Admissions FAQs
Q. Are your schools co-educational?
Across our schools, we offer an educational pathway for boys and girls aged 3 through to 18.
We are fully co-educational at our Pre-Prep sites in Cambridge and Madingley, at Dame Bradbury’s School and at our 6th Form College.
In our Junior School and Senior School, we operate a Diamond Model between the ages of 9 and 16, which combines the social benefits of a co-educational setting with the academic strengths of single-sex learning - the best of both worlds.
Q. Can I visit the schools?
Yes, we'd love to meet you! You can come to one of our Open Events, alternatively you can book a personal visit.
Q. What is it like when I visit the school?
We recommend that, for your first visit, you attend an Open Event and listen to school leaders talk about our values and approach to education. You are then very welcome to book a personal visit and take a tour of any of our school sites on a normal school day. You will be guided by a senior member of staff who will be on hand to answer any queries you may have, from our curriculum to our lunch menu! Contact us to book a tour or find out more.
Q. What is the Dame Bradbury's assessment process?
At Dame Bradbury’s we will invite you in to see the school and your child to spend some time with us so we can get to know them and their interests. Dame Bradbury’s is selective school.
Q. How do I register my child for a place?
The first stage of the admissions process is to complete a Registration Form. You are always welcome to contact us for further information.
Q. Can I apply at any time of year?
Yes, with the exception of the 6th Form College.
Entrance testing for our Junior and Senior Schools usually takes place in the January before the September start (eg January 2019 for September 2019 entry). However, we understand that families are often looking for places at a new school at other times of the year, such as when relocating for a new job, so we are flexible wherever possible. We can often make arrangements for the assessments at a time to suit you - please contact us to discuss.
Q. Will you need to contact my child’s current school, as part of the admissions process?
We do require a satisfactory reference from your child’s current school. Our Registration Form includes an area for you to give your consent for us to contact the school: we never do so without your prior permission. If you do not want us to contact your child’s current school before a place is offered, we can comply with that, but the place will be conditional on receipt of a satisfactory reference.
Q. Do both parents have to sign the forms?
We require a signature from both parents/guardians who hold parental responsibility, except in exceptional circumstances.
Q. Will my child automatically get a place in the next school up?
There is an assessment that takes place between the Pre-Prep and Junior School/Prep, however it is very informal and happens during the school day and is more of an opportunity for staff to get to know the child in preparation for their move up to Year 3.
Currently transition from Year 6 to Year 7 is automatic, subject to satisfactory academic progress. If there are any concerns then we would arrange a series of consultations with the parents, well in advance of either transition. Transition from the Senior School to the 6th Form is conditional on GCSE results; students are given conditional offers at this stage and the basic threshold is at least 50 points at GCSE.
Q. My child needs additional learning support, is this something you can accommodate?
Yes; each of our schools benefits from the guidance of a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and if your child requires support we will work with you to ensure that his/her needs are met. In the event that our specialist teachers do not have the expertise necessary to plan for your child’s continued progress we would consult with an external specialist teacher with your agreement.
Q. Where are the schools?
We have schools in and around Cambridge, and in Saffron Walden. See our contact pages for maps of each school's location.
Q. Do you provide transport?
We run a shuttle minibus from Audley End Rail Station to the School for children from Year 1 upwards, which leaves the Audley End station bus stop daily at 07.45.
There is also a minibus from Babraham and Trumpington Park and Ride for children from Kindergarten upwards, which leaves at 07.50 and returns from Dame Bradbury’s at 16.30.
For further information regarding charges and booking please contact the Dame B's school office.
"Cultural diversity helps to make the school a rich and fulfilling environment for its pupils."
Isi Report 2014