tests take around two and a half hours to complete.
Decision-making
We will also contact your child’s school to request a reference. Once the taster day and assessment have taken place and the reference has been received, we will decide whether to offer your child a place. Our deadline for acceptance is usually around four weeks from the date on which you receive the offer letter.
Year 7 Transfer Day
Students who are enrolled to join Year 7 in September will be invited to attend our Transfer Day towards the end of the Summer term. The aim of this day is to help break the ice and make the first day of term a bit less nerve-wracking for everyone! Students take part in practical classes and have time to begin to get to know one another as individuals and as part of a group. The day ends with a tea party, which parents are warmly invited to attend.
The first day of term
The new academic year begins with a half-day induction session for all students. This gives them a chance to spend time with their Form Teacher and to familiarise themselves with their timetable and the layout of the school.

Entry requirements

We’re often asked about the academic requirements for entry into Years 7-11, and what we are looking for in a potential student in more general terms. Our school runs on openness, honesty and respect, and these are among the personal qualities we look for in a child. A sense of humour goes a long way too!

In terms of our entrance tests, the minimum level we require is roughly equivalent to the national average levels in Maths and English. However, our decisions are made based on much more than exam scores alone, and a child’s personality is just as important to us as their academic performance. We appreciate that visiting a school for the first time will always be a little nerve-wracking and this is why our admissions process takes place over several stages; we want your child to feel comfortable in the school so we can get to know them properly – and vice versa.

Want to get in touch?

Rob Barker

Registrar, Years 7-11
+44(0) 1865 688 700
rob.barker@doverbroecks.com

Years 7-11 Fees

From September 2020
Initial Charges
  • Registration fee: £125
  • Acceptance fee: £1200
Tuition fees
  • Termly fee: £6050
Other Charges
  • Lunch*: £330
  • Instrumental Music/Voice**: £34

* Per term (equivalent to around £5 per day)
** 35 minute session

Scholarships

We offer scholarships for those entering Years 7 and 9. Awards are made to students who will make a considerable contribution to the life of the school, and who show outstanding ability and potential. Scholarships are available in the following areas:

Academic
This rewards outstanding academic potential and requires evidence of a high level of academic achievement to date. Candidates sit examinations across a range of subjects, usually Maths, English, Science and Humanities. Applications for Academic Scholarships are by invitation only, based on scores in our entrance examinations. If we are able to invite your child to apply for an Academic Scholarship, this will be mentioned in their offer letter. Academic Scholarship candidates may also apply for either an Art, Music or Drama Scholarship. However, whilst we may choose to make two awards, only one would carry a financial value.
Art
This scholarship recognises outstanding talent in the visual/fine arts, demonstrated by a portfolio of work. Candidates spend half a day in school producing a piece of work and discussing their portfolio.
Performing Arts
Candidates demonstrating an outstanding talent and enthusiasm for Music, Drama or both may be awarded a performing arts scholarship. They will need to demonstrate commitment and play a very active role in school productions and other performing arts activities.

Term Dates

2019-2020
Autumn
  • Starts: Tue 03 Sep 2019
  • Half-term: Fri 18 Oct - Mon 28 Oct 2019
  • Ends: Fri 13 Dec 2019
Spring
  • Starts: Mon 06 Jan 2020
  • Half-term: Fri 14 Feb - Sun 31 May 2020
  • Ends: Fri o3 Apr 2020
Summer
  • Starts: Mon 27 Apr 2020
  • Half-term: Sat 23 May - Sun 31 May 2020
  • Ends: Fri 03 Jul 2020
Bank Holidays
  • Fri 08 May 2020*

*Changed date from 04 May due to the 75th Anniversary of VE day

Important Information

Examination entry fees

Examination entry fees will depend on the number of public examinations taken in each session.

Please note that additional fees may apply where special examination arrangements have to be made for a particular candidate:

Use of a word-processor – £20 per exam taken
Provision of a scribe / reader – £47 per exam taken

Overall, examination fees are usually around £400, depending on the number of exams taken.

Textbooks

Students may collect their recommended course books at the school on Induction Day. The charge for these will be added to the student’s bill.

Text Book charges vary depending on which subjects are taken but range between £5.99 and £30 per book and are usually invoiced on the Spring Term invoice. Typically the total cost is around £120.

Optional Insurance Cover

Fees refund scheme:
Parents may, if they choose to do so, participate in a Fees Refund Scheme administered by the school’s insurers, Marsh Ltd. The scheme provides for a pro-rata refund of fees in certain cases of absence due to illness. The cost for this is 0.75% of fees paid.

Personal accident insurance:
£13.38 per term – for cover up to £1,000,000

Personal Effects insurance:
£8.57 per term

Full details are sent with the first term’s bill, and further copies may be obtained from the Bursary at any point.

Trips & Visits

These will vary depending on the nature of the trip. Parental consent will be sought in advance for chargeable trips. These trips may vary from a trip to a local event or conference costing around £30 to an optional overseas expedition costing £3,500.

Exceptional Arrangements

Exceptional arrangements such as supplementary one-to-one teaching, or teaching for a GCSE subject studied in the Sixth Form, will incur additional tuition fees. Supplementary one-to-one teaching that is arranged over and above the standard course is charged at £49 per hour. Arrangements of this kind are exceptional and, where such support is deemed necessary, it will always have been discussed and agreed in advance with parents.

Ready to join us?

Apply now