ADMISSIONS POLICY
The High School of Glasgow is an independent, co-educational, non-denominational school with a Christian background and seeks to foster traditional standards and values and a concern for others. It has developed a character in which pupils of any religious persuasion benefit from the atmosphere of mutual tolerance and respect. Applications are welcomed from any parent who believes our educational provision will benefit their child.
The High School operates an Accessibility Policy and the organisation of Entrance Tests/Assessments may be adapted to ensure that pupils with a disability are not disadvantaged unfairly. For this purpose, parents receive a Personal Information Form prior to their child’s Entrance Test/Assessment.
Applications for entry to Kindergarten to Junior 6 (Junior School) and Transitus to Senior 4 (Senior School) may be submitted at any time up to mid-January for the following August. Entrance Tests for Junior 2 to Senior 4 are held towards the end of January, but interviews for Kindergarten and Junior 1 take place from early January onwards.
Applications for entry to Senior 5 and Senior 6 may be submitted at any time.
Any pupil’s continued attendance at the School will be dependent on satisfactory progress and behaviour complying with the rules and regulations of the School. The School operates a Suspensions and Expulsion policy which may be applied if the School’s code of behaviour is breached. On signing the School’s Enrolment Form, parents accept their contractual obligation to the regular payment of school fees.
The School has a Complaints Policy which is issued to parents when a pupil joins the School.
This Admissions Policy is regularly monitored and reviewed and may be subject to change.
Criteria for Admission
Pupils are normally admitted to the School after an interview or Entrance Test, through which the School can assess each individual’s potential to benefit from our educational provision. Where the School is over-subscribed for any age group, selection of pupils will be based on merit on the grounds of ability and aptitude (see Criteria for Selection).
There are three principal stages for entry:
- Kindergarten (3½ / 4 years)
- Transitus (= Primary 7) (aged 11 years)
- First Year (aged 12 years)
Although children are admitted at all stages when vacancies occur.
All applicants are invited to an Entrance Test for the appropriate age group, based on dates of birth between 1 March and 28 February the following year.
ENTRANCE TESTS/ASSESSMENTS
Timing
Entrance Tests for pupils from Junior 2 to Senior 4 take place on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 (and on the equivalent date in future years). Tests for Junior 2 to Junior 6 are held at the Junior School and for Transitus to Senior 4 at the Senior School. Kindergarten and Junior 1 applicants are invited to the Junior School for individual assessments during January and applicants for Senior 5 and Senior 6 attend the Senior School for interview and assessment by individual arrangement. In special circumstances, candidates may be able to take the Entrance Test or Assessment at another time, e.g. when an unexpected vacancy has occurred, or with a view to joining the Waiting List for a particular year group. Families moving to the Glasgow area at any time of year may wish to confirm the current position regarding vacancies at any year group.
Criteria for Selection
The High School selects pupils on the grounds of ability and aptitude. The Assessment is based on performance in Entrance Tests, interview and information on academic progress, social skills and participation/aptitude in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities. A report is requested from each candidate’s current school.
Where the School is over-subscribed at any age group, performance in all aspects of the above Assessment is taken into account. At Transitus and First Year entry, only those who perform well in the written Entrance Tests are invited for subsequent interview. When we assess performance, we do so primarily by referring to the scores of the peer group being assessed and to the number of places available, but we also have regard to benchmark scoring for previous assessment exercises.
As a family school, particular consideration will be given to siblings of brothers and sisters currently attending the School if they are of the academic standard to perform satisfactorily in the Entrance Assessment and benefit from the School’s educational provision. Likewise, consideration will be given to the children of families who have existing or previous connections with the School.
The School can offer reasonable assistance to pupils who have additional support needs and there are Learning Support Teachers at the Junior and Senior Schools. However, candidates need to be of the academic standard which will allow them to benefit from the School’s educational provision.
Bursaries
The High School of Glasgow has a Bursary Fund to enable pupils to attend the School who would not otherwise be able to do so. Pupils already in the High School are also eligible for bursaries when a degree of financial need has arisen. Bursaries are, however, only available at the Senior School.
Bursaries are awarded mainly on academic merit, but the value of each award depends on financial need and may vary from year to year. A Bursary will usually continue throughout a child’s time at the Senior School, but the continuation of a Bursary is dependent on satisfactory standards of academic achievement and behaviour.
Parents wishing to apply for Bursaries for children who are not already at the High School should complete the main Application Form and also the Bursary Application Form. Children will be asked to sit the normal Entrance Tests. Parents of successful applicants will be asked to complete a confidential declaration of financial circumstances before they are notified of the value of the Bursary.
There will be no public announcement of the awards of Bursaries and no distinction will be made between the holders of bursaries and full fee-paying pupils.
The Admissions Process
Admissions information can be obtained from the Rector’s PA (Senior School) or from the Head Teacher’s Secretary (Junior School). A non-refundable registration fee of £30 is payable on submitting an Application Form to the Rector, The High School of Glasgow, 637 Crow Road, Glasgow G13 1PL (for entry to Transitus to Senior 6) or to the Head Teacher, The High School of Glasgow Junior School, 27 Ledcameroch Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 4AE (Kindergarten to Junior 6). The registration fee helps to cover the cost of processing your application, including administering and marking the Assessment.
We shall write to confirm that we have received your application. The timing of your child’s Assessment will be related to your proposed date of entry, ie usually in the January prior to the August when entry is desired, except when there are candidates for a vacancy at another time and we will write to you again nearer the time, giving you a date and further details about the Assessment.
Annual Open Morning (Junior School) and Annual Open Evening (Senior School)
At the Junior School, an annual Open Morning takes place on the last Monday in October each year, to give prospective parents and pupils an opportunity to see around the School. Staff and senior pupil guides escort visitors around classrooms and other facilities, giving parents an insight into school life.
In 2012 - 2013, Open Morning takes place on Monday, 29 October 2012 from 9.30 am until 12 noon.
At the Senior School, the annual Open Evening normally takes place on the second Monday evening in November each year, to give prospective parents and pupils an opportunity to see around the School. Third Year pupil guides escort visitors around classrooms and laboratories where displays and exhibits demonstrate what the School has to offer. The Rector delivers a brief introduction in the Assembly Hall and refreshments are available in the Refectory in the Jimmie Ireland Stand following the tour when staff are available to answer any questions.
Open Evening is the major event in the Admissions calendar, giving parents and pupils an insight into Senior School Life. For this reason, even those who have organised individual visits earlier in the year are encouraged to attend.
In 2012-2013, Open Evening takes place on Monday, 12 November 2012 from 7.00 pm until 9.30 pm approximately. Parents who have applied for places and those considering doing so are all welcome to attend the Open Evening with their children. Parking is available in the playground beside the Sports Complex.
Visiting the School throughout the year
Individual appointments to visit the School can be arranged throughout the year. Please contact the Rector’s PA (Senior School) or the Head Teacher’s Secretary (Junior School) to arrange an appointment.
Further information
To find out more about applying for a place, please contact the Rector’s PA, Mrs Jacqueline McGlone, on 0141 954 9628 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Senior School) or the Head Teacher’s Secretary, Mrs Helen Currie, on 0141 942 0158 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Junior School).
GUIDELINES FOR ENTRANCE TEST ASSESSMENT
Learning Support
Prior to Assessment, the parents of all applicants will be asked to complete a Personal Information Form, indicating any requirements which the School should take into account when assessing the child. For example, a child with an identified learning difficulty may receive a dispensation of extra time for each written paper, or a child with a physical difficulty may require special arrangements.
The format for assessment varies at different age groups:
For entry to Kindergarten and Junior 1
Applicants will be invited to attend the Junior School for an assessment of each child’s readiness to benefit from our educational provision. This is conducted on a 1:1 basis, lasting about 20 minutes, and involves an informal assessment of children through play.
Normally around 50 places are allocated using information gained at this assessment. A maximum of 54 places will be allocated in any year.
Entry to Junior 1 as for Kindergarten, with the number of vacancies dependent on the number moving to Junior 1 from the previous session’s Kindergarten, to a maximum number normally of 54 pupils.
For entry to Junior 2 - Junior 6
Applicants will be assessed on performance in tests of language and numeracy, and on the report of academic progress, social skills and participation/aptitude in expressive arts activities requested from each candidate’s current primary school. Normally there is a maximum of 54 pupils in any age group.
For entry to Transitus and First Year
The Assessment consists of papers in English and Maths and tests of potential in reasoning; in addition, a report on academic progress, social skills and participation/aptitude in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities requested from each candidate’s current school is also taken into consideration. As the final stage of assessment, those pupils who perform well in these assessments (see Admissions Policy Criteria for Selection) are invited back the following week with their parent(s) for interview; each candidate has a 1:1 interview with a member of the Senior Management Team.
Normally up to 34 places are allocated at Transitus, 12 places at First Year. The maximum number of pupils is normally 88 in Transitus and 100 in First Year.
For entry to Second to Fourth Year
The Assessment consists of papers in English and Maths and tests of potential and reasoning; in addition, a report on academic progress, social skills and participation/aptitude in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities requested from each candidate’s current school is also taken into consideration. Applicants are also asked to nominate two subjects they wish to study at Standard Grade/Intermediate 2 level, and the assessment includes a short interview with the relevant Heads of Departments for each subject, as well as interviews with the Rector and another member of the Senior Management Team.
There is normally a maximum of 100 pupils in each year group.
For entry to Fifth and Sixth Years
The Assessment consists of interviews with the Rector and a member of the Senior Management Team, evidence of the candidate’s performance at their current school on the national qualifications courses being studied and, where it exists, information on attainment in SQA exams. In addition, a report on academic progress, social skills and participation in expressive arts and extra-curricular activities requested from each candidate’s current school is also taken into consideration.
For an overseas candidate who is not a native English speaker, the Assessment also includes an English paper.
For an overseas candidate who is not a native English speaker, the Assessment also includes an English paper.
It is usually possible to admit extra pupils at these age groups, normally to a maximum of 104 in Fifth Year and between 100 and 104 in Sixth Year.
Notification of Results
For applicants at Kindergarten to Senior 4, results are sent by mail on the second Thursday in February according to the agreement between the majority of Glasgow independent schools. Those who have performed well but have not been successful in gaining places may be offered a waiting list place. Acceptance of places and waiting list places is required by the Thursday fourteen days later. The Rector or Head Teacher (Junior School) can be consulted if further explanation of the School’s decision is desired.
For Senior 5 and Senior 6, applicants will be informed of results as soon as is reasonably possible once all known candidates have been interviewed. Where possible we would aim to inform candidates of results before the end of the Easter holiday.
SUSPENSION, EXCLUSION & EXPULSION POLICY
All pupils are expected to comply with the Rules and Regulations of the School and ensure punctual and regular attendance at classes, examinations, sports and other activities as required by the School, including activities outwith the normal school day.
By signing the Enrolment Agreement, the parent(s) / person(s) having parental rights agree to comply with the Rules and Regulations of the School applicable to parents or pupils at the School, and to ensure that the pupil will comply with the Rules and Regulations of the School and be subject to any disciplinary sanctions imposed by the School. Likewise, pupils agree, upon reaching the age of 16 years, to be bound directly by such Rules and Regulations and to be subject to any disciplinary sanctions imposed by the School.
In the case of a material breach of School Rules, such sanctions may invoke the suspension, exclusion or expulsion of the pupil. The Rector is entitled to suspend the attendance of the pupil at the School for such period or periods as considered appropriate, but usually a period of three days, or exclude the pupil from classes or activities for a specified period. The Rector is also entitled to expel or require the withdrawal of the pupil from the School, and the pupil would cease to be a pupil at and not be entitled to attend the School from the date of the expulsion. The Head Teacher of the Junior School is also entitled to suspend or exclude a pupil, but would normally liaise with the Rector in advance of this decision.
In each case, the School would undertake to consider the matter carefully and fairly, taking individual circumstances into account. In such circumstances, the School would exercise its duty of care to safeguard the welfare of the pupil concerned and that of other pupils in the School.
In coming to a decision, the School would ensure that there is reliable evidence of misconduct to support that decision. The School would take into account the pupil’s previous record of good behaviour / misbehaviour and any other relevant circumstances, eg domestic situation, harassment at school.
The reasons for the decision will be explained so that the pupil and parents fully understand the position. Parents will be informed as soon as possible of a decision to suspend, exclude or expel. Parents would usually be asked to collect the pupil from the School or make arrangements for collection. In the case of suspension or expulsion, this would normally be before the pupil is allowed to leave the school premises.
In normal circumstances, the Chairman of Governors or the Vice-Chairman or another senior Governor will be appraised of the situation. The Rector will be willing to discuss the decision to suspend, exclude or expel the pupil with the parents.
Suspension is likely to be considered for serious misconduct, including physical assault, bullying, theft, malicious damage to property, racist abuse, sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse or smoking; also for repeated unwillingness to obey School Rules and Regulations, or misbehaviour in public likely to bring the School into disrepute. Please note that the aforementioned list is not exhaustive.
Exclusion from classes or activities is likely to be considered for ongoing misbehaviour which is causing disruption to other pupils’ education, has implications for safety or pupil welfare or involves an ongoing breach of School Rules and Regulations. Please note that the aforementioned list is not exhaustive.
Expulsion is likely to be considered for possession or partaking of illegal drugs, very serious misbehaviour beyond the normal level for suspension, or continued serious misconduct of the sort which has previously led to suspension. Please note that the aforementioned list is not exhaustive.
In some cases, the School may need to involve the Police (eg involvement with drugs or weapons, serious assault), or refer to Child Protection Procedures (eg for sexual abuse).
During the period of suspension, a pupil would not participate in any school activities, and would be expected to maintain progress in academic work. The School would endeavour to provide information about work within a reasonable timescale if requested to do so.
In certain circumstances, the School may recommend or request that parents seek ongoing support from professional or outside agencies (eg counselling, therapists, adolescent or family psychological services, careers advisers, etc).
Any parent wishing to appeal against a decision to suspend, exclude or expel shall write to the Chairman of Governors at the School address, indicating the grounds for the appeal. The Chairman, or Vice-Chairman in the event that the Chairman is unavailable or indisposed, will convene an Appeal Hearing within 7 days, at which the parents and their representative will be entitled to attend. A member of staff not involved in the original decision will be present to keep a record of the Hearing. The Chairman will write with the decision of the Appeal Hearing within 7 days thereafter.
On returning to school from suspension, a pupil will normally meet briefly with the appropriate member of Senior Management. Any further misconduct or serious breaches of School Rules and Regulations will be treated seriously, and the School may invite parents to a meeting regarding these concerns.
The School policy on suspension, exclusion and expulsion is regularly monitored and reviewed and may be subject to change.
