London School Guide for Schlumberger

Private schools Private schools (also known as independent schools) are fee paying school that are not dependent on the government. Fees vary from school to school. Admissions Process – Key points + You can apply for a school at any time, even before you arrive if you’d like to + At the time you apply for the school you will have to pay an application fee per children (around £150-£300 each) + Many schools require children to sit an entrance test of have a taster day before finalizing the place. Choosing a school Again, it’s important to get as much information as possible about the schools you are interested in by referring to the school’s website and/or a prospectus. Private schools are always keen to invite you to see the school and will take time to answer your questions carefully. OFSTED Inspection Reports Although it is not compulsory for private schools to be tested by OFSTED most will choose to be and you will find their reports on the OFSTED website, just as you would with a state school. English Language Support Unlike state schools, many private schools will not take non-English speaking children over the age of 6 or 7. Some schools will offer ESL (English as a second language) support but at an extra cost and the level of this support is not usually very high, i.e. it’s targeted at those who already speak English and need a bit of help rather than those who need to learn English as a completely new language. Special Needs Assistance (SEN) Again, unlike state schools, many private schools do not have the capacity to accept children with special needs unless they are a specialist school. Some schools are able to offer extra help though a support teacher, though this will be at an additional cost. Transport for School Many private schools have their own fleet of minibuses which can pick up children in the morning and drop them home after school, this will be an additional cost. The buses usually have routes that they take which can be altered to accommodate demand. The admissions process is simpler than for state schools and below are the key points to consider; www.ofsted.gov.uk

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