Students are admitted to Padworth College without prejudice as to disability, gender, race, colour or creed, as befits a non- denominational College with a strong international base. Boarding places will obviously be subject to availability. We seek to achieve a successful balance between the College and its students, maintaining the character of the College and supporting its ethos. This also means that we aim to achieve a reasonable overall balance between gender and nationalities.

Prospective students and their parents/carers are encouraged to visit the College, although we realise that for international students, this is not always possible. When visiting, the College will make reasonable access arrangements for students with additional needs, in line with our Disability Access Policy. During the visit, the Principal will assess how a prospective student will integrate into the community and thrive at Padworth. We aim to see the prospective student’s academic record from the previous school and a report/recommendation from the Head. When we require more information, we may ask for an Educational Psychologist’s or other appropriate professional’s report. It is usually possible for prospective students to spend a ‘taster day’ in College, as part of the admissions process.

Many of the overseas admissions are made via educational agents. The College encourages visits from agents and the Principal or her representatives always endeavour to meet agents to discuss admissions when on overseas marketing trips or when agents are visiting the UK. Additionally, the Principal and other relevant staff will always discuss possible applicants with agents via telephone and/or e-mail and advise accordingly.

We accept students between the ages of 13-19. Because of the variety of courses on offer and the varying educational backgrounds/requirements of our students, we are flexible as to when a student arrives during the academic year. Staff are experienced in helping students to settle in quickly, both academically and pastorally. Upon entry, all international students undergo English testing to ascertain their level of proficiency so that appropriate lessons/support can be timetabled by our International Study Centre Director. Thus, a student’s level of English is not a barrier to entry.

The first stage in the admissions process is for the Registration Form to be returned with the student’s latest academic reports or statement of results and a letter of recommendation from their current or last Headteacher and the requisite Registration fee and Deposit paid. The Registration Form also sets out our expectations as to the payment of fees and the period of notice required for the withdrawal of a student from the College. The Registration fee is non-returnable and the Deposit is held for the duration of the student’s course and then credited to their final account. The Registration Deposit confirms the place for the student and the fees are then payable termly in advance on the first day of each term.

Each application is considered by the Principal on an individual basis and where an application is successful, the College will issue an Offer letter with an Acceptance Form which includes the terms and conditions. Where the parents wish to accept the offer of a place, they must sign and return the Acceptance Form.

Once this documentation has been received, the College will make arrangements to support visa applications, as appropriate. At this stage, the parents and student will be sent an Enrolment pack which includes a Parent Handbook, Invoice for the first terms fees and a number of forms (Medical form, Flight details form, Subject choice form, Contact details form, Student Contract and Absence from College form) to be completed and returned prior to the student starting their course. The Medical form is passed to the College Nurse for assessment and the production of Individual Care Plans, if appropriate.

Before offering a place at the College, we must feel reasonably sure that we will be able to educate and facilitate the development of the prospective student to the best of her/his potential and in line with the standards achieved by other students at the College. The College will make reasonable adjustments to cater for the needs of all applicants whilst giving equal importance to ensuring that no other student’s education is being impaired.
We wish the decision to join Padworth College to be an informed one, by both students and parents (and where appropriate, agents). Parents and carers are expected to support the College’s ethos, aims and expectations and all students and their parents are asked to sign our Student Contract. (A copy is also available in Mandarin on request).

The College has the final decision in all cases of admissions.

 September 2011