Lambrook has recently become the topic of much discussion with Prince Williams children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis starting this academic year. All three great-grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II, have followed in the footsteps of Queen Victoria’s grandsons, who were pupils of Lambrook in 1878. Noticeably, the Royals have started the school at varying ages. This is because the school encourages prospective students to start their journey from Nursery to Year 7, although the common points of entry are at years 3, 4 and 7. Entry to Lambrook is dependent on the school’s ability to meet the needs of the pupil, consequently a personal visit is required, in addition to the common entrance exams.
Stage 1: Registration and References
The first step of the process is to register via an online registration form, expressing your interest and ambition for your child to attend. After completion of the online registration form, references are requested from the candidate’s current school in order to obtain the relevant material to make a basic judgement of the character and academic level of the student. At this stage, applicants have the opportunity to declare whether they have any relevant connection to Lambrook. Although this does not guarantee entry, in our experience, students who have a Lambrookian sibling, parents as alumni or other contacts are prioritised. If there are no spaces available, a child will be placed on a waiting list. For the Pre-Preparatory school, parents are advised to register as early as possible and registration for the Preparatory school should be completed at least a year in advance.
Stage 2: Visit to the school and Interview with the Headmaster
After registering, it is required that you attend an appointment with the Headmaster Jonathan Perry and to also visit the school in person for a tour of the buildings, facilities and grounds. This allows both parties to consider whether the school is right for the child and if Lambrook can meet the needs of the pupil.
Relaxation is important at the interview stage, as overly rehearsed answers are obvious to the interviewer. The best way to do this is practice with somebody who knows the format and expectations of an Independent School interview. Our tutors are well-versed in the often peculiar assessment techniques included in a school interview, with many of them having been involved in the interview process itself. At this stage, our mentors have also had great success at building a natural confidence to ensure our students flourish during interviews.
Stage 3: Assessment
In the admissions process for entry into Early Years, Year 1 and Year 2, children will be assessed informally. The assessment day for the Pre-Preparatory school is usually held in January. For entry into the Preparatory school, children are not only assessed on their English, Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning, but on four other criteria also: academic ability, wider interests, character and general behaviour. Mathematics is comprised of mental arithmetic, problem solving and times tables, whereas English is focussed primarily on reading, writing and oral inference, punctuation and grammar. The Non-Verbal reasoning assessment aims to discover a child’s ability to understand, interpret, problem solve and tests logic and intelligence. Assessments for entry into Year 4 take place in November, whereas entry into Year 7 is assessed in October.
On the condition that you have passed the assessments and have therefore been accepted into the school, you are offered a place in writing. You will then be asked for the deposit and to complete the acceptance of place form (this is the formal contract).
Contact Think Tutors
Organising tuition or mentoring with one of Think Tutors elite tutors or mentors is an excellent way to gain an advantage in the application process. With a 100% success rate for school entrance, our tutors are experts at improving results through practice, comprehensive planning and confidence building.