Policy Title ADMISSIONS POLICY

Purpose To provide an open, equitable and transparent approach to enrolling new students
and families into our school. To clearly identify and outline the roles and
responsibilities of all those involved in the sales and admissions procedures and
school arrangements that are connected with this policy. To ensure all students
are placed in the appropriate year level which supports the developmental
learning needs of children so they can access the British National Curriculum.
Scope School Operational and Academic Staff
Prepared by Headteacher
Date issued March 2020
Issue number To be determined
Person responsible Headteacher
Review date March 2021
Approved by Management Board
Reference to other Language Policy, Curriculum Policy, Tuition Fee Policy, New Student Induction
policies Policy, Equality/Non-discrimination Policy
Link to standards British National Curriculum: Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Ethos and Values,
Learning Resources, School Leadership/Management
COBIS: 2.0 Student Welfare, 3.0 Facilities, 5.0 Ethos and Values, 7.0 Teaching and
Learning, 9.0 Communication
Support documents Admissions Process Documents and Flowchart
Student Age Placement Chart
Data Protection Policy

Vision, Mission and Values

1. Admission to Riverside School is open to students of all nationalities, ethnicity and religion. The key
admission criterion is that a student will be able to access the programmes on offer at the school,
and will benefit from a challenging, international, English language national curriculum.
2. The overarching aim is to prepare students for higher education, lifelong learning and a life of
challenge, change and purpose guided by our vision of making a positive social impact by leading the
development of international education and mission of empowering students to fulfil their human
potential as responsible, open-minded global citizens through the development of high-quality
academic skills and social competencies.
3. Families wishing to join Riverside Schools must believe and align themselves with our school’s
values:
o People-centred: We are a community of teachers and learners who believe everyone is
a talent. This is our starting point. We believe in people (children) and value their
viewpoints.
o Open: We embrace dialogue encouraging the free and respectful exchange of opinions
and ideas.
o Responsible: We act mindfully and respectfully towards everyone and everything in our
environment. We take personal responsibility and accountability for our actions.
o Innovative: We believe learning goes beyond the classroom. We strive to continually
improve and trust there is always a better way of doing what we do.
o Globally-minded and diverse: We celebrate the individual differences and beliefs of all
people. We actively engage in the world and the communities in which we live.

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 Below are the values from our website, it is up to you, Gill, which ones to use

Children First: We place pupils at the core of our school. We believe in

the child and take great care to listen to, understand and respect each
child.
We created a safe, secure and sustainable learning environment where
all children feel valued and happy.
Responsiveness: We are responsive to each student’s individual
needs, embrace and listen to the voices of both children and parents.
Community: We treat our school community as family.
Creativity and Curiosity: We welcome curious minds and challenge
our students to use their imagination in learning.

4. The school admits students whose academic, personal, social, and emotional needs can be met
by the British educational programmes and services offered. Riverside also follows a dual
curriculum track: 75% international and British curriculum and 25% host country curriculum
preparing students for local and national examinations of the country.
Admission Requirements:
1. Before admitting a student, Riverside School will review all identity documentation, application
information, recent reports/transcripts from current and previous schools, as well as perform a
reference check with the current school, immunizations and health cards/certificates.
2. Applicants must also participate in academic assessments used to determine the students’ readiness
to attend school, access learning opportunities and ability to integrate with students already
studying at Riverside School.
3. Riverside School strictly adheres to the 1 st September entrance date for each academic year and
class based on UK placement standards which aligns student learning outcomes with progress tests
based on developmental age of the child. Exceptions are rare and can only be made when it will
benefit the student up to and including a cut-off date of 30 th September (remove at all?) at the
discretion of the Headteacher only.
4. Admission to the school and allocation to particular classes are authorised by Headteacher only.
5. The offer of a place may be unconditional or, for able students who need to improve their English
language ability, dependent upon successfully completing examinations before transitioning to full
mainstream classes.
6. Students of all abilities and from all nationalities are encouraged to apply. Riverside School is a
multi-cultural and multi-lingual educational community offering a dual curriculum: British National
and the national curriculum of the country. Our schools offer the very best of an enhanced and
well-rounded British education aligned to our mission of empowering all students to fulfil their
potential.
7. All students enrolled in the school must be able to access the curriculum through the medium of
English. Short-term English as an Additional Language (EAL) support will be provided where deemed
necessary and appropriate during the first year of attendance at the school or the second year at the
discretion of the Headteacher only. The extent to which support is provided will also be determined
by local school authorities in the case of additional educational needs.

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8. Applicants with specific additional educational needs requiring learning support will be admitted if
the school has the capacity to support them without detracting from the education being offered to
students already at the school. They will have an individual educational plan and their wellbeing will
be closely monitored.
9. Class sizes will be held at a maximum of 15 students.
10. We fully understand that an admission register must be kept by law and includes the 'personal
details of every student in the school, the date of admission or re-admission, information regarding
parents/carers and details of the school attended'; and that student attendance must be recorded.
11. We have a duty to ensure all students attend school regularly in order for them to fulfil their
potential as we believe that children with poor attendance will achieve less and may forfeit their
place if attendance does not improve to acceptable levels. All absences must be approved by the
Headteacher.

Language Ability and Specific Entry Requirements:

1. The guiding principle for admission to the school is to thrive in the English-language learning
environment as well as offer the opportunity to achieve the host country diploma based on the
national curriculum of the country.
2. English is the language of instruction in all years, and the goal is for students to successfully access
the curriculum within a reasonable time. Teachers are trained to support language acquisition and
learning by non-native English speakers, and specialist English teachers provide additional support
and instruction.
3. Students entering in Primary with non-native English-speaking skills will be asked to complete an
English test involving reading, writing and a verbal interview. Year 5 and older will sit a CAT test
online.
4. Students entering Lower Secondary (Year 7-9) need to demonstrate English proficiency. Non-native
English speakers will be required to do an entrance test either at school or online in their current
school. Any students requiring additional English support initially will be given a reduced timetable
with extra English classes.
5. Students entering the Senior Secondary School (Year 10-13) should have near-native English
proficiency and non-native speakers may be asked to complete and pass the Cambridge First
Certificate English test before entering Year 10. Eg: C1 and above. i think we should keep this points
for future.
6. Native Russian citizens will have to follow the Russian First Language Curriculum and will have a
placement assessment of their capacity to follow the Russian Programme to prepare for national
examinations. International students will follow Russian as an Additional Language (RAL) classes. All
children will study Russian according to the Russian Curriculum.

Academic Assessments
7. Children applying for Nursery and Reception are not required to have any prior knowledge of
English. Year 1 and 2 places, students applying for places in Year 3 and above must have an age-
appropriate level of spoken and written English. They will be required to sit an English language
assessment. They must also have an age-appropriate understanding of numeracy. Previous school
reports will also be requested. A meeting between the Headteacher and the student will be
arranged.
8. Students applying for places in the Secondary department (Years 7-11) must have an age-
appropriate level of spoken and written English. They will be required to sit an assessment of English

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 language and Maths. An academic school reference and the most recent school reports must be
submitted. A meeting between the Headteacher and the student will be arranged
9. Pre-University/Sixth Form (Years 12-13) candidates will be required to provide evidence they have
achieved 5 A*-C IGCSE in their previous studies. Candidates will also be required to present past
school reports and an academic school reference outlining their commitment to study and student
citizenship. Upon presenting this documentation, candidates will sit an assessment of English
language and Maths designed to assess if they have the level that will allow them to participate in
the Pre-University (AS/A Level) curriculum. Beyond this, candidates may be asked to sit exams
specific to the subject areas they wish to study, depending on each candidate’s individual
application. Lets keep these points for future
10. Upon meeting the above requirements, places will be offered depending on availability within the
subjects candidates wish to study.
11. In the event that candidates do not meet the above requirements, an application can be made to
the Pre-University Foundation course. The Foundation course requires an intermediate level of
English and is designed as an introduction to the British education system, through supporting
students to improve IGCSE marks and/or improve their English language skills. After completing the
one-year course, students will have the academic and English language skills required to participate
successfully in the Pre-University curriculum.

Admission Documents
In addition to a completed admission application, the following documents must be obtained before
assessments take place:

1. Copy of birth certificate or passport verifying child’s birthdate

2. Evidence of previous school registration and end of year completion documents
3. Copy of parent’s identification – mother and father

Admission Register
The admission register must:
1. contains an alphabetical index of all the students in the school;
2. register a student on the first day that we expect them to attend;
3. record the following information for each student:
o Student’s full name
o Gender
o Birthdate
o Parent’s name and address
o The name of the person who has custody of the child
o Emergency contact numbers of the parent/carer
o Admission date
o Name and address of the last school attended

Inspection and Preservation of Admission Registers

The admissions register and all attendance registers are available at all times for inspection by
authorities. The admission register will be retained indefinitely in line with international guidelines.

Ages at Entry:
All children will be placed in the year group only according to their age, this applies to all subjects.

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 National Curriculum
Age before 1st Year Stage
September

2 Pre- Early Years – Development Non statutory

Nursery Matters

3 Nursery Early Years Foundation Stage Non statutory

4 Reception Early Years Foundation Stage Non statutory

5 Year 1 Key Stage 1 Lower Primary Non statutory

6 Year 2 Key Stage 1 Lower Primary Non statutory

7 Year 3 Key Stage 2 Upper Primary 1st Grade

8 Year 4 Key Stage 2 Upper Primary 2nd Grade

9 Year 5 Key Stage 2 Upper Primary 3rd Grade

10 Year 6 Key Stage 2 Upper Primary 4th Grade

11 Year 7 Key Stage 3 Lower Secondary 5th Grade

12 Year 8 Key Stage 3 Lower Secondary 6th Grade

13 Year 9 Key Stage 3 Lower Secondary 7th Grade

14 Year 10 Key Stage 4 IGCSE 8th Grade

15 Year 11 Key Stage 4 IGCSE 9th Grade

16 Year 12 Key Stage 5 AS Level 10th Grade

17 Year 13 Key Stage 5 A2 Level 11th Grade

The British education system operates on the premise that students thrive best in their correct class age
groups. Differentiated teaching caters for differences in needs and abilities; the most able children are
challenged, while children needing support or more time are cared for and encouraged to fulfil their
potential. At Riverside, we believe that it is important for children to be with peers at a similar stage in
social maturity, and experience and educational research tells us that changes made early on may have
negative consequences later. For these reasons, we adhere to the policy of keeping children within their
correct age band.