Newton Prep is a co-educational independent school for boys and girls from ages 3 to 13 (Nursery to Year 8). The school has over 600 pupils all of whom are day pupils. Newton Prep is a school which suits and meets the needs of bright, enthusiastic and inquisitive children. It is forward thinking and dynamic. We are wholly committed to the dual aims of helping children achieve their academic potential whilst also enjoying their precious childhood years.
Deciding on the ‘right’ school for your child is one of the most important decisions parents will make. We believe that a personal visit is invaluable in this process as you will have the chance to meet the Head, to see the outstanding facilities here but also you will meet some of the children and staff. We hold regular open mornings throughout the academic year for smaller groups of parents. We also hold an annual Open Day in the Autumn Term for any interested families, which gives a general introduction to the School. Details are published on our website. We are also very happy to welcome prospective parents and their children at other times, by appointment. Please contact the Head of Admissions on 020 7720 4091 Ext 1207 or email admissions@newtonprep.co.uk.
Our biggest points of entry are for Nursery, Reception and Year 3. There are often ‘occasional places’ available in other year groups. All children are assessed before being offered a place at Newton Prep. We try very hard to ensure that the assessment process is enjoyable, giving the children the opportunity to meet and play with others in their year group and to feel relaxed enough to be themselves.
If you would like to register your child for admission please complete the application form here. Once we receive your information our Head of Admissions will be in touch to complete your registration and arrange your child’s assessment.
Head of Admissions
Nursery (3+ Entry)
We have two classes in Nursery, each with about 24 children. There is plenty going on to excite the children’s interest and enthusiasm for learning. All children stay for five mornings (children can be dropped off from 8am) and many stay for full days, eating a school lunch. Children are collected between 3.30 and 4pm.
Children must have had their third birthday before 1st September in their year of entry. Parents may register their child at any time up to the 30th September of the year before entry. We do not operate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Applications regularly exceed the number of places available. Provided children are meeting all of the expected developmental milestones, Newton Prep siblings will be given priority when applying for places in Nursery. Beyond that, our intention when offering places is to ensure an even balance of boys and girls and an even spread of autumn, spring and summer birthdays. Children are invited to a Nursery ‘playdate’ in the Autumn Term so that we can assess whether we believe the children will flourish in our Nursery setting. Offers will be made before the end of the Autumn Term . Children will usually need functioning English and priority will be given to local families who will be able to manage the journey to school easily. We operate a waiting list so that families who do not receive an initial offer might receive one later in the year. Parents are asked to stay in close contact with the Head of Admissions if they still wish to be considered for a Nursery place. If a child does not gain a place in the Nursery, parents are welcome to transfer their application for a place in Reception; parents should let the Head of Admissions know if this is their wish. A child admitted to the Nursery may expect to transfer to Reception the following September unless it becomes clear that such a course is not in the child’s best interests. Our Nursery is not a ‘stand-alone’ school; in other words, entry to Nursery assumes the parents’ interest in their child continuing their education at Newton Prep.
Reception (4+ Entry)
We have four classes in Reception. These early years are so important as we lay the foundations that enable them to love learning.
For admission to Reception, children must have had their fourth birthday before 1st September in their year of entry. Parents may register their child at any time up to the first week of September in the year before entry. In the September and October of the year before entry, children being considered for Reception places will be invited to attend an assessment that aims to identify their academic potential. This assessment is conducted by experienced staff who will engage with the children to see how they relate to adults, their peers and the world around them. The teachers will have short meetings with individual children and they will observe the child in a small group setting. The academic assessments and the observations made by the staff will contribute to a judgement as to whether the child is likely to flourish in Reception at Newton Prep. Offers will usually be made by the end of November in the year before entry. The school operates a waiting list. If a child does not gain a place in Reception, parents are welcome to apply for places in later years subject to availability; parents should let the Head of Admissions know that this is their wish. A child admitted to Reception may expect to transfer to Key Stage 1 (Year 1) unless it becomes clear that such a course is not in the child’s best interests.
Parents of a summer born child may request not to send their child to school until the September following their fifth birthday which would mean their child would be admitted out of their normal age group i.e. into Reception rather than Year 1. This request would need to be discussed with the School at the point of registration.
Occasional Places Years 1-2 (5+ and 6+ Entry)
Occasional places in Years 1 and 2 might become available. Children will be invited to spend some time at the School (usually a morning). They will do a range of informal assessments in mathematics, English (both reading and writing) and reasoning. Teachers will observe their social interactions and their attitude to work. The academic assessments, the observations made by the staff and any references or recommendations from their current school.
Children are challenged and motivated to achieve results beyond their natural expectations. Every lesson is carefully planned and structured. We want children to work hard in the classroom, to involve themselves in the incredible range of clubs and activities at the school and to be kind and generous-spirited in their attitude. We have four classes per year group from Year 3 to Year 6, with approximately 20 pupils in each class.
Occasional Places Years 3-6 (7+, 8+, 9+, 10+ entry)
Occasional places in Years 4, 5, 6 and 8 might become available. Again, admission is by competitive testing and by interview. The pitch and pace of our curriculum are ambitious, so we need to be sure that the children who come here will thrive. Children sit a range of assessments in Maths, English and Reasoning. They will also take part in formal or informal group discussions (depending on their age). Assessments usually take place early in the Spring Term of the year of entry. The academic assessments and the observations made by the staff will contribute to a judgement as to whether the child is likely to flourish at Newton Prep.
There might be the possibility of assessments taking place outside of the January/February assessment period if we have occasional places in a particular year group.
References may be sought from the Head of a candidate’s current School as part of the assessment process.
We also ask to see reports from the child’s current school to help us to make our decision.
Year 7 (11+ Entry)
In Year 7 and Year 8, we have smaller year groups. We offer an exciting curriculum which prepares them well for the various senior schools they will go to. We welcome applications for Year 7 entry. It is always helpful for us to know what plans a family has in place for their child’s education beyond Newton Prep. Several children join us to bridge the gap between a prep or primary school that finishes at age 11 before joining their senior school that starts at age 13.
Applicants sit tests in Maths, English and Reasoning, they complete a written task and take part in a group discussion. We also ask to see reports from the child’s current school to help us to make our decision.
